While Portugal have long been one of the major sides in the annals of footballing history, their dismal record (historically) in the European Championships means that quite a few of the players in this lineup are still active. Indeed, Portugal made their first Euros appearance in 1984, having not qualified for the previous six tournaments, although they made it to the semi-finals in their debut appearance, culminating in an exit to France in one of the greatest ever Euro games.
Since 1996, Portugal have been ever-present, making it to the quarterfinals at the very least, coming closest to the trophy in a shock defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final. Despite only having made six appearances in the Euros, Portugal have been one of the more memorable sides in the tournament.
Here are 11 footballers that make up the best of Portugal’s Euro squads:
Goalkeeper
Vitor Baia
It’s a bit of tiny revenge for Vitor Baia that he is considered the better keeper to Ricardo now. The former FC Porto and Barcelona shot-stopper ended the 2003/04 season on a high, winning the UEFA Champions League and being voted the best goalkeeper, but was shockingly left out, with Ricardo taking his place in the Euro 2004 squad.
However, Baia had been ever present in Portuguese squads prior to the Euro 2004 snub, playing almost all games in Euro 1996 and Euro 2000, even stopping Turkish striker Arif Erdem’s penalty to enable Portugal to reach the semifinals in the 2000 edition.
Baia ended up making 80 appearances for Portugal, with his longevity being a primary reason for his 27 trophies with FC Porto, but the fact that he was voted into the ‘all-time XI’ of the Portugal Football Federation’s centenary celebrations say it all.
Defenders
Centre Back – Ricardo Carvalho
The 38-year-old is the oldest outfield player in Euro 2016, but that has not stopped the veteran from being a cornerstone for his side. Despite Portugal having their fair share of quality centre-backs, it’s telling that current Portugal manager Fernando Santos counts on Carvalho as one of the first names on his teamsheet, pleading with Carvalho to renounce his international retirement in 2011.
Carvalho has played 88 times for Portugal, scoring 6 times – the pinnacle of which was his form in Euro 2004, where he replaced Fernando Couto in the lineup to form a central wall alongside Jorge Andrade, leading to Carvalho being named in the UEFA 2004 Euro Team of the Tournament. No surprise then, that Carvalho was named to Portugal’s All Time XI.
Centre-Back – Pepe
Portugal have a history of amazing centre-backs, with stalwarts like Fernando Couto being a clear choice for an all-time XI in most cases. However, the Real Madrid centre-back gets the nod ahead of Couto due to his superior performances in the Euros. Indeed, Pepe can make a case for being the best Portuguese centre-back to ever play in the Euros, having been named into the Team of the Tournament twice – in 2008 and 2012.
Pepe was at his best in 2012, being one of the captains that guided Portugal to a semifinal place – possibly the best period of his 70 games with the national side.
Left-Back – Fabio Coentrao
Like his Real Madrid teammate Pepe, Fabio Coentrao makes this list on the back of a fantastic Euro 2012. The left back broke into the Portuguese side at the tender age of 21, appearing in a crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier, before making the position his own in the South African tournament and has gone on to make 51 appearances for the national side.
Coentrao’s dependability earned him a big money move to Real Madrid, and he confirmed that fee with a string of fantastic performances in Euro 2012, being a constant threat as he bombed up and down the pitch while Portugal made it to the semifinals. Sadly, Coentrao has seen his club and international career suffer due to injuries, with the latest one keeping him out of Euro 2016, with another young talent, Raphael Guerreiro shining in his place.
Right Back – Joao Pinto
Joao Pinto is regarded as one of the greatest Portuguese right-backs of all time, and the FC Porto legend makes this list on account of his performances in Portugal’s first time participating in a major international tournament in 1984. The right back was in fine form as Portugal made it to the semifinals, where Pinto suffered a torrid time dealing with French great Michel Platini.
Pinto played for the Portuguese national side for more than a decade, calling time on his international career in 1996, after making 70 appearances for the Seleção das Quinas. However, it was at club level where Pinto made a greater impact, winning nine league titles and the 1987 European Cup with Porto, where he spent his entire career.
Midfielders
Central Midfielder – Maniche
Maniche might not be considered one of the greatest central midfielders of all time, with Paolo Sousa considered the better player overall. However, Sousa’s bad luck in international tournaments means that he misses out, with Maniche the obvious candidate to take his place in the lineup.
Indeed, Maniche was perhaps the best Portuguese player in their run to the 2004 Euro final, with the combative midfielder picking up a habit of scoring when it counted. A crucial goal against Russia in the group stages was followed by him burying his penalty against England in the quarterfinals, while also scoring the winner in the semifinals against the Netherlands, all while harrying opposition players in midfield.
Central Midfielder – Deco
It is a testament to Deco’s quality that when he was first considered for the Portugal national team, he wasn’t even wanted but he is now considered one of the nation’s most treasured footballing sons. The former Barcelona midfielder is a naturalised Brazilian, and began his Portugal career in memorable fashion, scoring a free-kick winner on debut, ironically against Brazil.
Deco’s creative powers were on full display in Euro 2004, with the then FC Porto midfielder exhibiting his bag of tricks and great passing vision while notching up two assists for Portugal in the tournament. Deco was similarly influential in Euro 2008, grabbing a goal as he propelled the Seleção das Quinas to a quarterfinal place, before finally announcing his international retirement in 2010, ending his Portugal career with 75 caps and 5 goals.
Central Midfielder - Rui Costa
Rui Costa is an automatic pick for the creative role of this lineup, as the Portugal legend is considered one of the greatest players to have ever come from the Iberian peninsula. Rui Costa made 94 appearances for Portugal over the course of 10 years, scoring 26 times for his country, yet he was known for his assisting capabilities and fantastic vision.
Costa was a part of Portugal’s golden generation, the sides that made it to the latter stages of Euro 1996, 2000 and 2004. It was the loss in the finals to Greece in Euro 2004 that remains one of Rui Costa’s worst memories, especially since he had a great hand in dragging his nation to the finals, which included a wondergoal against England in the quarterfinals.
Forwards
Right winger – Luis Figo
Were it not for Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo would be considered the best player to have ever played for Portugal in the Euros. Yet, that does little to diminish his contribution to Portuguese football, with the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star holding the appearance record for Portugal until June 2016, with Ronaldo surpassing his total of 127 caps.
Figo was an integral part of the Portugal sides that succeeded to make it to the quarterfinals of Euro 1996, the semifinals of Euro 2000 and the finals of Euro 2004. However, his best performances in the European Championships came in Euro 2000, where he carried his side to the semifinals, a reflection of how he won the Ballon d’Or that same year, with him finishing in the Team of the Tournament.
Figo ended his career after the 2006 World Cup, going out on a high as he captained Portugal to their best finish in a World Cup since Eusebio’s 1966 side.
Left winger – Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal’s greatest player of all time, and one of the best players of all time in world football. Yet, Ronaldo’s international record remains a thorn in his side, with the Real Madrid star having never won an international trophy with Portugal. Despite surpassing Luis Figo’s appearance record and Pauleta’s all time scoring record, Ronaldo continues to be criticised in his homeland for 'underachieving' with Portugal.
There is some merit to that allegation, as after a superb debut Euro 2004, Ronaldo disappointed in Euro 2008 as he only scored one goal in the tournament. In Euro 2012, Portugal went out to Spain in a penalty shootout in the semifinals, with Ronaldo criticised for his decision to take the glorified 5th penalty, but was not afforded the chance as Portugal already had lost 4-2 in the shootout.
Yet, with 58 goals from 128 games so far, Ronaldo is Portugal’s talisman, with or without a trophy.
Central Striker – Nuno Gomes
Pauleta held Portugal’s goal scoring record until Ronaldo surpassed him, yet he fails to make this list as he did not have the best record in the Euros. Indeed, it was Nuno Gomes’ habit of scoring when Portugal needed a goal the most that earns him a nod in this list, coupled with memories of his great performances in Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
Gomes scored four goals in Euro 2000 and was named in UEFA’s Team of the Tournament, but became famous for earning a ban when he pushed the referee in the semi-final defeat by France, after he gave an infamous penalty. Gomes fared better in Euro 2004, most famously netting the winner against Spain in the knockout stages, sending Portugal through to the quarterfinals.
Gomes ended his Portugal career with 29 games from 79 goals, but while those numbers aren’t the best, ask a Portugal fan for their memories of the striker, and they’ll regale you with plenty of tales.
Formation
