C.D. Nacional

Clube Desportivo Nacional, commonly known as Nacional and sometimes Nacional da Madeira (), is a Portuguese football club based in Funchal, on the island of Madeira.
Founded on 8 December 1910, it currently plays in the LigaNos, Portugal's first-tier division of professional football. It plays its home games at Estádio da Madeira, also known as Estádio da Choupana. Built in 1998 and named at the time "Estádio Eng. Rui Alves" after the current club president Rui Alves, it seats approximately 5,132 people. The stadium is located in the north of Funchal, high in the mountains of the Choupana district.
The club's home colours are black and white striped shirts with black shorts and socks. Nacional is also known for being one of the clubs that formed Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo and to honour the club's most famous player they named their youth training facilities "Cristiano Ronaldo Campus Futebol".
The "Alvinegros" best top-tier league finish was fourth in the 2003–04 Primeira Liga season and their best participation in European competitions was in the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League after beating Zenit St. Petersburg in the play-off round and managing to secure a third place in the group stage.
Like many other Portuguese clubs, Nacional operates several sports teams outside the football team. Other sports groups within the organisation include beach soccer, boxing, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, tennis, triathlon, muay thai, padel, rallying, swimming and veterans' soccer.
History.
Nacional reached the first division for the first time ever in the mid-1980s, returning again in 2002–03. The following season was arguably the best ever season, as the side finished fourth in the league, just squeaking past Braga. In that season, three of its key players were Paulo Assunção, a defensive midfielder, and goal-machine Adriano, who netted 19 times. Both would later go to Porto, while the third key player, winger Miguelito, joined Benfica in 2006.
Nacional also had a quarter-final run in the domestic cup, and would lose in the first round of the subsequent 2004–05 UEFA Cup, being defeated twice by Sevilla. In 2006–07's edition, more of the same occurred with two early losses to Rapid București.
In the 2008–09 season, Nacional again edged Braga for the final fourth spot, mainly courtesy of Nenê, who scored 20 goals and won the Golden Boot honor. The side also reached the last-four in the Portuguese Cup, losing on aggregate 5–4 to Paços de Ferreira, with the decider coming at the "Estádio da Madeira" in the 90th minute.
2009–10 started without Nenê, who was sold to Cagliari for a club-record fee of €4.5 million. In August 2009, however, the club managed to defeat former UEFA Super Cup winners Zenit Saint Petersburg in the UEFA Europa League last round prior to the group stages; after a 4–3 home win, youngster Rúben Micael scored another last-minute goal, as the club was trailing 1–0 in Russia. In the next round, Nacional was drawn alongside Athletic Bilbao, Austria Wien, and Werder Bremen; the Austrians were beaten 5–1 in Madeira, but the Portuguese did not progress to the knockout rounds.
In the 2014–15 season, Nacional had a slow start, being eliminated of 2014–15 UEFA Europa League in the play-off round against Dinamo Minsk, after losing two times in a 2–0 away loss and a 2–3 home loss. But after that the club accomplished a major achievement, after beating rivals Marítimo in a 3–0 home win for the 2014–15 Primeira Liga the "Alvinegros" managed to beat them again, this time in a 1–1 away draw for the quarter-finals of the 2014–15 Taça de Portugal where Nacional eventually won 6–5 at penalties, granting the team the qualification for the semi-finals of the competition.
On 30 December 2016, Predrag Jokanović began his fourth spell as manager for the club.
On 16 May 2021, Nacional got relagated for 3rd time in the last 5 seasons and becoming into a yo-yo club.
Stadium.
The Estádio da Madeira, better known as the "Choupana", houses Nacional. The current stadium is located around nearby training pitches. The club also built an academy campus in name of its most famous player, Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo. The stadium was renovated in 2007 for a new stand and also increasing the capacity to over 5,000 spectators. The total price of the renovations was €20 million.
In these new facilities, no stands were put behind the goals, with a tall fence used in its place. In mid-2007, the stadium name was changed to "Estádio da Madeira", because of the excellent sports facilities.
Rivalry.
Nacional has a big rivalry with Madeira-neighbours Marítimo. Historically, Marítimo dominated Nacional in the early years, being the first to reach European competition.
Player records.
Most appearances.
"Competitive matches only, includes appearances as used substitute.
Most goals.
"Competitive matches only, includes goals as used substitute.