Euro 2024 Favourites Profile: Portugal

Despite not progressing beyond the quarter-finals in their last three major tournaments, Portugal is one of the favourites to win the 2024 UEFA European Championship.

The 2016 European Championship winners currently have one of the most talented squads in Europe, with most of their star names playing in top European clubs. 

Portugal has representatives playing at the highest level in Europe, from Manchester City to Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Wolves, Manchester United, and Barcelona.

The Seleção enters the tournament ranked fifth in Europe’s FIFA rankings. Although FIFA rankings often don't tell the whole story, Portugal has earned the right to be so highly ranked after being the only side to record a 100% win rate in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers.

Roberto Martinez's side breezed past their opponents during the qualifiers, scoring a whopping 32 goals, conceding just two and keeping nine clean sheets in ten games. 

Their blend of attacking prowess and defensive solidity has placed them among the top three favourites to win this year's championship. 

It has also boosted the hopes of many Portugal fans, who will be keen to watch their nation play in Germany starting June 14.

UEFA Euro 2024 tickets are already on sale, and every supporter needs a reason to grab their copies as soon as possible.

Having already examined the profiles of France and England, we now examine the Portuguese national team closely and consider their squad, including their options for each position, which makes them one country that could win the Euros.

Goalkeepers

Although Portugal is well-stocked in every area of the pitch, the goalkeeping position is one of their biggest strengths.

In Rui Patricio, Diogo Costa and José Sa, the 2016 European Championship winners have three goalies that can start in most clubs in Europe's top five leagues. 

They also have highly-rated 21-year-old Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Jumpe, waiting on the wings should any of the keepers mentioned above be sidelined.

However, although competition is rife for the goalkeeper spot, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez prefers Porto’s Diogo Costa as his number one.

The 24-year-old is enjoying a solid season with Porto, making over 40 appearances this season and keeping over 15 clean sheets in all competitions. 

He may have those odd days when he is below par, but Costa will undoubtedly be one of the highest-rated goalkeepers playing in Germany this summer.

Apart from Costa, Portugal also has a reliable pair of hands in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jose Sa. 

The 31-year-old is a top goalie with experience playing at the highest level. He may be the man to deputise Costa, and there should be no doubt that he will perform well.

Further down the pecking order is Rui Patricio, the long-time Portuguese servant and keeper with the most caps for the national team. 

The 36-year-old has seen his game time reduce in AS Roma this season, but Martinez still rates him highly and is likely to have him on the plane to Germany.

Defenders

Portugal is also blessed with an array of top-quality defenders. Martinez is spoilt for choice in this department, as he has at least 12 names to cover the four positions at the back.

Diogo Dalot, Rúben Dias, Pepe, António Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Danilo Pereira, Nuno Mendes, Raphaël Guerreiro and João Cancelo (despite his recent troubles at Barcelona) are practically guaranteed to be in the plane heading to Germany.

Dias, Pepe, Danilo, and Inácio will likely battle for a regular place in central defence, while Diogo Dalot, Cancelo, and Mendes will contest the full-back positions.

Other quality options available for Martinez include Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva, and Toti. So, should any of the names mentioned first need to be replaced due to fitness issues, Martinez will not hesitate to bring in a player like Semedo, who has impressed whenever given a chance, as in the 5-2 victory against Sweden.

Overall, Portugal is well stocked in defence, and Diogo Dalot and João Cancelo's versatility, which allows them to play almost anywhere across the back four, makes them very unpredictable.

Midfielders

Few European countries boast Portugal's quality in the middle of its park. On paper, the Seleção have one of the best midfielders in the world currently, with more than enough options to build a winning team.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is the star name in the midfield and should be a nailed-on starter in the European Championship. 

The 29-year-old may be having a poor season at Old Trafford, but his personal record puts him head and shoulders above most midfielders in Europe. 

Fernandes is consistently among the top three for chance-created and has played almost every minute of the club’s campaign. 

The mercurial midfielder is one of only two players in Europe’s five major leagues to notch over a hundred key passes and underlined his creative ability with a hat-trick of assists for the national team in a 9-1 mauling over Luxembourg back in October.

Apart from Fernandes, Portugal also has defensive midfield maestro João Palinha in its ranks, while Pedro Gonçalves, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Danilo Pereira, João Neves, and Vitinha are considered among the best players in Europe in their positions. 

Other players who may be on that plane to Germany are Daniel Podence, Ruben Neves, and Otavio.

Attackers

The attack is undoubtedly where Portugal is spoilt for choice, and Martinez may struggle to select players.

The Seleção has one of the most potent attacks in Europe currently, with the likes of Diogo Jota, Rafael Leao, João Felix, Bruma, and Francisco Conceição.

Jota Silva, Trincao, Goncalo Ramos, Danny Mota and Cristiano Ronaldo are also in their ranks.

Ronaldo is one of the biggest names on the team and may still command a starting berth on this side. 

The Al-Nassr forward, though at the twilight of his career, remains a goalscoring machine and will undoubtedly contribute goals when called upon.

However, unlike in former times when he was the leading man for Portugal, Martinez has other players who can comfortably replace him.

Chief among them is Liverpool's goal machine, Diogo Jota. The forward is one of the most clinical players in Europe and, if fit, should start most of Portugal's games.

Rafael Leao is another guaranteed starter and will serve as Portugal's only established wide forward, considering that Pedro Neto has been ruled out due to injury. 

But in Neto’s absence, there will be an opportunity for Porto winger Francisco Conceição. The youngster enjoyed a breakout season in 2023/24 and was one of the few players who came out of the Slovenia debacle in March with some credit.

Braga’s Bruma, PSG's Goncalo Ramos, who burst onto the scene at the FIFA World Cup and João Felix are all options in attack.

Coach

Roberto Martinez may have failed in his last job as Belgium's coach after failing to win a major trophy with the Red Devil's golden generation. Still, he is undoubtedly one of the best coaches at the 2024 European Championship.

The Spanish tactician has proven his genius by transforming Portugal since his appointment. Under his tutelage, Portugal played eleven games without defeat, eventually losing in a friendly match with Slovenia.

Martinez is the coach with the most victories in the Belgian national team's history and also led them to their highest-ever World Cup finish when his Belgium side beat England to win third place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

If he can shake off his tag as a nearly-man, he could finally land his first trophy as a national team coach.