Top 10 greatest Portuguese footballers of all time

Undoubtedly, these Portuguese footballers are and were, best among the best.

Portugal’s football history is as old as the game of football is. Almost since the advent of the game, Portugal have been part of it. The history and legacy that the Portuguese have created in the game is one of a kind. Portugal have given many legendary players of the game, out of which some have found their place in heaven, some have retired and some are still dominating the game. 

This great team have never won a World Cup, but still is considered one of the best teams of the world, because of the greats they have produced. Also, they proved the world after winning the 2016 Euro Championship, which is a very prestigious title for any European team. 

Let’s have a look at the top 10 greatest Portuguese footballers of all time

10. Bernardo Silva

This 29-year-old attacking midfielder and a right winger is among the top players in the world currently. Since 2013, he has been a part of the Portugal team, from under 19 to the main national team. Silva has played around 92 games for Portugal and has scored 12 times. Today he is an essential part of one of the best clubs currently, Manchester City. Also, he played a very crucial role in winning the UEFA Champions League title for Manchester City in 2023. 

9. Paulo Futre

One of the legends of Portuguese football, Paulo Futre, during his playing days marked his presence as one of the best. He appeared in 42 matches for his national team and managed to score six times. Although his achievements in respect to his national team weren’t huge, he did great in the clubs he played. He was part of some of the legendary clubs like Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and others. He also won the 1992 Copa del Rey trophy, for his team Atletico Madrid. 

8. Nani

Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, famously known as Nani, is one of the best Portuguese players of all time. Since 2006, he has been a part of Portugal national football team and has appeared for around 112 times. He has scored 24 goals for his national team and also many goals for the clubs he played in. Nani was part of the most legendary club, Manchester United and there he played 147 matches from 2007-2015, scoring around 25 times. He won four Premier League titles and two League Cups while playing for Manchester United. 

7. Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho is often considered as one of the best centre backs (Defender) Portugal has ever produced. Carvalho first joined the national team in 2003 and became a regular player in all the major events. He appeared in 89 matches for Portugal and being a defender, scored five times. Carvalho was part of legendary clubs such as Chelsea and Real Madrid. He won two Premier League titles in a row and also a League Cup for Chelsea. 

6. Pepe

Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, famously known as Pepe is undoubtedly considered as one of the best centre backs of the world and not only Portugal. Currently he is 41 years-old and still playing for his national team as a regular player. Since 2007, he has appeared in around 140 matches for his team. He is infamous for his playing style, as it is very aggressive. Pepe spent the majority of his career with Real Madrid, where he along with Sergio Ramos dominated the opponents.  

5. Deco

Anderson Luis de Souza, famously known as Deco is often recognized as one of the best midfielders of his time. He joined Portugal national team in 2003 and played nearly 75 matches, scoring 19 times. Deco was part of great teams like Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea and others. He is one of the very few players, who won two Champions League titles with two different teams. He was part of the national team that reached the 2004 Euro finals. He retired from International football in 2010, leaving behind a legacy. 

4. Rui Costa

Rui Costa, famously known as ‘The Maestro’ is named in the FIFA list of 125 greatest living football players. He joined the national team in 1993 and used to play as an attacking midfielder. Costa appeared in 94 matches for Portugal scoring 26 times. He spent the majority of his career with Benfica and AC Milan. In his career span of almost 17 years, he won a Serie A title, a Champions League title and also a UEFA Super Cup title. Costa is currently 34th president of S.L Benfica. 

3. Luis Figo

One of the greatest of the game, Luis Figo is the one, who has achieved many great titles for himself and his team. Figo used to play as a wing in the national team, which he joined in 1991. He appeared in 127 matches, scoring 32 times for the team. Figo had one of the most controversial transfers in football history, when he moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Other than these two great Spanish clubs, Figo was also part of Italian giant Inter Milan. He won the most prestigious individual award in football, Ballon d’Or in 2000. 

2. Eusebio

Eusebio da Silva Ferriera, this name is written with the golden letters in Portuguese football history. Eusebio is the one, because of which Portugal national team attained the third spot in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. For Portugal, Eusebio appeared in 64 matches in which he scored a whopping 41 goals, making him one of the highest scorers. He spent the majority of his career with Benfica, as he played around 301 matches for them scoring 317 goals. He is considered as the best Benfica player ever. 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo 

The world will fall short of a player like Cristiano Ronaldo. Undoubtedly considered as the best player of all time by almost half of the world, Ronaldo has achieved almost everything a footballer ever aspires for. He joined Portugal national team in 2003 and since then he has appeared in 211 matches, scoring 130 goals, which is the most by any Portuguese player. He has been a part of great teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. Ronaldo has won 5 Ballon d’Or, which is longed for by every footballer in his career.

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