​This team isn't based on sole international performance, but the best players from this nation in a suitable formation.
​
​
STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
3 best players not in the squad:
  • Jose Augusto
  • Jose Aguas​​
  • Antonio Simoes​
​
Portgual have more representation in this squad from the 2020's than any other decade, but have only won a UEFA Nations League. Their best results in the World Cup and Euros have been the quarter finals. It has often been put down to poor management. The country's greatest success was winning Euro 2016 - 3 players make it from this side, while five make it from the Euro 2004 finalists (Carvalho and Ronaldo were in both). Their best World Cup result was finishing third place in 1966 - 3 players make it from the squad. Germano was dropped from the starting XI after the second game, but he was past his peak at the time.

Vitor Damas was very close to the 3rd goalkeeper spot - the margins in this position were quite small. Ruben Dias and Fernando Couto just missed out on the squad at centre-back, while Mendes has overtaken Cancelo and Hilario to a starting spot on the left. Cancelo can also cover as a back-up right-back, so there was no need for Artur Correia.

​Vitinha has acheived a lot in a short space of time. Until his emergence, Portugal lacked a top class deep lying midfield option as back-up to Sousa. He originally replaced Jaime Graca, who was not a natural, but often played together in a two with Coluna. As of 2026, he has made the starting XI. Deco and Bruno Fernandes are back-up to Coluna and Rui Costa, with Fernandes replacing Jose Augusto in the squad in 2026.

With Figo, Ronaldo and Eusebio, Portugal have the best attacking rating of any European nation alongside Netherlands. This front three are their greatest ever players, with Bernardo Silva, Futre and Peyroteo as their back-ups. Chalana is then chosen as the best eligible player not yet included ahead of Jose Aguas. Choosing Augusto would have meant too many right-wingers, but because Ronaldo could also play upfront, there was no overload of left wingers in the squad with Chalana.

Players By Decade: 2020's (5), 2000's (4), 1960's (4), 1980's (3), 2010's (2), 1990's (2), 1970's (2), 1940's (1)

New Squad Entries since 2022:​
  • 2025: Vitinha (Reserves)
  • 2026: Vitinha (Reserves > Starting XI), Nuno Mendes (Starting XI), Bruno Fernandes (Reserves)

​Portuguese Positional Ranking (World Class Players - 18)​

​Top 20 Portuguese Players of All-Time
​(& their all-time positional rank)
1     Cristiano Ronaldo
2     Eusebio
3     Luis Figo
4     Mario Coluna
5     Rui Costa
6     Fernando Peyroteo
7     Paolo Futre
8     Deco
9     Bernardo Silva
10   Ricardo Carvalho
​11   Pepe
​​12   Bruno Fernandes
13   Jose Augusto
​14   Vitinha
​15   Fernando Chalana
​16   Jose Aguas
17   Humberto Coelho
18   Germano
​19   Paulo Sousa
20   Antonio Simoes
Platinum III
Platinum IV
Gold II
Gold III
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
​Gold V
Silver I
Silver I
1     Cristiano Ronaldo   III   ​​No.1 WNG
2     Eusebio   IV   2nd ST
3     Luis Figo   II   6th WNG
4     Mario Coluna   III   19th CM
5     Rui Costa   IV   ​​​46th AM
6     Fernando Peyroteo   IV   ​​​61st ST
7     Paolo Futre   IV   ​​​​​​​​41st WNG
8     Deco   IV   ​​​53rd AM
9     Bernardo Silva   V   ​​​63rd AM
10   Ricardo Carvalho   V   61st CB
11   Pepe   V   65th CB
​12   Bruno Fernandes   V   ​​​64th AM
13   Jose Augusto   V   ​​​​​​​​​​62nd WNG
​14   Vitinha   V   ​​​74th CM
15   Fernando Chalana   V   ​​​​​​​​​​86th WNG
16   Jose Aguas   V   ​​​UR STR
17   Humberto Coelho   V   83rd CB
18   Germano   V   84th CB
19   Paulo Sousa   I   ​​​45th DM
20   Antonio Simoes   I   ​​​​​​​​​​95th WNG
Feel free to join the website discord server​ and discuss with others.