33·Legends

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Portugal

The thirty-three greatest. Build your eleven, then settle the duels.

The pitch 0 / 11

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The 330 on the pitch

The duels

Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Portugal.

The 33 of Portugal

Ranked by the almanac. Vote in the duels to build the people's version.

1 CR 98 Cristiano Ronaldo 233 caps · 146 goals · Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014)The Juventus crowd stood and applauded a Real Madrid player on 3 April 2018, after he rose 2.31 metres in their own stadium and hooked an overhead kick past their goalkeeper. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five European Cups, Euro 2016 with Portugal, the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia; his 140 Champions League goals remain the record. LM2002–26

97 Eusébio 64 caps · 41 goals · C.D. Maxaquene, S.L. Benfica · Ballon d'OrThe 'Black Panther' remains one of football's most prolific strikers, his blistering pace and devastating shot powering Benfica to European glory and Portugal to third at the 1966 World Cup. SS1960s

93 Luís Figo 127 caps · 32 goals · Sporting CP, FC Barcelona · Ballon d'Or 2000The F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid legend was a mesmerising winger whose dazzling dribbling, pinpoint crosses, and leadership earned him the 2000 Ballon d'Or. RM2000s

92 Mário Coluna 57 caps · 8 goals · Grupo Desportivo de Maputo, S.L. Benfica · Hall of Fame 2005The 'Monstro Sagrado' was the heartbeat of Benfica's European conquests in the 1960s, a powerful, elegant midfielder who dictated play and scored vital goals. CM1954–70

91 Deco 75 caps · 5 goals · FC Porto, FC Barcelona · Hall of FameA diminutive dynamo, his inventive passing and tireless work rate were instrumental in Porto's shock 2004 Champions League triumph and Chelsea's domestic dominance. CM2000s

91 Pepe 141 caps · C.S. Marítimo, FC Porto · Hall of FameA warrior at the heart of the defence, known for his aggressive style, leadership, and crucial role in Portugal's Euro 2016 victory and Real Madrid's multiple Champions League successes. CB2010s

7 RC 91 Rui Costa 94 caps · 26 goals · S.L. Benfica, ACF Fiorentina · Hall of FameThe 'Maestro' graced Serie A with his elegant playmaking, a true číslo 10 whose creative genius unlocked defences for Fiorentina and AC Milan. CAM1991–2008

90 Bernardo Silva 107 caps · 14 goals · S.L. Benfica B, AS MonacoThe 'Little Magician' weaves intricate patterns, his sublime dribbling and incisive passes pulling strings for Manchester City and Portugal. CAM2013–26

90 Fernando Peyroteo 20 caps · 14 goals · Sporting CP, C.F. Os BelenensesAn absolute goal machine, his prolific record for Sporting CP in the 1930s and 40s established him as one of Portugal's all-time deadliest finishers. ST1937–49

90 José Águas 25 caps · 311 goals · S.L. Benfica, FK Austria WienBern, 31 May 1961: the captain Portugal called Cabeça de Ouro, golden head, put Benfica ahead in the 30th minute against Barcelona, his eleventh goal of a European Cup he finished as top scorer. He scored first again in the 1962 final against Real Madrid to make it two European Cups as captain, and at Benfica he won five league titles, seven Portuguese cups and five seasons as the league's leading scorer. ST1950–69

11 NM 90 Nuno Mendes Portugal leaned on him in the Munich final of the 2025 Nations League: he scored the equaliser against Spain, stayed with Lamine Yamal down that flank all night, and buried his kick in the shootout. That Nations League title sits beside back to back Champions League wins with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 and 2026, five Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France, and the Primeira Liga he won as a teenager at Sporting. LB2020–26

12 PF 90 Paulo Futre 41 caps · 6 goals · Sporting CP, FC PortoA winger of explosive pace and dazzling dribbling, his electrifying runs down the flank were a highlight for Porto and Atlético Madrid in the 80s and 90s. SS1983–98

90 Ricardo Carvalho 89 caps · FC Porto, Chelsea · 2× Hall of FameThe elegant centre-back was a tactical master, renowned for his astute positioning and calm play under pressure during Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid's trophy-laden eras. CB1997–2016

14 BF 89 Bruno Fernandes 88 caps · 29 goals · Udinese Calcio, Sporting CPA talismanic figure for club and country, his breathtaking vision, audacious long-range strikes, and penalty prowess make him a devastating playmaking force. CM2012–26

15 FC 89 Fernando Couto 110 caps · Parma Calcio 1913, FC Barcelona · 2× Hall of FameA physically imposing defender, his aerial dominance and commanding presence solidified backlines for Portugal, Lazio, and Parma during a stellar career. CB1988–2008

16 JA 89 José Augusto Inside the opening two minutes against Hungary at Old Trafford on 13 July 1966, the man they called the Portuguese Garrincha headed Portugal in front from a corner, and he scored again after the break. Portugal finished third at that World Cup, and at Benfica he won the European Cup in 1961 and 1962 along with eight Portuguese league titles. RM1959–70

89 Rúben Dias 74 caps · S.L. Benfica B, S.L. BenficaHis first season at Manchester City turned a leaky back line into the meanest defence in England, and the football writers voted him Footballer of the Year, the first defender to take it in 32 years. Portugal have lifted both of their Nations League titles with him marshalling the back four, in 2019 and 2025, and at City he has won the 2023 Champions League and four Premier League titles. CB2015–26

18 VB 89 Vítor Baía 80 caps · FC Porto, FC Barcelona · Hall of FameA true Porto legend, he lifted the Champions League in 2004, showcasing exceptional reflexes and leadership between the sticks. GK2000s

19 HC 88 Humberto Coelho 64 caps · S.L. Benfica, Paris Saint-GermainThe towering centre-back was a dominant presence for Benfica and Portugal, known for his aerial prowess and leadership in the 1960s and 70s. CB1968–84

88 João Moutinho 146 caps · 7 goals · Sporting CP, AS Monaco · Hall of FameA midfield general with an encyclopaedic understanding of the game, his precise passing and relentless energy anchored Portugal's Euro 2016 victory. CM2010s

21 JP 88 João Pinto The marauding right-back was a vital part of Porto's dominant 1987 European Cup-winning side, blending tireless runs with defensive solidity. RB1980s

88 Nani 112 caps · 24 goals · Sporting CP, Manchester United · Hall of FameA dazzling showman with explosive pace and a bag of tricks, he was a key component of Manchester United's attacking flair and title successes. RM2005–23

23 P 88 Pauleta 88 caps · 47 goals · UD Salamanca, FC Girondins de Bordeaux · 2× Hall of FameO Fantasma was a prolific, powerful poacher, whose deadly instinct saw him bag over 250 goals across stints in France and Spain. ST1994–2008

24 PS 88 Paulo Sousa 52 caps · S.L. Benfica, Sporting CP · Hall of FameA linchpin in two Champions League-winning midfields, his astute positioning and unflappable temperament made him a formidable defensive shield. CDM1988–2002

88 Rui Patrício 108 caps · Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers · Hall of FameThe steady shot-stopper was instrumental in Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 triumph, commanding his area with authority. GK2010s

88 Simão Sabrosa 85 caps · 22 goals · S.L. Benfica, Atlético Madrid · Hall of FameA tricky winger with a cannon of a shot, his flair and free-kick expertise lit up the Portuguese league and the Champions League for Benfica. LM1997–2016

27 ÁM 87 Álvaro Magalhães 20 caps · Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F., S.L. BenficaA classic attacking left-back of the 80s, his pinpoint crosses and tireless running forged a strong flank for Benfica and the national team. LB1979–92

28 JC 87 Jorge Costa 50 caps · FC Porto, C.S. MarítimoA no-nonsense centre-back and captain of Porto's 2004 Champions League winning team, he epitomized grit and defensive steel. CB2000s

29 MB 87 Manuel Bento 63 caps · F.C. Barreirense, S.L. BenficaAn iconic figure for Benfica and Portugal, his acrobatic saves and unwavering presence made him a cult hero of the 70s and 80s. GK1969–90

30 NG 87 Nuno Gomes 79 caps · 29 goals · Boavista, S.L. Benfica · Hall of FameA clinical striker with a knack for important goals, he led the line for Portugal at multiple Euros and World Cups, including their run to the Euro 2004 final. ST2000s

87 Rui Jordão 43 caps · 15 goals · S.L. Benfica, Sporting CPKnown as 'The Gazelle', this elegant and technical forward was a key figure for Sporting CP and Benfica, becoming a two-time Primeira Liga top scorer. ST1971–89

87 William Carvalho 80 caps · Sporting CP, Cercle Brugge K.S.V. · Hall of FameA powerful holding midfielder, his exceptional reading of the game and ability to break up play made him a key figure for club and country, including Portugal's Euro 2016 win. CDM2010s

33 A 86 Aloísio A rock-solid Brazilian-born centre-back who became a long-serving and reliable defender for Porto in the late 80s and early 90s. CB1979–96

About this XI

The three highest rated names in Portugal's pool are Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusébio and Luís Figo. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and 7 forwards, spanning the 1960s to the 2010s. 2 players reach the Immortal tier or higher. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.

Left out, and why

A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Portugal's list. Every one of them has a case.

João FélixRated 87 in the almanac. The place went to José Águas.
CostinhaRated 87 in the almanac. The place went to Nuno Mendes.
Fábio CoentrãoRated 87 in the almanac. The place went to José Augusto.
Nélson SemedoRated 86 in the almanac. The place went to Rúben Dias.

Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.

Who is the greatest Portugal footballer of all time?

In the 33 Legends editorial ranking, Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal with an overall rating of 98. The editorial top five: Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusébio, Luís Figo, Mário Coluna, Deco. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.

How were these 33 Portugal players chosen?

The pool covers every position across Portugal's football history. Ratings weigh peak level, longevity, honours and historical standing, then the full methodology page explains the tiers. Fan votes in the duels build a second, independent ranking.

Which Portugal players reach the Immortal tier or higher?

Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusébio are rated 95 or higher for Portugal.

Can I build and share my own Portugal all-time XI?

Yes. Pick one of eight formations, drag any of the 33 onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.