Players: Abel Freddy Adu H. Almeida Pablo Aimar Bruno Alves Anderson J. Andrade N. Assis Vitor Baia Boa Morte Bosingwa M. Caneira Cardozo R. Carvalho Ze Castro Jorge Costa Rui Costa Conceicao Costinha F. Couto M. da Costa Dady Danny Deco Derlei Di Maria C. Martins Y. Djalo Duda P. Emanuel M. Fernandes P. Ferreira Luis Figo Luis Filipe Nuno Gomes L. Gonzalez Helton Izmailov Karagounis Katsouranis Liedson L. Lopez Luisao David Luiz Makukula Maniche Mantorras F. Meira R. Meireles P. Mendes Miguel Miguelito Moreira J. Moutinho Nani Nelson R. Patricio Pauleta C. Peixoto Pepe Petit Pereirinha Joao Pinto H. Postiga Polga Quaresma Quim J. Ribeiro Ricardo R. Rocha F. Rochemback C. Rodriguez Ronaldo Romagnoli P. Sousa Simao Tarik Tiago J. Tomas Tonel Miguel Veloso Hugo Viana Vukcevic Abel Xavier H. Yebda Select player

PortuGOAL Player Profiles

A-Z of the stars of the Portuguese game

For a small nation of around ten million inhabitants, Portugal has produced far more than its fair share of the world’s greatest players over recent years, as exemplified by the healthy quota of Portuguese players scattered across many of Europe’s elite clubs.

In our Player Profile section read detailed career profiles of the major players of the Portuguese game. In addition to Portugal’s top footballers, find out more about the biggest foreign stars playing in the Liga Sagres.

To select a player from the full list use the drop down menu in the left-hand column, or alternatively click on the quick links in the right-hand column.

Keep tabs on this page as more profiles shall be added throughout the coming months.

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“Did I ever think I’d play in Russia? No, never, but now I realise that coming here was the best thing I ever did,” admits Daniel Miguel Alves Gomes, on a curious career choice which has since paid rich dividends, with international recognition and a record-breaking transfer. The remarkable story of the man known by his nickname, Danny, has an intriguing beginning. >>

Hassan Yebda’s strong physical presence and neat passing, so much in evidence in his breakthrough year last season at Le Mans, saw the gangly midfielder make a mockery of those who had doubted his ability to make a name for himself in the game, and earned the Frenchman a move to Portugal’s most famous club in the process. >>

Fiercely competitive forward Derlei, nicknamed ‘Ninja’ due to his combative style, plays every minute of every match as if it is his last. He has collected a host of trophies along the way, including the most coveted prize of them all in club football – the Champions League. >>

Heralded early in his career as the next Maradona, Pablo Aimar possesses superb technique, fully meriting his nickname El Mago (The Magician). His ability has seen him collect pretty much every trophy there is to win on two continents. >>

It’s hard not to sympathise with the argument that Pedro Emanuel, one of Jose Mourinho’s first signings as Porto boss and a Uefa Cup and Champions League winner, is one of the most underrated players of his generation. The dependable FC Porto captain has been a tower of strength for championship-winning teams at both Boavista and FC Porto. >>