Top 10 Best Portuguese Players in Football History – Ranking the Portugal Football Legends

Some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen in football history have come from Portugal. Portuguese football players are known for their technical skills, creativity, impressive vision, and passion & hunger for success and greatness. They might still be waiting for the World Cup trophy but Portugal has provided a fair share of talents over the years. Portugal has rarely failed to even qualify for any major tournaments in the world.

From Eusebio to Cristiano Ronaldo, the list of top Portuguese footballers is filled with talented individuals gifted with impressive defending, goal-scoring abilities, and playmaking skills. Portuguese football history is filled with many talented footballers who played for elite clubs around the globe.

Whether it’s the defensive brilliance of players like Ricardo Carvalho, the midfield magic of Rui Costa, or the bold flair of wingers like Nani, each generation has come with technical brilliance to win. This firm will was visible during the 2016 UEFA Euro, when Portugal’s squad was labelled as an underdog but clinched the European Championship under Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership. Here’s the list of the top 10 Portuguese football players of all time:

Ranking Factors

Longevity: The primary factor while ranking the players was to look at their overall career longevity and how long these players performed for the club at their peak.

Consistency: True greatness requires maintaining world-class standards across multiple seasons, adapting to tactical shifts and physical demands of International football’s relentless schedule.

Impact: The last parameter we considered while ranking the best Portuguese players was their impact and influence during their time with the country.

List of The 10 Best Portuguese Football Players of All Time

10. Nani

Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, known as Nani, stands among the best Portuguese football players of the modern era. The former Portugal winger rose to fame at Sporting CP before becoming a key figure at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. Renowned for his flair, dribbling, and knack for clutch goals, Nani’s career spanned over 450 club appearances, including stints at Fenerbahce, Orlando City, and Estrela da Amadora. On 8 December 2024, after his spell with Estrela, Nani announced his retirement from professional football. His creativity and versatility made him a nightmare for defenders, blending speed with pinpoint crosses.

A famous Portuguese football player, Nani also shone internationally, earning 112 caps and scoring 24 goals. He played a pivotal role in Portugal’s 2016 European Championship triumph, stepping up in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence during the final. With 16 club trophies and a UEFA Euro winners’ medal, Nani’s legacy as one of Portugal football legends is cemented by his relentless drive and big-game mentality.

9. Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho was more than just a defender, he was a master at reading the game and dictating the game tempo. At Chelsea, his partnership with John Terry became legendary, forming a wall that opponents rarely cracked. Carvalho had the ability to position himself at the right position and shut down strikers. Whether at Porto, Real Madrid, or Monaco, he made defending look effortless, always staying one step ahead of his opponents.

He was rock solid in defense during the three World Cups and four European Championships he played for his country. During Portugal’s run to the Euro 2004 final, he played a crucial role with his defensive awareness and crucial tackles, but they, unfortunately, fell short at the end, losing in the penalty shootout. Winning more than 15 trophies in his professional career proves that defending isn’t just about strength. Even now, many Portugal football legends agree and regard him as one of the best Portuguese soccer players ever.

8. Paulo Futre

Paulo Jorge dos Santos Futre, known as Paulo Futre, played his entire professional career as a left winger. He started his senior club career with Sporting CP in 1983 and retired in 1998 with Yokohama Flugels. He has made more than 330 club appearances and scored 77 goals in his club career. He made his international debut for Portugal in 1983 and went on to play till 1995. He earned 41 caps for Portugal and netted 6 goals. He has represented clubs in Spain, France, England, Italy, and Japan. He is considered one of the best Portuguese players ever. He represented his nation at the 1986 World Cup.

Paulo Futre, a famous Portuguese football player, electrified the 1980s and 1990s as a left winger with blistering pace and technical brilliance. After starting his career at Sporting CP, he became a star at Porto, winning the 1987 European Cup, and later dazzled at Atletico Madrid. Futre was known for his dribbling, vision, and ability to deliver during crunch games, which made him a fan favorite across Europe. The former Rojiblancos winger represented his nation at the 1986 World Cup and inspired a generation with his fearless style. ​

7. Pepe

Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira is famously known as Pepe in the football world. He is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs of all time. Pepe started his senior club career with Maritimo in 2001 and retired in 2024 with Porto. He has made more than 535 club appearances and netted 35 goals in his club career. Pepe is known for his aggressive tackling, physically strong, and quick on the ball. He won the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2018-19 with Portugal.

Pepe was also considered a threat on set pieces due to his strong aerial techniques. He has won 27 club trophies in his professional career. He is considered one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time. Internationally, Pepe was instrumental in Portugal’s 2016 Euro and 2019 Nations League triumphs. His leadership and clutch performances, including a man-of-the-match display in the Euro 2016 final, solidified his status among the best Portuguese football players.

6. Deco

Anderson Luis de Souza, famously known as Deco, played as an attacking or central midfielder his entire professional career. He is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation. He started his senior club career with Corinthians in 1996 and went on to play till 2013 with Fluminense. Deco has made more than 400 club appearances and scored 133 goals in his club career. His style of play was considered impressive, he was a creative and versatile midfielder with technical abilities. He earned 75 caps for Portugal and netted 5 goals.

Deco represented his nation at two FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships. He is considered one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time. Born in Brazil, he chose Portugal, becoming the engine of Porto’s 2004 Champions League win before starring at Barcelona and Chelsea. Deco’s ability to control the tempo, thread impossible passes, and score from a distance made him one of the best Portuguese soccer players of the 2000s. His elegance and versatility earned him the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year award twice, cementing his place among Portugal football legends.

5. Rui Costa

Rui Costa was considered and regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world in his prime. Rui Costa made his senior club career with Benfica in 1990. He has played for clubs like Benfica, Fiorentina, and AC Milan. Rui Costa has made more than 498 appearances and scored 66 goals in his entire club career. He earned 94 caps for Portugal and netted 26 goals for his country. He has represented his nation in one FIFA World Cup and three UEFA European Championships.

The former Rossoneri midfielder had a unique style of play as he was quick, technically gifted, and looked elegant while making creative plays. Costa is considered one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time. Known as “The Maestro,” his pinpoint passing, dribbling, and ability to unlock defenses made him one of the best Portuguese players of the 1990s. Costa’s elegance and creativity earned him admiration across Serie A and Europe.

4. Mario Coluna

Mario Coluna played his entire career mainly as a central midfielder. He spent most of his club career with Benfica, as he debuted for them in 1954 and went on to play for them till 1970 before moving to Lyon for a brief period. He has made more than 280 club appearances and scored 91 goals in his club career. He has won 19 major club titles with Benfica. He represented his nation at the 1966 World Cup. He was known for his passing, especially his long-range accurate passes, and he also had powerful long shots.

He is considered one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time. A Portugal football legend, Coluna captained the national team to third place at the 1966 World Cup, their best-ever finish. Coluna earned 57 caps for Portugal and scored 8 goals to underscore his influence, blending defensive grit with attacking flair.

3. Luis Figo

Luis Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, famously known as Luis Figo, played as a winger his entire professional career. Figo has made more than 570 club appearances for clubs like Real Madrid, Sporting CP, Barcelona, and Inter Milan. He has scored 93 goals in his professional club career. Luis Figo is considered one of the greatest of his generation. He won the 2000 Ballon d’Or and the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, making him one of the greatest Portuguese football players of all time. He earned 127 caps for Portugal and netted 32 goals for his country.

Figo has represented his nation at two UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. He has won more than 22 club trophies in his career, which is remarkable. Luis Figo dazzled as a winger with magical dribbling and deadly crosses. During his time in Spain, his flair and leadership drove teams to glory, including a Ballon d’Or win in 2000. For Portugal, he captained the “Golden Generation” to the Euro 2004 final, blending creativity with grit. A Portugal football legend, Figo’s fearless style and big-game brilliance make him one of the best Portuguese players ever.

2. Eusebio

Eusebio de Silva Ferreira famously known as Eusebio, ‘Black Panther’, “Black Pearl’, and ‘O Rei” played as a striker his entire professional career. He is considered one of the best Portuguese players of all time. Eusebio was known for his speed runs, technique, and athleticism. He is also considered one of the most prolific goal-scorers in history. He has made more than 745 professional appearances in his career and scored an ever-impressive 733 goals. He earned 64 caps for Portugal and netted 41 goals for his country. He has won 31 club trophies in his entire professional club career.

Eusebio was known as “Black Panther,” was a goal machine with blistering speed and a rocket shot. His 1966 World Cup heroics, scoring 9 goals and Benfica’s European Cup win made him a global icon while lifting Portuguese football onto the world stage. Among Portugal football legends, Eusebio remains the ultimate best Portuguese soccer player, a hero who inspired millions.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, famously known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is currently playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time as well as one of the best Portuguese players of all time. He has made more than 1200 club appearances and has scored a record 900 official goals for club and country. He is known for his speed, dribbling, acceleration, technical skills, and agility. He is a threat in aerial situations or during free kicks. He has won 31 club trophies as of now in his club career.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won 5 Ballon d’Or, one FIFA World Player of the Year, two Best FIFA Men’s Player awards, The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement, and many more individual awards. He has gone through many position changes in his career, he started as a right winger, then started playing on the left side, and for the past few years, he has started playing as a striker. He has earned 212 caps for Portugal and netted a record 133 international goals. Ronaldo has represented his nation in 14 major international tournaments: six UEFA European Championships, five FIFA World Cups, one FIFA Confederation Cup, and two UEFA Nations League.

Top 10 Best Portuguese Players of All Time