Big Three (Portugal)

For the other groups of entities known as "Big Three" or "The Big Three", see Big Three (disambiguation).

The Big Three (Portuguese: Os Três Grandes) is the nickname of the three most successful sport clubs in Portugal. The football teams of S.L. Benfica of Lisbon, FC Porto of Porto and Sporting CP of Lisbon have a great rivalry, and are usually the main contenders for the title. They share all but two of the Portuguese Football Championships ever played and generally end up sharing the top three positions. None of them have been relegated from the Primeira Liga either, having been participants in all editions since its first season in 1934–35. The closest any side has come to relegation was Porto's 9th-place finish in 1969–70. Benfica's lowest position has been 6th in 2000–01, while Sporting's lowest position has been 7th in 2012–13.

The only two clubs outside the big three to have won the Portuguese league are Belenenses in the 1945–46 season and Boavista in the 2000–01 season.

The three-way rivalry

Benfica vs. Porto:

Main article: O Clássico

Benfica vs. Sporting:

Main article: Derby de Lisboa

Porto vs. Sporting:

Statistics

League placements

Club 1st 2nd 3rd
Benfica 35 27 15
Porto 27 25 13
Sporting 18 21 26

Footballers who have played for the three clubs

Managers who managed all three clubs

See also

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