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Portugal are currently both European Champions and UEFA Nations League holders. Yes, the A Selecao have finally overcome years of frustration and near-misses to belatedly stake their claim as one of Europe's finest national teams.
Their twin triumphs on the European stage have also ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game and definitely the country's finest ever, has two international trophies on his glorious resume.
That has, for his fans, put him ahead of Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate, with the latter failing to win a tournament with La Albiceleste despite reaching several finals.
However, as Portugal began their defence of the Nations League in style by crushing World Cup finalists Croatia 4-1, one got the feeling that the Iberian nation is finally becoming a team full of classy players all over the attacking-third who can hold their own even without their star man.
That feeling was heightened by the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo sat out the opener due to a toe infection as his team crushed the Croats. Though the magician did net twice to bring up his 100th and 101st goals to continue a glittering career, one can finally say that the next gen of the team is ready and Portugal will continue to be a football power beyond the Ronaldo era.
On the eve of Portugal taking on World Champions France in a mouth-watering clash in their third Nations League game, we take a look at five players who prove that Portugal will be in in good stead if and when their greatest ever footballer hangs up his boots.
5 players that prove Portugal are no longer reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo
#5: Andre Silva
The young striker set pulses racing in the Bundesliga by scoring eight times for Eintracht Frankurt in 12 games after the league restarted following the pandemic-induced break.
Portugal's big hope for the future to lead their forward line, Andre Silva, is playing for Frankfurt as a loanee, having already bagged a move to AC Milan after shining for Porto at the start of his career.
Silva has played with acclaim for Portugal at various age-group levels, proving his potency in front of goal consistently in big events. He has already scored 16 times in 35 matches after becoming a regular for the senior team, having also travelled with A Selecao to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
#4: Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo scored a stunning long-ranger for Portugal against Croatia and was unlucky not to get more goals as he tore down the right channel and cut in to vicious effect. He might be termed a bit of a late-bloomer at the international level, only coming into his own in recent times after failing to make Portugal's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
Cancelo has, however, already established himself as one of the most sought-after right-backs in the world in club football. He became the most expensive player in his position when Manchester City bought him from Juventus for £60 million.
Though Kyle Walker is often the first-choice right-back for City, Cancelo has often been given runs in tough games and has not disappointed. Cancelo, the only defender on this list, is a goal-scoring and assist-producing modern-day full-back who is always on the lookout to overlap and join his attackers.
He is also capable of playing on the other flank and also as a wing-back. At 26, Cancelo's best phase might be in front of him, especially with the Portugal team.
#3: Joao Felix
The latest wunderkind from Portugal, Joao Felix, is already expected by the national team's fans to carry on Cristiano Ronaldo's imposing legacy.
Felix, often considered the most talented player in his age group, was picked up by Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2019 for a jaw-dropping, club-record transfer fee of €126 million, which is the fourth-highest transfer fee ever paid.
That proved how highly veteran Atletico coach Diego Simeone rates the 20-year-old. Felix has turned out for the Rojiblancos on 36 occasions and has bagged nine goals and three assists.
He hasn't yet set the world on fire but has showed his class often enough, perhaps suggesting that this investment could reap richer rewards as he matures.
Felix is capable of playing in a variety of attacking positions but is best as a false-nine, dropping deep to link up play while also threatening to score all the time. His goal against Croatia in the Nations League opener might be the first of many for the reigning European champions.
#2: Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is still only 26 despite being one of the premier left-footed playmakers in the world. He is at his devastating best on the right-wing where he is able to cut in on his magical left foot but is almost equally adept in a more central role because of his wizard-like vision and ball-distribution prowess.
Silva has been a mainstay of the Portugal team since 2017, having travelled with them to the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
However, he has had much greater success at club level, first capturing global imagination as part of the great Monaco team that won the 2016-17 Ligue 1 and then shone in the Champions League.
But he really blossomed only after moving to the Premier League with Manchester City where his creativity fit in perfectly with Pep Guardiola's philosophy. Silva has won two Premier League, an FA Cup and three League Cup titles with City. The 2018-19 Manchester City Footballer of the Year has scored 30 times and assisted on 35 occasions for his club.
Silva missed out on Portugal's 2016 Euro triumph due to an injury. But he had a fabulous Nations League campaign last year where he was declared the best player of the tournament. He has already turned out 45 times for his nation.
#1: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been in the news in recent times after joining one of the most popular clubs in the world, Manchester United, helping them launch a rejuvenated and, ultimately successful, bid for a Champions League spot.
Fernandes is a more central midfielder than Silva, who likes to dictate play in the final-third and is always on the lookout for that killer pass while also possessing a handsome long-range shot.
He has always been a quality player but has been a bit under the radar before joining United. In fact, he has been a part of Bruno Santos' Portugal team since 2017. He has scored 100 times and assisted in 78 goals in an already accomplished club career.
Though only capped 21 times by Portugal till now, Fernandes' impressive performances for Manchester United, where he has scored eight times and assisted seven in 14 games, has helped uplift an entire team stuck in the doldrums, which proves that he is both extremely skillful and inspirational.
For all one knows, Bruno Fernandes is in the process of upping his level for both club and country and ready to take over the mantle from Cristiano Ronaldo fully as a talented and young Portugal side continue their quest for more success.
His brilliant performance against Croatia in this year's Nations League opener seemed to suggest so as he completed 86% of his passes, set up a goal and created seven chances.
