amistoso

Amistoso is an adjective in Spanish and Portuguese meaning cordial or amicable. In sports, the term also functions as a noun to refer to a friendly match between teams that is not part of an official competition or tournament.

In football and other sports, an amistoso (or partido amistoso) is typically organized to prepare teams for upcoming events, test players and tactics, and build fitness without the pressure of competitive standings. These matches can feature national teams (amistoso internacional) or clubs, and may be played during pre-season, mid-season breaks, or at other times in the calendar. Venues are sometimes neutral, but games can also be hosted by one of the participating teams. While the result is not usually decisive for leagues or cups, friendly matches can influence team morale, player selection, and statistical records, and in some contexts may contribute to rankings with a lower weight than official fixtures.

Etymologically, amistoso derives from Latin amicus, meaning friend. Outside sport, the term describes cordial or amicable relations, such as friendly ties between countries, organizations, or individuals.

In contemporary usage, the expression is common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions and is widely understood in international sports journalism. Variants include partido amistoso, amistosos internacionales, and pretemporada, depending on the context and timing of the game.