Portugal U23 Championship
The Portugal U23 Championship (Campeonato Nacional de Juniores A or Liga Revelação) is a premier competition run by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), targeting players under 23 from Primeira and Liga Portugal 2 clubs. It underscores Portugal's commitment to youth development, nurturing talents who often graduate to senior squads and Europe's elite leagues.
History and foundation
Launched in its current form in 2011 as Liga de Honra Sub-23, it evolved from earlier junior setups. Standouts include Ruben Dias (Benfica), João Félix (Atlético Madrid), and Rafa Silva (Benfica). Sporting CP claimed the 2019 title with a record 82 points; COVID-19 truncated the 2020 season. Notably, in 2022, Porto thrashed Braga 6-0, setting a single-game goal record.
Tournament format
Featuring 12 teams split into North and South zones of six, the format starts with a double round-robin phase. Zone winners plus the best runners-up advance to playoffs: quarterfinals, semifinals, and a one-off final on neutral ground. Running from August to May, it blends league consistency with knockout excitement.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, emphasizing skill and pace. Leading scorers: Fábio Silva (Porto, 22 goals in 2019/20), Ederson (Famalicão, 18 in 2021/22). Key figures include Abel Ruiz (Braga to Sporting) and Gonçalo Ramos (Ronaldo's protégé). The league excels at exporting prospects to top European divisions.