Favourite places, favourite food and more: ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira | Werkself Magazine #56

Tell me, Afonso: Lisbon and Porto are Portugal’s fascinating cities. Which one comes top in your opinion?

Moreira: I lived in Lisbon for more or less eight years when I was playing for Sporting; it’s a brilliant city. But my family comes from Lamego in the north of the country, so Porto is simply closer to us, especially as it’s only an hour away. I like the people there, and the Portuguese culture they live and embody. The food is brilliant, as is the wine in the north – even though I don’t drink any myself. For my family and friends, Porto is our home town.

With its charming towns and fantastic beaches, the Algarve is very popular with tourists. Which is your favourite spot there?

Moreira: There are two places that spring to mind for me: Vilamoura and Lagos. Vilamoura is particularly popular with younger people and attracts a trendy crowd with its beach clubs, the restaurants at the marina and the evening parties. Lagos is quieter; everything there is very relaxed and laid-back. I really appreciate that, which is why I feel even more at home there. The beaches are a dream, and the surrounding area is a golfer’s paradise.

Which place, away from the tourist hotspots, is well worth a visit?

Moreira: I can recommend a visit to the area around my hometown, Lamego, to everyone. It is situated inland on the edge of the Douro Valley. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest and most spectacular wine-growing regions in the world; it is regarded as the cradle of port wine. It’s an ideal place to relax, with beautiful villages to discover along the river. In Lamego, the famous pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios stands on a hill above the town. It can be reached via a Baroque staircase with almost 700 steps, decorated with the characteristic blue azulejos.

As well as meat dishes, Portuguese cuisine also offers a wide variety of fish and seafood. What do you like to eat?

Moreira: My absolute favourite dish is francesinha, a traditional dish from the north. It’s a hearty sandwich made with cooked ham, slices of a chorizo-like sausage and fried beef – or, if you prefer, chicken or fish. It’s topped with melted cheese, sometimes with a fried egg on top, and served with plenty of sauce made from tomatoes, beer and mustard.

Fado is regarded as the country’s traditional musical style, characterised by a very melancholic tone and exuding a great deal of wistfulness. Does the younger generation still relate to it?

Moreira: To be honest, it’s not the sort of music I’m into or listen to. But it’s obviously an important genre associated with Portugal. A singer like Amália Rodrigues, who died in 1999, became famous far beyond Portugal’s borders and brought fado to the world. She’s an absolute icon; my parents adore her. I, on the other hand, prefer to listen to reggaeton, Brazilian funk or Afro house – pretty much the complete opposite of fado.

Let’s move on to sport: Cristiano Ronaldo has been your idol since you were a child. Did you understand the controversial discussions about his role in the team during the recent World Cup?

Moreira: Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion on whether he remains important to the team. My view on the matter is quite clear: I know this is a hotly debated issue. Cristiano has given so much to the national team, to my country – indeed, to the whole world of football – that I would never question him. I always see the great things he’s achieved throughout his long career. We must recognise his achievements. That takes precedence over everything else.

Apart from football, who do you think is Portugal’s biggest sports star?

Moreira: Oh, that’s a tricky question. We once had a very famous cyclist, Joaquim Agostinho, who finished third twice in the Tour de France in the late 1970s. In athletics, it’s certainly Rosa Mota, who won Olympic gold in the marathon in Seoul in 1988, as well as being a world champion and a three-time European champion. As for today’s athletes, it’s Neemias Queta: he was the first Portuguese basketball player to make it into the NBA and went on to win the championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024.

Which famous historical figure from Portugal does every child know?

Moreira: Among living people, it’s definitely Cristiano Ronaldo. If you look right back through world history, it’s the great explorers, such as Henry the Navigator or Vasco da Gama, who sailed round the southern tip of Africa and discovered India by direct sea route in 1498. And, of course, Afonso Henriques, the first king in the history of Portugal.

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