This paper addresses the issue of migratory mobilities in football, dwelling specifically on African footballers’ migration to Portugal. Throughout its history, Portuguese football, although with different intensities and dynamics, has been marked by several migratory flows. Taking a relational approach, this paper discusses African football players’ mobility, in particular the anonymous players, without contractual ties, who arrive in Portugal, setting the theme in post-colonial migrations. Based on qualitative research collected within the scope of a European project on the integration of African players in Europe, this paper raises the issue of power networks that are established in the country of origin and in the host country; the recruitment structures of these players; the motivations to migrate; the importance of family, and finally, the ways of coping with failed projects due to the impossibility of succeeding in the highly competitive world of football. It is argued that sports labour migrations are not only sporting ones. Against the model of elite sports professionals the article highlights alternative, irregular circuits, which lie outside the official channels, but which are no less structuring of the lives of these aspiring footballers..

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sporting migrations,globalization of sports,football,mobilities,aspirations