We take a look at the We present to you th top 10 Portugal forwards in history, n the world of football, the striker remains the fans’ number one star, as he is the one who makes the difference by scoring decisive goals and creating unforgettable moments.
And although Portuguese football is full of stars and talents who shone brightly with various top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United—like Luís Figo and Nani—Ronaldo managed to steal the spotlight from them all with his remarkable goal-scoring record.
Top 10 Portugal forwards of All Time.. Ranked
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Sitting at the very top is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. At 39, his story remains one of the most remarkable in football history.
From his early days as a prodigious youngster in Madeira to becoming a global icon, Ronaldo’s career has been defined by relentless ambition, discipline, and record-breaking success.
His journey began at Sporting CP before earning a move to Manchester United in 2003, where he lifted three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, also securing his first Ballon d’Or in 2008. In 2009, he joined Real Madrid in a then-record transfer, and over nine unforgettable years, he rewrote history—becoming the club’s all-time top scorer with more than 450 goals, while winning four Champions League crowns and multiple La Liga titles.
Later spells at Juventus, a return to Manchester United, and his current chapter with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia have only cemented his legacy as one of the game’s greatest ever. With over 800 career goals and five Ballon d’Ors, Ronaldo stands as the benchmark for excellence in modern football.
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2. Eusébio
Eusébio, “The Black Panther,” is remembered as one of football’s most electrifying forwards. Born in Mozambique, he became a Benfica legend, scoring over 600 goals and leading the club to 11 league titles and a European Cup in 1962. His dazzling pace, powerful shot, and elegance on the ball made him unstoppable. At the 1966 World Cup, Eusébio carried Portugal to third place, finishing as top scorer with nine goals. Twice a European Golden Shoe winner and a Ballon d’Or recipient, he remains the symbol of Portuguese football greatness.
3. Luís Figo
A world-class winger and Ballon d’Or winner, Luís Figo epitomized grace and power on the pitch. A Sporting CP academy product, he became a hero at Barcelona before his controversial move to Real Madrid in 2000, a transfer that shook football.
With Los Blancos, Figo lifted La Liga and the Champions League, later adding four Serie A titles with Inter Milan. Across two decades, he earned 127 caps for Portugal, cementing himself as one of the finest wide players of his generation.
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4. Paulo Futre
Known for his flair and explosive dribbling, Paulo Futre drew comparisons to Diego Maradona. The left winger starred in Porto’s 1987 European Cup triumph, earning Man of the Match in the final.
Later, he became a cult hero at Atlético Madrid, guiding them to Copa del Rey success and captaining the side during the 1990s. Though injuries shortened his career, Futre’s dazzling style left an unforgettable mark on Portuguese football.
5. Fernando Peyroteo
One of football’s most prolific strikers, Fernando Peyroteo remains a hidden legend outside Portugal. Playing for Sporting CP between 1937 and 1949, he scored goals at a staggering rate—averaging 1.68 per game, one of the best in history.
Known as “The Tank” for his strength, he won five league titles and finished as top scorer six times. Later, as national team coach, Peyroteo gave Eusébio his Portugal debut, linking two golden eras of Portuguese football.
6. João Pinto
Nicknamed “The Golden Boy,” João Pinto was a versatile forward who shone for Portugal’s famous Golden Generation. A key figure at Benfica, he helped the club to the 1994 league title and twice won the CNID Footballer of the Year award.
Internationally, he represented Portugal at a World Cup and two European Championships, combining creativity with a knack for crucial goals.
7. Nani
Often compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani built his own impressive legacy, after breaking through at Sporting CP, he joined Manchester United in 2007, where he won four Premier League titles and a Champions League. For Portugal, he was pivotal in their Euro 2016 triumph, captaining the side after Ronaldo’s injury in the final.
Renowned for his skill, crossing, and work rate, Nani earned over 100 caps and enjoyed a career across Europe, the USA, and beyond.
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8. Fernando Gomes
A lethal striker and Porto icon, Fernando Gomes remains the club’s all-time leading scorer. Nicknamed “Bi-bota” after winning the European Golden Shoe twice, he lifted five league titles with the Dragons and played a crucial role in their 1987 European Cup run. Despite missing the final through injury, Gomes’s goalscoring legacy in Portuguese football is unmatched.
9. José Águas
Known as “The Golden Head” for his aerial dominance, José Águas was a goal machine for Benfica during the 1950s and early ’60s. He scored nearly 300 goals for the club, leading them to multiple league titles and two European Cup victories—captaining the team to glory before handing the torch to Eusébio. His instinct inside the box made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers of his era.
10. Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma may never have fully lived up to his enormous potential, but he remains one of Portugal’s most skillful players.
Famous for his trademark “trivela” strike with the outside of his foot, he dazzled fans at Porto, where he won three league titles. His career took him across Europe and Turkey, with standout spells at Besiktas and Porto again. For Portugal, he was part of the historic Euro 2016-winning squad, finally delivering on the international stage.
