Top 10 Portugal Football Legends of All Time - Ranked

Here we provided the list of Top 10 Portugal Football Legends, which covers the best Portugal football players of all time with the most records and are considered the greatest.  

by Surya | Updated Mar 30, 2023

FreshersLive

Best Portuguese Soccer Players

Portugal has a long and storied history in football, having produced some of the greatest players and teams in the world. The country's passion for football is evident in the number of clubs, players, and fans who live and breathe the sport.

Football was introduced to Portugal in the late 19th century by British expatriates who worked in the country's port cities. The first football club, Clube Internacional de Futebol, was founded in 1902 in Porto. Other clubs soon followed, and by the early 20th century, football had become one of the most popular sports in the country.

Portugal's first national team match was played in 1921 against Spain, which ended in a 3-1 loss. The team struggled in its early years, failing to qualify for the World Cup until 1966. However, the 1960s were a turning point for Portuguese football, with the emergence of the legendary Eusebio, who helped lead the team to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup.

In the following decades, Portuguese football continued to grow and develop. The country hosted the European Championship in 2004, which was seen as a major milestone for Portuguese football. The team made it to the final but lost to Greece.

Today, Portugal is home to some of the biggest and most successful football clubs in Europe, including Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP. These clubs have a long history of success in domestic and international competitions, with numerous titles and trophies to their names.

Portuguese football has also produced some of the greatest players in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who is widely considered one of the best players of all time. Other notable players include Luis Figo, Eusebio, Deco, and Ricardo Carvalho, to name just a few.

The Portuguese national team has also experienced great success in recent years, winning their first major international tournament, the European Championship, in 2016. Led by Ronaldo, the team defeated France in the final to claim the title.

Top 10 Portugal Football Legends

Here, we'll take a look at the top 10 football legends from Portugal

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo: One of the greatest football players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, or simply Ronaldo, is a forward who has played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr FC. He has won the Ballon d'Or five times and helped lead Portugal to their first major international tournament victory in 2016, the European Championship.
  2. Eusebio: Considered one of the greatest football players of all time, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, or simply Eusebio, was a forward who played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team in the 1960s. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1965 and helped lead Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup.
  3. Luis Figo: A midfielder who played for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, Luis Figo was one of the best players of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2000 and helped lead Portugal to the final of Euro 2004.
  4. Jose Torres: A midfielder who played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team in the 1960s and 70s, Jose Torres helped lead Portugal to third place in the 1966 World Cup.
  5. Deco: A midfielder who played for Porto, Barcelona, and Chelsea, Deco helped lead Porto to a Champions League victory in 2004 and was a key player in Portugal's run to the final of Euro 2004.
  6. Fernando Couto: A defender who played for Porto, Parma, Lazio, and the Portuguese national team in the 1990s and 2000s, Fernando Couto was a tough, physical player who helped lead Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2000.
  7. Rui Costa: A midfielder who played for Benfica, Fiorentina, and AC Milan, Rui Costa was a gifted playmaker who helped lead Portugal to the final of Euro 2004.
  8. Pauleta: A forward who played for Bordeaux and the Portuguese national team in the 2000s.
  9. Ricardo Carvalho: A defender who played for Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, Ricardo Carvalho was a key player in Porto's Champions League victory in 2004 and helped lead Portugal to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.
  10. Nuno Gomes: A forward who played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team in the 1990s and 2000s, Nuno Gomes helped lead Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and is one of the country's all-time leading scorers with 29 goals.

List of Best 10 Portuguese Footballers

Player Position Teams
Cristiano Ronaldo Forward Sporting CP, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr FC, Portugal NT
Eusebio Forward

Benfica, Portugal NT

Luis Figo Midfielder Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Portugal NT
Jose Torres Midfielder Benfica, Portugal NT
Deco Midfielder Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea, Portugal NT
Fernando Couto Defender Porto, Parma, Lazio, Portugal NT
Rui Costa Midfielder Benfica, Fiorentina, AC Milan, Portugal NT
Pauleta Forward Bordeaux, Portugal NT
Ricardo Carvalho Defender Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Portugal NT
Nuno Gomes Forward Benfica, Portugal NT

Is Cristiano Ronaldo a Portugal Legend?

Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time and a Portugal legend, known for his incredible speed, agility, and accuracy on the pitch. Born on February 5, 1985, in Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo began his football career playing for Andorinha and later for Nacional. His potential was quickly recognized, and he was signed to play for Sporting CP in 2002, where he quickly rose to prominence as a young talent.

In 2003, at the age of just 18, Ronaldo was signed by Manchester United for a fee of £12.24 million, making him the most expensive teenage player in the history of English football at the time. Over the next six years, Ronaldo became one of the most successful and beloved players in Manchester United history, leading the team to three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, and one UEFA Champions League title.

In 2009, Ronaldo was signed by Real Madrid for a record-breaking fee of £80 million, making him the most expensive player in the history of football at the time. Over the next nine years, Ronaldo continued to dominate the football world, winning four more UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and four FIFA Club World Cup titles with Real Madrid. In 2018, he was signed by Juventus for a fee of €100 million, where he currently plays.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has been recognized as one of the best footballers in the world, winning numerous awards and accolades for his performances on the pitch. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, given to the best player in the world, and has been named the UEFA Champions League top scorer six times. Ronaldo has also set numerous records throughout his career, including becoming the first player to score 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League and the all-time leading scorer for the Portuguese national team.

Who is the Top Scorer for Portugal Football?

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward, has been a dominant force in the world of football for over a decade. His exploits on the field have made him a household name across the globe. Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and his record-breaking performances have solidified his place in football history.

One of the records that Ronaldo holds is his position as the all-time leading goal scorer for the Portuguese men's football team. With over 100 goals to his name, he has more than twice the number of goals scored by second-placed Pauleta and third-placed Eusébio. Ronaldo has been an essential part of the Portuguese national team, and his contributions have been instrumental in their success over the years.

Ronaldo's journey with the national team started in 2003, when he was just 18 years old. Since then, he has represented Portugal in numerous tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. He has been a key player for the team in many of these tournaments, leading them to several victories and helping them make their mark on the world stage.

Ronaldo's goal-scoring abilities are unparalleled, and he has consistently delivered impressive performances for the national team. He has scored against some of the world's best teams, including Spain, Argentina, and France. His goals have come in different forms, from powerful free-kicks to spectacular headers, and his accuracy in front of goal is unmatched.

Apart from his goal-scoring abilities, Ronaldo's leadership skills have also been vital to the Portuguese team's success. He has been the team's captain since 2008 and has led them to victory on multiple occasions. He is known for his dedication, work ethic, and commitment to the game, qualities that have made him a role model for aspiring footballers worldwide.

In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking goal-scoring achievements for the Portuguese men's football team have solidified his position as one of the greatest players of all time. His contributions to the team have been invaluable, and he has led them to numerous victories over the years. Ronaldo's skills and leadership qualities make him an inspiration to football fans worldwide, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.

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Top 10 Portugal Football Legends - FAQs

1. How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the Portuguese men's football team?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 100 goals for the Portuguese men's football team, making him the all-time leading goal scorer.

2. When did Ronaldo start playing for the Portuguese national team?

Ronaldo started playing for the Portuguese national team in 2003 when he was 18 years old.

3. What tournaments has Ronaldo played for the Portuguese national team?

Ronaldo has played in several tournaments for the Portuguese national team, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.

4. What qualities make Ronaldo a great leader for the Portuguese national team?  

Ronaldo is known for his dedication, work ethic, and commitment to the game, which makes him a great leader for the Portuguese national team.

5. How has Ronaldo's goal-scoring helped the Portuguese national team achieve success?  

Ronaldo's goal-scoring abilities have been instrumental in the Portuguese national team's success over the years, and he has led them to victory on several occasions.