Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Portugal
Portugal arguably have the most star-studded squad of all at Euro 2024 but enter as fourth favourites for glory in Germany.
Can they repeat their 2016 heroics? We run the rule over Roberto Martinez’s men in our comprehensive team guide, which features players to watch, tactical analysis, predicted line-ups, best bets and more.
How Portugal qualified for Euro 2024
If Portugal are looking for good omens heading into this summer’s tournament, their qualifying campaign is an obvious place to start.
The Selecao won a perfect 10 out of 10 matches, becoming only the ninth side to ever achieve such a feat — the last of which was reigning champions Italy when reaching Euro 2020.
It’s fair to say their group was not overrun with quality, though. Slovakia came in second on 22 points, comfortably ahead of third-placed Luxembourg and well clear of lowly Iceland, Bosnia and Liechtenstein.
But you can only beat what is in front of you and Roberto Martinez’s men did that emphatically, notching 34 goals and conceding just two, which both came in a 3-2 home win over Slovakia.
Predictably, Cristiano Ronaldo top-scored with 10 strikes despite missing out on the 9-0 romp against Luxembourg.
Portugal’s squad for Euro 2024
Portugal announced a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patrício (Roma), José Sá (Wolves)
Defenders: João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Nuno Mendes (Paris), Pepe (Porto), Nélson Semedo (Wolves), António Silva (Benfica)
Midfielders: Danilo (Paris), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Pedro Neto (Wolves), João Neves (Benfica), Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), João Palhinha (Fulham), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (Paris)
Forwards: Francisco Conceição (Porto), João Félix (Barcelona), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
Portugal’s predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Portugal’s star player - Cristiano Ronaldo
There is not much more to say about the phenomenon that is Cristiano Ronaldo, who may well be about to make his major tournament farewell at Euro 2024.
Now 39, the Manchester United and Real Madrid icon is still banging in the goals in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League with Al-Nassr and his international boss Martinez remains convinced his superstar striker still has what it takes to shine at international level.
His 10 strikes in qualifying for this tournament suggest that is indeed the case, though the calibre of opposition he faced there could well be pointed to as a caveat.
Yet for Ronaldo, who holds countless European Championships records including most goals and most apperances, age truly does appear to be just a number.
The forward remains in a physical shape that most 30-year-olds could only dream of, while his hunger to excel on the highest level has not faltered one bit.
Perhaps CR7 will feel a need to lead Portugal to another title for selfish reasons. After shining en route to the Euro 2016 final, he memorably limped off early in the showpiece — spending the remainder of a famous win orchestrating from the sidelines next to boss Fernando Santos.
Santos left Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s two knockout games at the 2022 World Cup but similar treatment from current incumbent Martinez looks highly unlikely.
After announcing his finals squad, the Spaniard said: “Cristiano offers us a quality in front of goal which we greatly appreciate and which we need".
Portugal’s one to watch - Goncalo Ramos
While Portugal’s present remains in the safe hands of the legendary Ronaldo, their future looks bright too — as evidenced by Goncalo Ramos’ Qatar 2022 heroics.
All the noise heading into the Selecao’s last-16 World Cup clash with Switzerland surrounded their skipper, who had been dropped by ex-boss Santos after angrily reacting to being substituted in his nation’s last group game.
But his replacement Ramos helped quash that controversy by marking his first major tournament debut with a clinical hat-trick, inspiring Portugal to a 6-1 win.
Though their tournament rather forgettably ended a few days later against Morocco, Ramos’ exploits had left a lasting impact. Paris Saint-Germain swooped, taking him on a season-long loan from boyhood club Benfica with a view to make things permanent for €65 million.
And though his first season in Paris has been blighted by a battle with a virus in winter which even led to his hospitalisation, eight strikes in his final 14 Ligue 1 outings suggest the 22-year-old is back at his best.
PSG have seen enough to trigger the buy clause and it appears just as he will be expected to fill Ronaldo’s boots at international level, the dynamic forward may be the heir to Kylian Mbappe’s throne with Les Parisiens.
Portugal’s manager - Roberto Martinez
Popular boss Roberto Martinez is now in his second international management role with Portugal following a mixed six-year stint with Belgium.
Some would argue that the 50-year-old Spaniard continues to “fall upwards” in his coaching journey. After all, he landed the Everton job after overseeing a Premier League relegation at Wigan. Then, when the Toffees sacked him, he was chosen to take over a star-studded Belgium squad.
Martinez was supposed to be the man who led the Red Devils’ “golden generation” to a tournament triumph, though that never materialised. A third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup was as good as it got, sandwiched either side of two European Championship quarter-final exits.
Of course, he has enjoyed success too. Wigan won the FA Cup under his tutelage in one of the game’s greatest shocks. Everton played some fantastic possession football during his first campaign at Goodison Park en route to a fifth-place finish, while Belgium were probably the best team in Russia when cruelly exiting 1-0 to France in the final four.
Perhaps most crucially, though, Martinez is one of the most personable and eloquent tacticians around.
A “media darling” during his time in England, he is a masterful speaker who often buys himself more time in jobs due to the good will he generates among his superiors.
In the cold light of day, however, anything less than a deep run with this hugely talented Portugal side at Euro 2024 would simply hand his critics another stick to beat him with.
Portugal’s Euro 2024 betting odds
Portugal to win Euro 2024 - 8/1
Portugal to reach the Euro 2024 final - 4/1
Portugal to win Group F - 1/2
Portugal top team goalscorer - Cristiano Ronaldo 5/6, Bruno Fernandes 7/1, Goncalo Ramos 17/2, 10/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Portugal at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now’s Matt Hill:
“In terms of star quality, Portugal’s starting XI can rival any at this summer’s tournament and it is no surprise to see them being well supported to lift the trophy at 8/1.
“Cristiano Ronaldo remains captain and line-leader at the ripe old age of 39 and while he retains his unrivalled scoring touch, will to win and gigantic ego, his general play looks to be slightly on the wane.
“That said, he won’t be short of chances with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernando Silva operating behind him, while exciting youngsters like Rafael Leao and Goncalo Ramos make this a formidable attacking unit.
“Group F looks tailor-made for this side, who have proven themselves to be flat-track bullies in qualifying. Don’t be surprised to see them shorten further in the betting after a couple of early convincing wins.
“I do have reservations about them against the very best, though — particularly at the back. Pepe still gets a game despite being in his early forties and there is a noticeable lack of pace in the ranks.
“A recent 2-0 friendly defeat to Slovakia should serve as a warning shot to potential backers, while there are also some big characters in that dressing room which Roberto Martinez will need to manage carefully.
“The 6/4 about them making the semis feels about right but I think that’s where their tournament ends.”
Matt’s Best Bets:
Portugal to get exactly nine points - 11/4
Portugal to be eliminated in the semi-finals - 4/1