Main Photo by Monika Guzikowska
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NICKNAME – Os Alvinegros (The Black and Whites), Os Nacionalistas
FOUNDED – 1910
LOCATED IN – Funchal, Madeira
STADIUM – Estádio da Madeira
CAPACITY – 5,132
RELEGATED – 2021
BEST LEAGUE FINISH – 4th (Twice)
BEST TAÇA DE PORTUGAL RUN – SF (4 times)
BEST TAÇA DA LIGA RUN – SF (2010/2011)
BEST UC/EL FINISH – Group Stage (2009/2010)
RECORD GOALSCORER – Serginho (119)
2021/2022 FINISH – 6th (Liga Portugal 2)
FIVE FACTS ABOUT CD NACIONAL
1. Limited to playing competitions in Madeira until the 1970s, Nacional enjoyed a brief period of dominance over their main island rivals, Marítimo, from the late 1930s to 1940s.
2. After receiving permission to compete against mainland opposition, their first taste of the top flight came in the 1988/1989 season, when they finished 10th.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club as a 10 year old in 1995 for the fee of 20 footballs and a few jerseys. The youth academy is named in his honour.
4. Due to a lack of affordable land in town, Nacional’s current stadium, built in 1998, is located way up in the mountains above Madeira in the Choupana district.
5. Their best ever performances came in the first decade of the 21st century, when they twice pipped Braga to fourth and made a few appearances in European competition.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT FUNCHAL’S CULTURE
1. Funchal and Madeira are best-known for the fortified wine they produce, simply known as “Madeira”. Mentioned by Shakespeare, it was the tipple chosen to toast the US Declaration of Independence.
2. Famous historic visitors include Polish Field Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, who came here for health reasons, and Winston Churchill, who painted during his stay.
3. “Funchal’s helmet” envelopes the city in June, when cloud cover relentlessly fills the sky.
4. The city limits rise from sea level to over 1000m and also include a nature reserve 280km distant known as the Ilhas Selvagens (The Savage Islands).
5. The Art of Open Doors Project, inaugurated in 2014, has brought a dash of colour to Rua de Santa Maria, featuring over 200 painted doors to admire.
OTHER PORTUGUESE CLUBS
Arouca, Aves, B-SAD, Benfica, Boavista, Braga, Casa Pia, Chaves, Estoril Praia, Famalicão, Farense, Gil Vicente, Marítimo, Moreirense, Nacional, Paços Ferreira, Portimonense, Porto, Rio Ave, Santa Clara, Sporting, Tondela, Vitória Guimarães, Vitória Setúbal, Vizela