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| 2004 Champions league title |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Portugal
Benfica, Porto, Sporting SP.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Domestically, FC Porto is the second most successful club in Portugal. In European Cup's history, they are known for two historical upset wins. In 1987, Porto played against the favored Bayern Munich at the European Cup Final. They were still trailing 1-0 at the 79th minute when Porto scored two goals within two minutes to win the Cup for the first time. In 2002, the club hired Jose Mourinho and he turned into a Golden team. Porto took the 2003 UEFA Cup and then, a year later, the Champions' League as the underdog.
GK: Helton (Brazil)
CB: Jorge Costa (Portugal)
Except at the very end of his career, Jorge Costa played his entire career with Porto, serving as its captain for a few seasons. He won the 2003 UEFA Cup and the 2004 Champions League with them. He also played for Standard Liège. At the international level, he was a part of the Golden Generation that won the U-20 World Cup in 1991. He represented Portugal at Euro 2000 and the World Cup 2002.
ST: Fernando Gomes (Portugal)
Fernando Gomes was widely considered to be one of Porto's greatest players. He helped Porto to win the 1978-79 league title after a 20 year drought. He also brought home the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup. In 1987, he was injured and did not play at the Final of the 1987 European Cup Final, but he was a key player through the tournament. For Portugal, he played in World Cup 1986 and the European Championship in 1984.
ST: Rabah Madjer (Algeria)
Rabah Madjer is probably the most successful Algerian player in Europe. He scored the first goal of the 2-1 victory over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup Finals. Five years later, he again broke the Germans' hearts when he scored a goal and set up another as Porto beat Bayern Munich at the European Cup Final in 1987. He played 87 times for Algeria. He also played domestic football in Algeria, France, Qatar and Portugal.
Honorable Mention
-- Deco was probably Porto's best player during Jose Mourinho's reign over here. He was voted the Man of the Match in the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final. As a result, he was named as a runner-up for Ballon d'Or runner-up and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for that season. Teofilo Cubillas' career was not decorated here. He won a single Taça de Portugal, but in his time, he was considered one of the best players in the world.
Portugal
Benfica, Porto, Sporting SP.
Domestically, FC Porto is the second most successful club in Portugal. In European Cup's history, they are known for two historical upset wins. In 1987, Porto played against the favored Bayern Munich at the European Cup Final. They were still trailing 1-0 at the 79th minute when Porto scored two goals within two minutes to win the Cup for the first time. In 2002, the club hired Jose Mourinho and he turned into a Golden team. Porto took the 2003 UEFA Cup and then, a year later, the Champions' League as the underdog.
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| 1987 European Cup |
Team
GK: Victor Baia (Portugal)
Vitor Baia was Portugal's most decorated keeper. He was one of two keepers who had won all three UEFA main club competitions. With Porto, he won 26 titles, including the Champions League in 2004. He played briefly with Barcelona. For Portugal, he had 80 caps. He played in the European Championship in 1996 and 2000, and the World Cup finals in 2002.
GK: Frederico Barrigana (Portugal)
Frederico Barrigana was Known as the "Iron Hand". He started his career with the youth team of Sporting CP, but he joined Porto in 1943 after the Porto's keeper Bela Andrasik ran away due to his ant-Nazi stand and Sporting CP sent him to Porto. He played over 250 games for Porto between 1943 and 1952. He was capped 12 times for Portugal between 1948 and 1952. He played a few seasons in the lower division after he left Porto in 1958.
GK: Victor Baia (Portugal)
Vitor Baia was Portugal's most decorated keeper. He was one of two keepers who had won all three UEFA main club competitions. With Porto, he won 26 titles, including the Champions League in 2004. He played briefly with Barcelona. For Portugal, he had 80 caps. He played in the European Championship in 1996 and 2000, and the World Cup finals in 2002.
GK: Frederico Barrigana (Portugal)
Frederico Barrigana was Known as the "Iron Hand". He started his career with the youth team of Sporting CP, but he joined Porto in 1943 after the Porto's keeper Bela Andrasik ran away due to his ant-Nazi stand and Sporting CP sent him to Porto. He played over 250 games for Porto between 1943 and 1952. He was capped 12 times for Portugal between 1948 and 1952. He played a few seasons in the lower division after he left Porto in 1958.
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| Frederio Barringana |
After starting out at Vasco da Gama in 1999 he went on to spend his professional career in Portugal, representing União de Leiria and Porto and winning 18 major titles for the latter club. He spent 11 seasons with Porto helping them to win the Europa Cup in 2011. Over 14 seasons, he appeared in 299 Primeira Liga games. Helton appeared 3 times for Brazil. He was an unused when Brazil won the 2007 Copa América.
RB: Joao Pinto (Portugal)
Bobby Robson said of him: "He has two hearts and four legs. It's extremely difficult to find a player like him." He won the European Cup in 1987 with Porto. He was one of Porto's greatest fullbacks. He spent his entire professional career with Porto, winning nine leagues and the 1987 European Cup. He played 70 times for Portugal. He went to the 1986 World Cup Finals as well as the European Championship in 1984.
RB/LB: Paulo Ferreira (Portugal)
Paulo Ferreira joined Porto in 2002, where he won the UEFA Cup in 2003, and the Champions' league a year later. In 2004, he followed Jose Mourinho to Chelsea. He helped Chelsea to win their first league title after 50 years. For Portugal, he was capped 62 times. From Euro 2004 to the World cup 2010, he was selected each of the tournament but was in and out of the starting lineup.
CB: Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
Ricardo Carvalho was the hero of Porto's Champions' League winning team in 2004. He then played 6 seasons with Chelsea. He also played for Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho was his manager at the three clubs. He also played for Monaco and Shanghai SIPG. He was capped 76 times for Portugal. He helped Portugal to reach the Final of Euro 2004 at home and the semifinal of the World Cup Finals in 2006. He was a part of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning team.
RB: Joao Pinto (Portugal)
Bobby Robson said of him: "He has two hearts and four legs. It's extremely difficult to find a player like him." He won the European Cup in 1987 with Porto. He was one of Porto's greatest fullbacks. He spent his entire professional career with Porto, winning nine leagues and the 1987 European Cup. He played 70 times for Portugal. He went to the 1986 World Cup Finals as well as the European Championship in 1984.
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| Joao Pinto |
Paulo Ferreira joined Porto in 2002, where he won the UEFA Cup in 2003, and the Champions' league a year later. In 2004, he followed Jose Mourinho to Chelsea. He helped Chelsea to win their first league title after 50 years. For Portugal, he was capped 62 times. From Euro 2004 to the World cup 2010, he was selected each of the tournament but was in and out of the starting lineup.
CB: Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
Ricardo Carvalho was the hero of Porto's Champions' League winning team in 2004. He then played 6 seasons with Chelsea. He also played for Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho was his manager at the three clubs. He also played for Monaco and Shanghai SIPG. He was capped 76 times for Portugal. He helped Portugal to reach the Final of Euro 2004 at home and the semifinal of the World Cup Finals in 2006. He was a part of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning team.
CB: Jorge Costa (Portugal)
Except at the very end of his career, Jorge Costa played his entire career with Porto, serving as its captain for a few seasons. He won the 2003 UEFA Cup and the 2004 Champions League with them. He also played for Standard Liège. At the international level, he was a part of the Golden Generation that won the U-20 World Cup in 1991. He represented Portugal at Euro 2000 and the World Cup 2002.
CB: Aloisio (Brazil)
Aloisio played from Internacional in Brazil. He won Bola de Prata in 1987. He joined Barcelona from Internacional in 1988, but his career only took off in Porto, where he spent 11 years between 1990 and 2011. He was one of five players who won 5 consecutive league titles with them. In total, he won 7 titles. He earned 6 caps for Brazil in 1988. He also won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
CB: Pepe (Portugal/Brazil)
Born in Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal playing for Maritimo. In 2004, he moved to Porto while he established himself as one of the best defenders in Portugal. In 2007, he earned a dream move to Real Madrid. At the time of writing, he won two Champions' league with them. Although born in Brazil, he chose to represent Portugal. At Euro 2016, he emerged as one of Portugal's best players as Portugal won their first ever international trophy. He earned the Man of the Match in the Final against France.
LB: Branco (Brazil)
Aloisio played from Internacional in Brazil. He won Bola de Prata in 1987. He joined Barcelona from Internacional in 1988, but his career only took off in Porto, where he spent 11 years between 1990 and 2011. He was one of five players who won 5 consecutive league titles with them. In total, he won 7 titles. He earned 6 caps for Brazil in 1988. He also won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
CB: Pepe (Portugal/Brazil)
Born in Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal playing for Maritimo. In 2004, he moved to Porto while he established himself as one of the best defenders in Portugal. In 2007, he earned a dream move to Real Madrid. At the time of writing, he won two Champions' league with them. Although born in Brazil, he chose to represent Portugal. At Euro 2016, he emerged as one of Portugal's best players as Portugal won their first ever international trophy. He earned the Man of the Match in the Final against France.
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| Pepe |
Branco appeared 72 times for Brazil, between April 1985 and February 1995. He went to both Italia 1990 and USA 1994. In 1994, he scored a powerful against Holland that sent Brazil to the semifinal. On the club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980–81), Fluminense (1981–86), Brescia (1986–88), FC Porto (1988–91), Genoa (1991–93), Grêmio (1992–94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997).
LB: Alex Sandro (Brazil)
LB: Alex Sandro (Brazil)
Alex Sandro began his career with Atletico Paranaense, and later also played for Santos on loan. In 2011, he joined Porto. Joining Juventus in 2015, winning the domestic double in his first three seasons, followed by two more consecutive league titles over the following two years. At international level, Alex Sandro gained 40 caps. He was later also part of the Brazil squad that won the 2019 Copa América.
DM: Antonio Andre (Portugal)
Antonio Andre was known as hard tackler. He started at Varzim SC, a small club in Portugal before being discovered by Porto in 1979. He would spend 9 years with Porto. He helped Porto to win the 1987 European Cup. At the international level, Andre earned 20 caps for Portugal. Two of his caps came during the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.
Antonio Andre was known as hard tackler. He started at Varzim SC, a small club in Portugal before being discovered by Porto in 1979. He would spend 9 years with Porto. He helped Porto to win the 1987 European Cup. At the international level, Andre earned 20 caps for Portugal. Two of his caps came during the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.
CM/DM: Maniche (Portugal)
Maniche played top-flight football in Portugal, Russia, England, Spain, Italy and Germany, and in 2004 he helped Porto to the Champions League, one of eight trophies won with that club. He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 177 matches and 31 goals in seven seasons. He won 52 caps for Portugal, representing the nation at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup and finishing runner-up in the former competition. He was named on the 2006 World Cup All-Star team.
AM: António Oliveira (Portugal)
As a player, he notably represented two of the Big Three in his country, Porto and Sporting, amassing totals of 267 matches and 99 Primeira Liga goals between the two and also later managing the former club with great success. In the 1977–78 season, he helped Porto winning the league after a 19-year drought. He earned 24 caps for Portugal over a nine-year spell,
CM: Deco (Portugal/Brazil)
Born in Brazil, he played for many clubs in both Brazil and Portugal before making it with Porto in 1999. He was the star of Porto's Champions' League title in 2003-2004, and then, another one in 2005-2006 with Barcelona FC. Deco chose to represent Portugal internationally. He was capped 75 times for Portugal between 2003 and 2010.
AM: Teofilo Cubillas (Peru)
Teofilo Cubillas is Peru's greatest ever player. He was a part of three World Cup teams: 1970, 1978 and 1982. Nicknamed El Nene (The Kid), he was part of the Peru national team that won the 1975 Copa América. He is one of only three players to score five or more goals in two different World Cup Finals. He finished Number 17 at the South American Player of the Century award in 2006. He is associated with Alianza Lima, but also played in Portugal, Switzerland and the United States.
AM: Lucho Gonzalez (Argentina)
After starring for River Plate between 2002 and 2005, Lucho Gonzalez moved to Porto, eventually becoming their captain. In 2009, he went to Marseille and after three seasons, he returned to Porto. At the time of writing, he is with River Plate. From 2003 to 2011, he earned 45 caps for Argentina. He went to the 2006 World Cup Finals.
RW/LW: Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal)
Ricardo Quaresma started his career with Sporting CP and moved to Barcelona as a highly, rated winger in 2003. After three successful years with Porto, he went to Inter Milan and then, Besiktas. He is often seemed as a player unable to fulfill his talents. However, he had a great Euro 2016, where Portugal won its first ever major trophy. He scored the lone goal vs Croatia in the round of 16 and the winning penalty kick in the quarterfinal against Poland.
LW: Ljuinko Drulovic (Yugoslavia)
In 1992, Ljuinko Drulovic went to play for Gil Vicente in Portugal. A year later, he joined Porto, where he won 5 straight, league title. He was also known for his partnership with Mario Jardel, who won the European Golden Shoe. Later in his career, he joined Benfica and FK Partizan. He had 37 caps for Yugoslavia. He went to the 1998 World Cup and European Championship in 2000.
LW: Paulo Futre (Portugal)
Paulo Futre won a European Cup with Porto in 1987. He was the best Portuguese player in the 1980's. He gained more than 40 caps for his country, representing it at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He played in Spain, France, Italy and Japan, most notably with Atlético Madrid and Porto. With Porto, he won the European Cup in 1987, putting on a Man of the match performance in the final against FC Bayern Munich.
FW: Hernani (Portugal)
Hernani played two spells for Porto between 1950 and 1952, and between 1953 and 1964. He was the second leading scorer for Porto and was among Porto's greatest players. He won two league titles in the 1950's. In between, he played for Estoril for a single season. He was capped 28 times for Portugal between 1953 and 1964, scoring 6 goals.
FW: Pinga (Portugal)
Liked Cristano Ronaldo, Pinga came from Madeira. He was one of the first major star players from Portugal and Porto during the 1930's. He started with Martimo in 1929. He joined Porto in 1930 and played until 1946. He is considered to be among Porto's greatest players. He became the key player of the victories in the 31–32 and 36–37 Campeonato de Portugal. For Portugal, he made his debut while playing for Martimo. He had 21 caps from 1930 and 1942.
ST: Mario Jardel (Brazil)
During his prime, Mario Jardel was one of the most prolific strikers in European football. He scored 266 goals in 274 games. He won the European Golden Boot for two years. He played for clubs in Brazil, England, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Argentina and Australia. His best years were with Porto, Galatasaray and Sporting CP. His national team career was limited due to playing with a golden generation of good strikers. He only played 10 times for Brazil, scoring a single goal. He went to Copa America in 2001.
CM: Deco (Portugal/Brazil)
Born in Brazil, he played for many clubs in both Brazil and Portugal before making it with Porto in 1999. He was the star of Porto's Champions' League title in 2003-2004, and then, another one in 2005-2006 with Barcelona FC. Deco chose to represent Portugal internationally. He was capped 75 times for Portugal between 2003 and 2010.
AM: Teofilo Cubillas (Peru)
Teofilo Cubillas is Peru's greatest ever player. He was a part of three World Cup teams: 1970, 1978 and 1982. Nicknamed El Nene (The Kid), he was part of the Peru national team that won the 1975 Copa América. He is one of only three players to score five or more goals in two different World Cup Finals. He finished Number 17 at the South American Player of the Century award in 2006. He is associated with Alianza Lima, but also played in Portugal, Switzerland and the United States.
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| Teofilo Cubillas |
After starring for River Plate between 2002 and 2005, Lucho Gonzalez moved to Porto, eventually becoming their captain. In 2009, he went to Marseille and after three seasons, he returned to Porto. At the time of writing, he is with River Plate. From 2003 to 2011, he earned 45 caps for Argentina. He went to the 2006 World Cup Finals.
RW/LW: Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal)
Ricardo Quaresma started his career with Sporting CP and moved to Barcelona as a highly, rated winger in 2003. After three successful years with Porto, he went to Inter Milan and then, Besiktas. He is often seemed as a player unable to fulfill his talents. However, he had a great Euro 2016, where Portugal won its first ever major trophy. He scored the lone goal vs Croatia in the round of 16 and the winning penalty kick in the quarterfinal against Poland.
LW: Ljuinko Drulovic (Yugoslavia)
In 1992, Ljuinko Drulovic went to play for Gil Vicente in Portugal. A year later, he joined Porto, where he won 5 straight, league title. He was also known for his partnership with Mario Jardel, who won the European Golden Shoe. Later in his career, he joined Benfica and FK Partizan. He had 37 caps for Yugoslavia. He went to the 1998 World Cup and European Championship in 2000.
LW: Paulo Futre (Portugal)
Paulo Futre won a European Cup with Porto in 1987. He was the best Portuguese player in the 1980's. He gained more than 40 caps for his country, representing it at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He played in Spain, France, Italy and Japan, most notably with Atlético Madrid and Porto. With Porto, he won the European Cup in 1987, putting on a Man of the match performance in the final against FC Bayern Munich.
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| Paulo Futre |
Hernani played two spells for Porto between 1950 and 1952, and between 1953 and 1964. He was the second leading scorer for Porto and was among Porto's greatest players. He won two league titles in the 1950's. In between, he played for Estoril for a single season. He was capped 28 times for Portugal between 1953 and 1964, scoring 6 goals.
FW: Pinga (Portugal)
Liked Cristano Ronaldo, Pinga came from Madeira. He was one of the first major star players from Portugal and Porto during the 1930's. He started with Martimo in 1929. He joined Porto in 1930 and played until 1946. He is considered to be among Porto's greatest players. He became the key player of the victories in the 31–32 and 36–37 Campeonato de Portugal. For Portugal, he made his debut while playing for Martimo. He had 21 caps from 1930 and 1942.
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| Pinga |
During his prime, Mario Jardel was one of the most prolific strikers in European football. He scored 266 goals in 274 games. He won the European Golden Boot for two years. He played for clubs in Brazil, England, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Argentina and Australia. His best years were with Porto, Galatasaray and Sporting CP. His national team career was limited due to playing with a golden generation of good strikers. He only played 10 times for Brazil, scoring a single goal. He went to Copa America in 2001.
ST: Fernando Gomes (Portugal)
Fernando Gomes was widely considered to be one of Porto's greatest players. He helped Porto to win the 1978-79 league title after a 20 year drought. He also brought home the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup. In 1987, he was injured and did not play at the Final of the 1987 European Cup Final, but he was a key player through the tournament. For Portugal, he played in World Cup 1986 and the European Championship in 1984.
ST: Rabah Madjer (Algeria)
Rabah Madjer is probably the most successful Algerian player in Europe. He scored the first goal of the 2-1 victory over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup Finals. Five years later, he again broke the Germans' hearts when he scored a goal and set up another as Porto beat Bayern Munich at the European Cup Final in 1987. He played 87 times for Algeria. He also played domestic football in Algeria, France, Qatar and Portugal.
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| Rabah Madjer |
Honorable Mention
Josef Mlynarczyk (Poland), Miguel Siska (Hungary),
Américo (Portugal), Acúrci (Portugal), Miguel Layún (Mexico), Secretário (Portugal), Jose Bosingwa (Portugal), Virgilio Mendes (Portugal), Alex Telles (Brazil), Nuno Valente (Portugal), Álvaro Pereira (Uruguay), Miguel Arcanjo (Portugal), Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina), Fernando Couto (Portugal), Celso (Brazil), Augusto Inacio (Portugal), Paulo Assunção (Brazil), Rodolfo Reis (Portugal), Jaime Pacheco, Paulinho Santos (Portugal), Fernando (Brazil), Antonio Sousa (Portugal), Costinha (Portugal), Raul Meireles (Portugal), Pavão (Portugal), James Rodriguez (Colombia), Rui Barros (Portugal), Joao Moutinho (Portugal), Antonio Frasco (Portugal), Jaime Magalhaes (Portugal), Jose Pedroto (Portugal), Emil Kostadinov (Bulgaria), Zlatko Zahovic (Slovenia), Sérgio Conceição (Portugal), Acácio Mesquita (Portugal), Valdemar Mota (Portugal), Domingos Paciência (Portugal), Derlei (Brazil), Benni McCarthy (South Africa), Hulk (Brazil), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Derlei (Brazil), Lisandro López (Argentina), António Teixeira (Portugal), Jackson Martínez (Colombia), Correia Dias (Portugal), António Araújo (Portugal).
Squad Explanation
-- The original team was created in August 2016. I redid this in April 2025.
-- Teofilo Cubillas is among the greatest players ever from South America. He spent three seasons here, scoring over 60 goals. Some people listed him as Porto's greatest ever player. Pinga is considered to be Porto's greatest player. He is one of the first star players in Portugal. Rabah Madjer and Deco are often named as among their best ever. Joao Pinto might be on the list as well. Those players were the first ones that I selected into the team.
-- In 1987, Porto won their first European Cup. They pulled an upset over Bayern Munich that featured Lothar Matthäus. From that team, I selected Rabah Madjer, Fernando Gomes, Paulo Futre, Antonio Andre and Joao Pinto. Five years earlier, Rabah Madjer also scored a goal for Algeria that beat West Germany in the 1982 World Cup Finals. He did again in this Final against a German club team.
-- Jose Mourinho's place in history was established in the 2003 Champions League Final. From the 2013 team, I selected Deco, Victor Baia, Ricardo Carvalho, Jorge Costa and Paulo Ferreira. They also won the UEFA Cup the year before.
-- Teofilo Cubillas is among the greatest players ever from South America. He spent three seasons here, scoring over 60 goals. Some people listed him as Porto's greatest ever player. Pinga is considered to be Porto's greatest player. He is one of the first star players in Portugal. Rabah Madjer and Deco are often named as among their best ever. Joao Pinto might be on the list as well. Those players were the first ones that I selected into the team.
-- In 1987, Porto won their first European Cup. They pulled an upset over Bayern Munich that featured Lothar Matthäus. From that team, I selected Rabah Madjer, Fernando Gomes, Paulo Futre, Antonio Andre and Joao Pinto. Five years earlier, Rabah Madjer also scored a goal for Algeria that beat West Germany in the 1982 World Cup Finals. He did again in this Final against a German club team.
-- Jose Mourinho's place in history was established in the 2003 Champions League Final. From the 2013 team, I selected Deco, Victor Baia, Ricardo Carvalho, Jorge Costa and Paulo Ferreira. They also won the UEFA Cup the year before.
-- The Europa Cup winning team was underrepresented. Goalkeeper and captain Helton was the only player selected, but Hulk and Radamel Falcao because of the players ahead of them (see below).
-- The Foradejogo created an All-Time Best XI for Porto in 2024. the lineup was: Vítor Baía, João Pinto, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Fernando Couto, Deco, Antonio Oliveria, Lucho González, Madjer, Fernando Gomes and Paulo Futre.
-- In 2013, FC Porto conducted a poll for their All-Time Best XI for its 120th anniversary celebration. The lineup was: Vítor Baía, João Pintp, Branco, Ricardo Carvalho, Aloísio, Antonio André, Deco, Madjer, Hulk, Fernando Gomes and Paulo Futre.
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| Fernando Gomes |
-- For Porto's 130th anniversary celebration, the club's president, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, put together his All-Time Best XI. His lineup was: Victor Baía; João Pinto, Aloísio, Ricardo Carvalho, Branco, António Oliveira, Deco, and Madjer, Hulk, Futre and Fernando Gomes.
-- The 90min.com also created an Ideal XI for Porto in 2020. Their lineup was: Victor Baía; João Pinto, Aloísio, Ricardo Carvalho, and Branco; António André, Deco, Madjer; Hulk, Futre and Fernando Gomes.
Goalkeepers
-- Vitor Baia became a starter in Porto when he was only 19 years. He was voted into the "ESM Team of the Year" after the 1994–95 season and being named in the "IFFHS' World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year 1995 when he played here. He was considered Porto's greatest ever goalkeeper.
-- The second goalkeeper would be Frederico Barrigana. He was known as “Mãos de Ferro” (Iron Hands). He was a regular in his 12 seasons with club. Helton spent 11 seasons with the club. He helped them to win the 2011 Europa Cup. He was named the Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year in the 2010–11 and 2012–13 season. I found many information that suggested that he should be on this team.
-- Josef Mlynarczyk helped Porto to win the 1987 European Cup after beating out Ze Beto during the campaign. But he only spent 3 seasons with the club. I almost took Miguel Siska who was the first star goalkeeper for the club. He was a paid player at the time when football was amateur in Portugal. The other top goalkeepers were
Américo and Acúrci.
Defenders
-- Joao Pinto is their all-time appearance leader. He is also a one club man. He was often listed among Porto's greatest players. He was an undisputed selection for this team. Paulo Ferreira only spent 2 seasons here, but he was named on the UEFA Team of the Year: 2002–03 and ESM Team of the Year: 2003–04. He represented a glorious period of Porto. In 2016, Miguel Layún was an active player, and I overlooked him. By 2025, his name had been established as one of Porto's great rightbacks. However, I continued with Joao Pinto and Ferreira. Secretário and Jose Bosingwa were also considered. In 2016, I incorrectly put Virgilio Mendes as a leftback. He was in fact a rightback. He was a legend with Porto during the 1950's. He was born in 1926. He played his entire career for them, which lasted from 1947 to 1962. For Portugal, he earned the nickname "the Lion of Genoa" after a great performance against Italy in 1949. He earned 39 caps between 1949 and 1960, which was at that time a record. He could be the second rightback ahead of Ferreira.
-- Many information pointed to Branco as Porto's greatest leftback. I did not know much about Branco's career here. He only spent 2 and half seasons here, but I decided to trust the internet sources and took him. Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa selected him as Porto's greatest leftback. He was also on their 120th anniversary team. However, I had difficulty selecting the backup leftback. In 2016, I took Augusto Inacio who helped Porto to win their first European Cup in 1987. But the younger fans seemed to like Alex Sandro. He was listed several times as Porto's greatest leftback. He was named on O Jogo Team of the Year twice. Both Alex Telles and Nuno Valente were also seriously considered as well as Álvaro Pereira.
-- In 2016, I did not know if Pepe belonged to this team. In 2019, Pepe returned to Porto which helped to build his case. He was won the Quinas de Ouro Award for the Best Portuguese Player Playing in Portugal in 2020 as well as named on the Primeira Liga Team of the Year 4 times. He firmly established himself as one of Porto's greatest central defenders.
-- A lot of information suggested that Ricardo Carvalho as one of Porto's greatest defenders. He won the UEFA Club Best Defender of the Year award for the 2003–04 season. Aloísio was third in appearance for the club while Jorge Costa was 8th. Fernando Couto was probably more famous than the pair, but they were frequently mentioned among Porto's greatest defenders than Couto. So, I left him off.
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| Ricardo Carvalho |
Midfielders/Wingers
-- For defensive midfielder, I first took Antonio Andre. He was in two of the four All-Time Best XI above. Maniche was a famous player in his time with Porto. He was named on UEFA Team of the Year for 2004. He also won Man of the Match award at the Intercontinental Cup in 2004. He edged out Costinha for a spot on the team. Costinha won eight trophies with Porto, including the 2004 Champions League. He was a more defensive player than Maniche who was more of a box-to-box midfielder. I might need his defensive ability, but Maniche was a more important player. He was the engine of the team.
-- Besides Costinha, I almost took Rodolfo Reis or Jaime Magalhaes. Rodolfo was a one-club player who played for Porto between 1972 and 1984. He was a former captain over here. Jaime Magalhães spent 15 seasons here. He was a part of the 1987 European Cup winning team. I also looked into Paulo Assunção, Paulinho Santos and Fernando (Brazil). In summer of 1984, Antonio Sousa and Jaime Pacheco joined Sporting CP – as part of the deal that sent 17-year-old prodigy Paulo Futre in the opposite direction. With the pair returning to Porto after two seasons, the deal was great for the club. Both Sousa and Pacheco were also put on honorable mentions.
-- Lucho González was a mainly an offensive midfielder, but he was also deployed as a defensive midfielder during his time here. For this team, he would serve as the emergency defensive midfielder. Of course, he was selected as an attacking midfielder. During his time with the club, Porto reached another height. He won the Golden Ball in 2009 for being the best player in Portugal. However, the top attack midfielders on the team would be Deco, Teofilo Cubillas and Antonio Oliveria.
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| Antonio Oliveria |
-- In 2016, I selected Joao Moutinho because I credited him for winning the Europa Cup in 2011. In 2025, I realized that António Oliveira should be ahead him. António Oliveira was named Portuguese Footballer of the Year twice during his time in Porto. Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa named him as his All-Time Best XI. I came across a player named Pavão who died at the age of 26. The older fans said that he would have become the best ever Porto player. I put him on honorable mention.
-- Ricardo Quaresma won the Dragão de Ouro Award in 2005. His label as being "better than Cristano Ronaldo" destroyed his reputation. He did not live up to his tag with the bigger clubs. With Porto, he was great. He could play both sides of the wing.
-- On the left wing, I chose Ljubinko Drulović and Paulo Futre. Known as “Drulo,” Drulović was renowned for his exceptional passing and crossing ability, playing a crucial role in turning striker Mário Jardel into a prolific goal scorer. During his time at the club, he won five consecutive league titles and was just as much of a star as Jardel when they played together. Paulo Futre was probably Portugal's greatest player between the 1960's and 1990's. He was just overshadowed by his previous generations and the generations of players after him. In Porto, he brought home the European Cup. Because of that, he finished second in the 1987 Ballon d'Or. Derlei was more of a forward, but he could also play as a left wing forward. I left him off this team.
Forwards
-- Pinga, Rabah Madjer and Fernando Gomes were undisputed selections.
-- Pinga was Portugal's first football idol. In Porto, he formed the famous attack line known as "Os Três Diabos do Meio-dia"(The Three Noon Devils) with Acácio Mesquita and Valdemar Mota.
-- Fernando Gomes is Porto's all-time leading scorer and contributed to the 1987 European Cup. He was often listed among Porto's greatest player. He was also Bola de Prata winner 6 times, a record for Porto player.
-- Rabah Madjer scored the famous backheel goal against Bayern Munich in the 1987 European Cup Final. He also assisted Juary's winning goal. Against Penarol in the following Intercontinental Cup, he scored the winning goal. At the end of the season, he was named the African Player of the Year.
-- Hulk and Radamel Falcao might have been a better choice than Mario Jardel and Hernani. Hulk was voted into the greatest lineup by Porto fans for their 120th Anniversary team. He alongside Radamel Falcao won the Europa league in 2011. Falcao was the tournament's top scorer. But Mario Jardel scored 130 goals in 125 matches for Porto. It was hard to ignore that stats. The younger fans put him among the greatest ever Porto players. He also won three Primeira Liga titles during Porto's 5 straight title winning years. Hernani was the second leading scorer for Porto. It would be hard to select Hulk or Falcao over Jardel or Hernani.
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| Mario Jardel |
-- Domingos Paciência and Derlei also did not make this team because of the players ahead of them. Derlei was the hero of the 2003 Champions League victory.
-- Jackson Martínez was the league's top scorer in all three of seasons with Porto.
Formation
Vitor baia,joao pinto,aloisio,Ricardo carvalho,inacio,pedroto,maniche,deco,madjer,futre,gomes.
ReplyDeleteBaia,joao pinto,couto,carvalho,virgilio,pedroto,deco,kostadinov,madjer,futre,gomes.
ReplyDeleteAntonio araujo?!?
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