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
