CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Holding Portugal Hostage

Ray Ratto

Chancel Mbemba of Congo DR reacts after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR at Houston Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Congo Was Ready For The Moment, And For Portugal

Portugal Belongs To Cristiano Ronaldo For A Little Bit Longer

David Roth

Senegal Men's Soccer Team centre-forward Nicolas Jackson (11) defends as United States Men's National Soccer Team defender Tyler Adams (4) works the ball during a FIFA soccer match between Senegal and the USA on May 31, 2026.

Podcasts

The Dutch Style Of Pickup Soccer And A Dog Named Jeff, With Leander Schaerlaeckens

Patrick Redford

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: (L-R) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, IOC President Thomas Bach, President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani and President Gianni Infantino attend the Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

What Sort Of NBA Does Adam Silver Want To Build In Europe?

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nuno Mendes of Portugal runs to the ball during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

Nuno Mendes Made The Nations League Worth The Hassle

Robin Hranac of Czechia concedes an own goal, the first goal for Portugal, as cze during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Portugal and Czechia at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 18, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany.

The Czech Republic Was Undone By Its Own Center Back

Billy Haisley

Portugal's players celebrate scoring during a group A play-off tournament match between Portugal and Cameroon for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 22, 2023.

Portugal Is Finally Where It Ought To Be

Jawad El Yamiq kisses the head of Portugal defender Pepe after he missed a header in the waning minutes of Morocco's World Cup quarterfinal win.

Kiss Kiss, Bye Bye

Albert Burneko

Cristiano Ronaldo looking pissy in his yellow substitute's vest

Portugal Romped While Ronaldo Watched

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the UEFA Nations league match between Portugal v Spain at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 27, 2022 in Braga Portugal.

Internationals

Portugal Is Still All About Ronaldo, Even When It Shouldn’t Be

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies reacts to their 61-78 loss to the Washington Huskies in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Time Zones And DNPs Can’t Keep Portuguese Fans From Celebrating Their Country’s First NBA Player

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification group A football match between Portugal and Serbia, at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, on November 14, 2021.

Fernando Santos Was Never The Right Manager For Portugal

Germany's defender Robin Gosens (L) heads the ball to score their fourth goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F football match between Portugal and Germany at Allianz Arena in Munich on June 19, 2021.