All-Time Portugal National Team Best XI (Ronaldo, Figo, Eusebio, Pepe)

All-time Portugal best XI – Portugal national team is one of national football team from Europe. Although historically not among the greatest national team, but Portugal have few great moment throughout their history.

Their biggest achievement is winning UEFA Euro in 2016. Before that, their only achievement are twice reaching semifinal in World Cup (1966, 2006) and also finish as runner-up in UEFA Euro (2004). Portugal also winning another trophy, the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Portugal first golden generation is in 60s. They manage to reaching semifinal in 1966 World Cup. Eusebio is the biggest name in this era, he is among one of the greatest footballers of all time. Others greatest Portugal players in 60s are Mario Coluna, Germano, Hilario and Humberto Coelho.

After that, Portugal second golden generation coming in late 90s and early 2000s. Players like Luis Figo, Rui Costa or Fernando Couto leading the line. They manage to reach semifinal in Euro 2000 and World Cup 2006, while also come close to win Euro 2004 as host country, only lose in final against Greece. Players like Deco, Ricardo Carvalho or young Cristiano Ronaldo also have their own part.

Portugal finally winning their first major trophy in 2016. They won Euro 2016, beating host country and major favorite France in final. Ronaldo definitely become main players in this success. Other players like Pepe, Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho, Nani or Ricardo Quaresma also become key players.

In recent years, Portugal also have many top players who become stars in Europe’s major clubs. Players like Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leao or Joao Cancelo are ready to take Portugal into the next chapters.

All-Time Portugal Best XI

Of course it’s hard to select 11 of best Portugal players of all time in each position. Below is our selection of all-time Portugal national team best XI.

GOALKEEPER

1. Vitor Baia

Date of birth : 15 October 1969
Position : Goalkeeper
Caps / goals : 80 caps / 0 goal
Club career :

• 1988-1996 – Porto (Portugal)
• 1996-1998 – Barcelona (Spain)
• 1999-2007 – Porto (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2002
• UEFA Euro 1996, 2000

Substitutes :

• Manuel Bento (1976-1986), 63 caps
• Rui Patricio (2010-current), 107 caps
• Ricardo (2001-2008), 79 caps
• Vitor Damas (1969-1986), 29 caps

DEFENDER

2. Pepe

Date of birth : 26 February 1983
Position : Center-back
Caps / goals : 134 caps / 8 goals
Club career :

• 2001-2004 – Maritimo (Portugal)
• 2004-2007 – Porto (Portugal)
• 2007-2017 – Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2017-2019 – Besiktas (Turkey)
• 2019-current – Porto (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
• UEFA Euro 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
• FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

3. Ricardo Carvalho

Date of birth : 18 May 1978
Position : Center-back
Caps / goals : 89 caps / 5 goals
Club career :

• 1997-2004 – Porto (Portugal)
• 1998-1999 – Leca (Portugal) (loan)
• 1999-2000 – Vitoria Setubal (Portugal) (loan)
• 2000-2001 – Alverca (Portugal) (loan)
• 2004-2010 – Chelsea (England)
• 2010-2013 – Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2013-2016 – AS Monaco (France)
• 2017 – Shanghai SIPG (China)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010
• UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2016

4. Joao Pinto

Date of birth : 21 November 1961
Position : Right-back
Caps / goals : 70 caps / 1 goal
Club career :

• 1981-1997 – Porto (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 1986
• UEFA Euro 1984

5. Hilario

Date of birth : 19 March 1939
Position : Left-back
Caps / goals : 40 caps / 0 goal
Club career :

• 1958 – CD Maxaquene (Portugal)
• 1958-1973 – Sporting CP (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 1966

Substitutes :

• Fernando Couto (1990-2004), 110 caps, 8 goals
• Humberto Coelho (1968-1983), 64 caps, 6 goals
• Germano (1953-1966), 24 caps, 0 goal
• Ruben Dias (2018-current), 48 caps, 2 goals
• Bruno Alves (2007-2018), 96 caps, 11 goals
• Vicente Lucas (1959-1966), 20 caps, 0 goal
• Arthur Correia (1972-1979), 34 caps, 1 goal
• Paulo Ferreira (2002-2010), 62 caps, 0 goal
• Joao Cancelo (2016-current), 44 caps, 8 goals
• Raphael Guerreiro (2014-current), 64 caps, 4 goals

MIDFIELDER

6. Mario Coluna

Date of birth : 6 August 1935
Position : Midfielder
Caps / goals : 57 caps / 8 goals
Club career :

• 1954-1970 – Benfica (Portugal)
• 1970-1971 – Lyon (France)
• 1971-1972 – Estrela Portalegre (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 1966

7. Deco

Date of birth : 27 August 1977
Position : Midfielder
Caps / goals : 75 caps / 5 goals
Club career :

• 1996-1997 – Corinthians (Brazil)
• 1997 – CSA (Brazil)
• 1997-1998 – Benfica (Portugal)
• 1997-1998 – Alverca (Portugal) (loan)
• 1998-1999 – Salgueiros (Portugal)
• 1999-2004 – Porto (Portugal)
• 2004-2008 – Barcelona (Spain)
• 2008-2010 – Chelsea (England)
• 2010-2013 – Fluminense (Brazil)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010
• UEFA Euro 2004, 2008

8. Luis Figo

Date of birth : 4 November 1972
Position : Winger, attacking midfielder
Caps / goals : 127 caps / 32 goals
Club career :

• 1989-1995 – Sporting CP (Portugal)
• 1995-2000 – Barcelona (Spain)
• 2000-2005 – Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2005-2009 – Inter Milan (Italy)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2002, 2006
• UEFA Euro 1996, 2000, 2004

9. Rui Costa

Date of birth : 29 March 1972
Position : Attacking midfielder
Caps / goals : 94 caps / 26 goals
Club career :

• 1990-1994 – Benfica (Portugal)
• 1990-1991 – Fafe (Portugal) (loan)
• 1994-2001 – Fiorentina (Italy)
• 2001-2006 – AC Milan (Italy)
• 2006-2008 – Benfica (Portugal)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2002
• UEFA Euro 1996, 2000, 2004

Substitutes :

• Maniche (2003-2009), 53 caps, 7 goals
• Paulo Sousa (1991-2002), 51 caps, 0 goal
• Joao Moutinho (2005-current), 146 caps, 7 goals
• Bruno Fernandes (2017-current), 57 caps, 15 goals
• Bernardo Silva (2015-current), 82 caps, 11 goals
• Nani (2006-2017), 112 caps, 24 goals
• Simao Sabrosa (1998-2010), 85 caps, 22 goals
• Ricardo Quaresma (2003-2018), 80 caps, 10 goals
• Antonio Simoes (1962-1973), 45 caps, 3 goals
• Fernando Chalana (1976-1988), 27 caps, 2 goals

FORWARD

10. Cristiano Ronaldo

Date of birth : 5 February 1985
Position : Forward, winger
Caps / goals : 200 caps / 123 goals
Club career :

• 2002-2003 – Sporting CP (Portugal)
• 2003-2009 – Manchester United (England)
• 2009-2018 – Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2018-2021 – Juventus (Italy)
• 2021-2022 – Manchester United (England)
• 2023-current – Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
• UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
• FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

11. Eusebio

Date of birth : 25 January 1942
Position : Striker
Caps / goals : 64 caps / 41 goals
Club career :

• 1957-1960 – CD Maxaquene (Portugal)
• 1961-1975 – Benfica (Portugal)
• 1975 – Boston Minutemen (United States)
• 1975 – Monterrey (Mexico)
• 1975-1976 – Toronto Metros-Croatia (Canada)
• 1976 – Beira-Mar (Portugal)
• 1976-1977 – Las Vegas Quicksilvers (United States)
• 1977-1978 – Unaio de Tomar (Portugal)
• 1978-1979 – New Jersey Americans (United States)

Major tournament participations :

• FIFA World Cup 1966

Substitutes :

• Pauleta (1997-2006), 88 caps, 47 goals
• Nuno Gomes (1996-2011), 79 caps, 29 goals
• Paulo Futre (1983-1995), 41 caps, 6 goals
• Jose Aguas (1952-1962), 25 caps, 11 goals
• Fernando Peyroteo (1938-1949), 20 caps, 15 goals
• Jose Augusto (1958-1968), 45 caps, 9 goals
• Nene (1971-1984), 66 caps, 22 goals

Portugal National Team All-Time Best XI

That’s our pick for 11 of greatest Portuguese players of all time in each position. What do you think? Write down your pick in comment below.