British tabloid, Metro, recently went as far as saying Salvador is “Portugal’s best ever Eurovision entry.”
Salvador – who’s name literally translates as ‘Saviour’ – has enjoyed a meteoric rise to national popularity and is being hailed as the hero who could restore the country’s faith, and interest, in the European song battle.
Singing ‘Amar pelos Dois’ (Loving for Both), written by his sister, Luísa, the song has garnered praise from wide-ranging sources, including memorable 2014 Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.
Portugal has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 49 times since its debut in the 1964 contest. Since then it has missed five contests, in 1970, 2000, 2002, 2013 and 2016.
Portugal has yet to secure a win, with the best result being a sixth-place finish for Lúcia Moniz with the song ‘O meu coração não tem cor’ in 1996.
This country holds the record for most appearances in the contest without a win; in fact, the country has yet to reach a top-five.
However, its odds are looking good this year as Salvador and Luisa´s song is currently second favourite to win, according to bookies William Hill, with 9/2 odds.
Favourite to win is Italy.
Salvador Sobral studied psychology before breaking onto the Portuguese and Spanish music scenes.
Born in Lisbon, he also resided in the United States, Mallorca and Barcelona, in Spain, as a child.
He and his camp have refused to comment on speculation that he suffers from a risky heart condition that requires surgery, saying the medical team that has accompanied him during his time in Ukraine leading up to this Sunday’s contest has been to aid his recovery from a hernia operation.