Vila Real is best known in football circles as the birthplace of Simão Sabrosa, but the city has produced 20 documented association football players in total. Other notable players include Paulo Alves, Tiago Rodrigues, Jaime Miguel Linares and Jorge Rodrigues. Among them are 19 male and 1 female players. Documented players span more than 97 years, from 1908 to 2005.
