Pinga would become the cornerstone upon which a side of revolutionary proportions was built, embodying the notion of altruism and garnering the admiration of all those around him. The press raised various doubts as to the transfer’s legality, with Stadium magazine pointing at suspected irregularities in the signatures, finishing with a curious statement: “The Porto Football Association is rich in mysteries…” Pinga first came to nationwide fame in the green and red of hometown club Marítimo (where he would later have a street named after him in Funchal) in 1930, and he was still playing for the Madeiran club when he earned his first call-up to the national team against Iberian rivals Spain.Ĭatching the eye of Portuguese footballing powerhouse Futebol Clube do Porto, Pinga landed on the mainland on 23 December 1930, debuting two days later amidst a flurry of surreptitiousness over his signing. Position: Forward, left-midfielder, winger Mitchell Rua profiles the driving force behind the famous 'Three Noon Devils'. Over 16 years at Porto, the adept forward and inside-left midfielder extraordinaire etched his name as the first legendary figure in Porto’s illustrious history.

Long before the emergence of Portugal's greatest ever footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira had spawned another truly astonishing player.īeginning his career at Club Sport Marítimo, Artur de Sousa, known in the football world as Pinga, would play for the islanders for three seasons before crossing the Atlantic to ply his trade at northern powerhouse Futebol Clube do Porto. Profile of Portugal's first football legend

Pingas rangers