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.
