Portugal has produced some of the greatest players that football has ever seen, and many have left a lasting legacy that will go down in history. Along with Brazil, Portugal is known for flair and technical ability. The nation has been a breeding ground for some of the finest talent in football. They have a mix of legendary goal scorers and defensive masterminds.
Just as online roulette is known for its variety of outcomes, Portuguese footballers have delivered a wide range of iconic moments that continue to shape the sport’s history.
This list highlights some of the best players that Portugal has produced; this is not a ranking, however. Let's be honest, football is far too subjective, and it's not always common that everyone shares the same opinion.
Cristiano Ronaldo
This should come as the least surprising entry on the list. Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most well-known football player there has ever been. Some footballers have popularity, but within the realms of the beautiful game, Ronaldo has transcended that level of fame and is a full-blown superstar.
Born on the island of Madeira, Ronaldo started his career at Sporting CP. During his time there, he attracted the attention of some massive football clubs. When he was just 18 years old, Ronaldo signed for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. He joined the team as a cocky winger who was known for his flair and technical ability. But under the coaching of Ferguson, Ronaldo became a complete forward who could do it all. During his time at United, he won three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League.
The Champions League victory attracted the attention of the Spanish team Real Madrid, who signed Ronaldo for a then record-breaking £80 million. Playing for Madrid catapulted Ronaldo to a new level as a footballer. He became the vocal point of the club and led them to win four more Champions League trophies. With numerous Ballon d’Ors and countless records broken, Ronaldo is not just a footballer; he is a phenomenon still going strong at the age of 40.
Eusébio
Full name, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, is one of the most respected players to have come from Portugal. He gained recognition during the 1960s as the leading forward for Benfica and the Portuguese national team. Eusébio had explosive pace and clinical finishing that made him a nightmare for defenders. During his career, Eusébio scored a staggering 733 goals in 745 games.
He was extremely influential in Benfica winning the European Cup in 1962 and led them to another three finals in the years to come after this. Not only was he a dominant force for Benfica, but he also led the line for Portugal. In the 1966 World Cup, he finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with nine goals and helped Portugal reach the semi-finals. The crowning moment of Eusébio’s career came in 1965 when he became the first player from Portugal to win the Ballon d’Or.
Luís Figo
Luís Figo defined a golden generation of Portuguese talent that laid the groundwork for the future generation. Similar to Ronaldo, Figo began his career at Sporting CP, and he later controversially went on to play for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. During his time at Barcelona, Figo boasted 45 goals and 91 assists in 249 games. Figo is one of the rare players who made the switch from Barcelona to Madrid. The signing of Figo marked the beginning of the Galacticos era for Madrid.
Renowned for his exceptional dribbling ability and vision. Figo won the Ballon d’Or in 2000. He was a consistent high-level performer, not just at club level but also for his country. For Portugal, Figo acquired over 120 caps and was instrumental in their run to the Euro 2004 final and 2006 World Cup semi-final. His leadership and creative influence made him one of the most respected players in his era.
Rui Costa
Known for being one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his era, Rui Costa was a magician on the pitch. He could control the tempo of a match with his playmaking ability and elegance on the ball. Starting at Benfica, Costa made a name for himself as one of the brightest talents in the world. This talent was noticed by Serie A side Fiorentina.
During his time in Italy, Costa quickly became a fan favourite and formed a dominant partnership with Gabriel Batistuta. After a successful spell at Fiorentina, Costa made the switch to AC Milan. His time at Milan is where he truly defined his career, winning a league title and a Champions League in 2003. If you were to simply look at stats, Costa is often overlooked by the likes of Figo. But Costas' IQ and leadership made him a force on the pitch that not many people have replicated since his retirement.
Ricardo Carvalho
Defenders are often passed over in the discussion of great players; most people look at your strikers and wingers as they’re the ones who score the goals. But Ricardo Carvalho was a true defensive mastermind. Starting his career in the FC Porto academy, Carvalho quickly worked his way through the ranks of the academy and eventually became a mainstay in the Porto first team. Under Jose Mourinho, Carvalho became a Champions League winner in 2004.
Carvalho clearly made a positive impression on Mourinho, as he followed him to Chelsea, where he became one of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen. His partnership with fellow Premier League icon John Terry became legendary. In their first season together, Chelsea set a record-breaking season. They kept 25 clean sheets and only conceded 15 goals in the entire season. This record still stands today, and it will take a valiant effort to beat it. At the international level, Carvalho was a key figure in Portugal’s backline, earning over 80 caps.
