5 most entertaining Portuguese footballers of all time

Football is more than just a sport to Portuguese people. It is a way of life, a means of expression and entertainment, and a way for people to unite and enjoy. Over the years, the nation has produced some talented players who have made it big.

Portuguese players play with a unique flair and a sense of responsibility, but also with fearlessness. The likes of Eusebio, Pauleta, Pepe and Helder Postiga, among others, have fared well for the Portuguese national team over the years.

Portugal won their first international title in 2016, defeating France 1-0 after extra time in the Euro 2016 final. That game saw Eder score the winning goal for the Seleccao.

With young and supremely talented players like Diogo Jota, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Andre Silva, the current Portugal team look like a strong outfit. They will hope to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next year through the playoff route.

Over the years, Portuguese players have produced moments of brilliance that have left fans in awe. On that note, here's a look at the five most entertaining Portuguese players in history.

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#5 Ricardo Quaresma

Iran vs Portugal: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1983. He began his career at Domingos Savio before joining Sporting CP's youth academy in 1994.

Quaresma came through the ranks at Sporting, for whom he debuted in 2001. He had a year-long spell at Barcelona the next year, followed by a move to Porto in 2004. It was there where Quaresma found his feet, becoming an established player.

Quaresma has played for various clubs including Porto, Sporting, Besiktas, Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan. In 663 career appearances, the Portuguese has scored 108 goals and provided 167 assists.

Ricardo Quaresma is widely renowned for his 'trivela' kick, where he uses the outside of his foot to generate reverse curl on the ball.

Here is a clip of Quaresma producing a trivela goal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup:

He also provided an extraordinary assist for a teammate to nod home a goal whilst at Besiktas recently. Quaresma passed the ball using a 'rabona' kick, using his kicking leg to go behind and around the standing leg to kick the ball.

You can watch that amazing assist here:

Quaresma currently plays for Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.

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#4 Nani

Nani is one of the most skilled wingers in Portugal's history.

Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, aka 'Nani', was born in Amadora, Portugal, in 1986. He played predominantly as a winger, and was known for his tricks on the ball, venomous strikes and exceptional physique.

The Portuguese came through the ranks at Sporting, where he made his senior debut in 2005. He was then signed by Manchester United in 2007 for €25.5 million. The Portuguese had the most fruitful stint of his career with the Red Devils.

Nani won four Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League with United. He scored some brilliant goals for them, including a memorable team effort against Manchester City. United passed the ball swiftly through the City line before Nani, who was played in, finished with a chip.

You can see that goal here:

Nani played 230 games for United, scoring 41 goals and providing 74 assists. His best season in the Premier League for United was in 2010-11. The Portuguese scored nine goals and set up a further 19 in 33 appearances that campaign.

He currently plays for Orlando City SC in the MLS, for whom he has scored 31 goals and provided 19 assists in 88 games across competitions.

#3 Deco

Legendary Portugal player Deco during the Soccerex Europe - Day 1

Anderson Luis de Souza, known as 'Deco', was born in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in Brazil, in 1977. He began his youth career with Corinthians, for whom he made his senior debut in 1996. Scouts from Benfica were impressed by the youngster, who was taken to Portugal in 1997.

Born and raised in Brazil, Deco was eligible for Portuguese citizenship in 2002 having completed a five-year stay in Portugal. He also chose to play for the Portuguese national team.

The midfielder was one of the most successful Portuguese players to play in the UEFA Champions League. Deco won the competition with Porto in 2004, and was named the Man of the Match in the Final.

In 2006, he repeated the triumph with Barcelona. Deco is one of the few players to have won the UEFA Champions League with multiple clubs. He is also the only player to win UEFA's best midfielder award with two clubs.

He played for Barcelona, Chelsea and Fluminense following his spell with Porto. Deco won eight domestic league titles, four domestic cups and two UEFA Champions League trophies.

You can watch his best moments in the Champions League here:

Deco played 490 club games, scoring 75 goals and providing 165 assists. He retired from the sport in 2013.

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#2 Luis Figo

Luis Figo was an influential captain for the Portuguese national team.

Luis Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo was born in Almada, Portugal, in 1972. He came through the ranks at Sporting CP, for whom he made his senior debut in 1989. He played in Portugal for six years before moving to Barcelona in 1995. With the Blaugrana, Figo became one of the most respected players in the world.

He won two La Liga titles, two Copa Del Reys and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona, becoming one of their most influential leaders and players. Figo was well-respected and adored in Barcelona, as his wearing the Barca shirt gave Catalonian people a sense of approval.

Here's a video of Luis Figo scoring a world-class goal for Barcelona:

In July 2000, Real Madrid triggered Figo's release clause of €62 million, and the Portuguese agreed to move, much to Barcelona fans' dismay.

In an El Clasico game in 2002, Figo had a pig's head thrown at him when Real Madrid visited Camp Nou. Figo was preparing to take a corner when the incident happened.

Nevertheless, Figo enjoyed more success with Real Madrid, winning the UEFA Champions League with them in 2001-02. He also won the Ballon d'Or award in 2000.

Luis Figo then moved to Inter Milan, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles between 2005 and 2009. The Portuguese called time on his career in 2009.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest Portuguese footballer of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in Madeira, Portugal, in 1985. He began his career by coming through the ranks at Sporting CP, for whom he made his first-team debut in 2002. Ronaldo started his career as a winger, but now plays as a striker.

During his career, Ronaldo has represented four clubs - Sporting CP, Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid. He has scored an incredible 687 goals and provided 300 assists in 915 games across competitions. The Portuguese is Real Madrid's all-time top scorer with 450 goals.

Ronaldo has won seven league titles, four domestic cups and five Champions League trophies. Only Lionel Messi (7) has won more Ballon d'Or awards than Ronaldo's five.

Cristiano Ronaldo was known for his tricks and flicks, and thunderous free-kicks during his first spell with United. In 2009, he scored a 40-yard screamer against Porto in the Champions League. That goal won him the Puskas Award.

He also scored a mind-boggling free-kick against Portsmouth. Ronaldo struck the ball so fiercely that it nestled in the back of the net without having any spin on it.

While at Madrid, Ronaldo produced a sublime moment of genius against Juventus in the Champions League. He reacted swiftly to a cross from the right wing, adjusted himself and swung his boot to score past Gianluigi Buffon. The entire Juventus stadium applauded the effort, and Ronaldo responded by patting his chest with gratitude.

Ronaldo returned for a second spell with Manchester United this summer - a place where he seemingly has some unfinished business. The Portuguese will look to win the Champions League with the Red Devils once again next year.