I would hardly call myself a Portuguese speaker but I can definitely tell you it is not in any sense pronounced "san". Saying it is pronounced "são" is something of a truism but not very helpful if you don't speak Portuguese. The closest English equivalent word is name for a female pig.

On the other hand I don't think I could name a single member of the current Brazilian football team. I have many Brazilian friends and I virtually never hear them so much as mention football. I guess I choose my friends carefully, somehow or other.