Best 15Portugalof the 2020s

Portugal's most productive creator at the 2022 World Cup, recording two goals and three assists while providing elite passing, movement and long-range shooting.

A world-class playmaker and one of Portugal's most technically accomplished players of the decade, valued for ball retention, creativity and positional intelligence.

Portugal's captain and record scorer remained a high-level finisher in the early 2020s. He scored against Ghana in 2022, becoming the first man to score at five World Cups.

Portugal's defensive leader and one of the world's leading centre-backs during the 2020s, combining anticipation, authority and elite penalty-area defending.

An elite attacking full-back during the decade, renowned for creativity, technical versatility and the ability to influence matches from either flank or midfield.

A technically elite midfielder whose press resistance, passing control and tactical intelligence made him one of Portugal's outstanding players of the mid-2020s.

Portugal's most explosive wide forward of the decade. He scored twice as a substitute at the 2022 World Cup and developed into a major international star.

Even in his late thirties, Pepe remained an authoritative and fiercely competitive defender. He scored against Switzerland in the 2022 World Cup round of 16.

An outstanding ball-winning midfielder whose tackling, positioning and physical strength provided Portugal with elite defensive protection.

Portugal's first-choice goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup and a leading modern goalkeeper of the decade, particularly noted for distribution, reflexes and penalty saves.

A dynamic two-way left-back with exceptional speed and carrying ability. Injury limited his 2022 World Cup, but his decade-level quality warrants inclusion.

A composed deep-lying midfielder and established Portugal regular, distinguished by long-range distribution, set pieces and tactical discipline.

A gifted and versatile attacker who started throughout Portugal's 2022 campaign, scoring against Ghana and contributing creatively during the knockout stage.

A balanced, athletic full-back who performed strongly when introduced during the 2022 World Cup and became increasingly important to Portugal later in the decade.

Produced one of Portugal's great World Cup displays by scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland in his first World Cup start in 2022.