Roberto Lopes, who was famously recruited to play for Cape Verde via a DM on LinkedIn, has been one of the breakout stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But while 'Pico' has been helping to put the African islanders on the map by pushing Lionel Messi and world champions Argentina all the way to extra time in the round of 32, his club side Shamrock Rovers are already gearing up for the new UEFA Champions League campaign.
The first qualifying round for Europe's top club competition begins on Tuesday -- a mere 38 days after Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in last season's final, and long before the big names enter the fray in 2026-27.
A number of less-heralded clubs from all corners of the continent will be in action, all with their own fascinating backstories. So who are they? From the Imps to the Saints to the Vikings, let's meet some.
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Atert Bissen
After languishing in Luxembourg's third division in 2023, the club rose rapidly with back-to-back promotions and then became national champions for the first time last season thanks to a slender win over title rivals Differdange on the final day. In the process, they became only the second European club -- after Bulgarian giants Ludogorets -- to go from third tier to national champions in three seasons.
Their rise can be largely attributed to footballer-turned-construction entrepreneur Carlos Teixeira, who built the stadium complex in Bissen and was later persuaded to take on the club presidency by the local mayor over a bottle of wine. Teixeira, who made the bold call of replacing his own brother Pedro as head coach last summer, has recruited shrewdly. But arguably his biggest asset has been his ability to offer players jobs -- a major incentive in a semi-pro league like Luxembourg, where other work is often required to supplement income.