Portugal’s Squad for Euro 2024: Fixtures, Predictions and Best Players

There is a new sheriff at the helm of the prestigious Portuguese national team: Roberto Martinez is now tasked with getting the 2016 European champions back on their feet after failing to lead a highly talented Belgian generation to triumph.

Martinez’s reign has started well enough, with Portugal comfortably navigating a tame qualifying group. Their good run into this summer’s tournament makes Martinez’s side difficult to assess, but there is no doubt that the Iberians have a great chance of going far in Germany.

Jose Mourinho is very optimistic and describes the Portuguese team as the best in the country’s history, so the pressure is on Martinez and his players to perform. The former Premier League coach has the means to do so.

Here is 90 minutes Guide to Portugal at Euro 2024.

When looking at Portugal’s squad, there are hardly any weaknesses to be seen.

Roberto Martinez’s squad is extremely well-balanced. The only question for the coach is how to fit all of Portugal’s great attacking stars into the starting eleven. He cannot cram them all into the starting eleven.

The squad is characterised by youthful exuberance and experienced minds, but also by toughness and cunning. Martinez had to make one change to his original squad, however, as Al Nassr’s Octavio withdrawal due to injury. Matheus Nunes was chosen as his successor.

Portugal’s squad for the Euro 2024

Fernando Santos may have led Portugal to an unexpected triumph at the 2016 European Championships, but he was extremely unpopular towards the end of his tenure, with many feeling that the wily old-timer’s outdated ideals were hampering the talented squad at his disposal.

The Selecao were not the same underdogs at either the 2020 Euro or the 2022 World Cup as they were at the 2016 Euro, but Santos did not seem to realize that and therefore underperformed.

Martinez is still far from his tactical best, but Portugal will prevail in matches this summer and the coach will certainly appreciate his team’s superiority.

Martinez has moved away from a back five and now uses a 4-3-3 formation, while Portugal have a fairly fluid build-up with lots of rotation and substitutions. They have players who can operate all over the pitch, so these positional changes are seamless.

Portugal have playmakers who receive the ball between the lines, but direct balls into depth are also a feature of Martinez’s team – especially when Rafael Leao is involved. This variability makes them difficult to defend, and Portugal will be proactive without the ball to ensure they spend as much time in possession as possible.

Portugal is not exactly familiar with its opponents in Group F, as the Selecao have faced their group rivals a total of 15 times.

Portugal won 12 of these games, losing once to the Czech Republic and twice to Turkey. They only scored once against European Championship newcomers Georgia.

The Selecao recently battled Turkey for a place in the 2022 World Cup. Portugal defeated their Group F opponents 3-1 in the play-off semi-finals.

Portugal’s group match schedule for the 2024 European Championship

Portugal’s record against opponents in the group stage of the Euro 2024

Portugal’s possible opponents in the knockout round

Portugal is the strongest team in Group F and the clear favorite to win the group. If they advance easily as expected, Martinez’s team will face one of three possible third-placed teams in the round of 16.

Portugal will face the third-placed team in Groups A, B or C and would also be on the “right” side of the draw if France and England win their respective groups.

A second place must be avoided at all costs, as Portugal would likely face France in the round of 16. The Selecao will face the winner of Group D, while the Netherlands and underdogs Austria will battle it out with Les Bleus for top spot.

Third place would be a huge disappointment and Martinez’s side would face the winner of Group B or C – possibly Spain or England – in their first knockout game.

36 years old Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the 26-man squad despite Portugal faring better in Qatar 18 months ago when PSG striker Goncalo Ramos led the team. Many will be clamoring for Ronaldo this summer, even if the experienced superstar is not a major contributor to the collective.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo is Portugal’s most capped player and top scorer. He is a football king and will have a big say in the Euro 2024, there is no doubt about that.

If Ronaldo actually starts ahead of Ramos, Bruno Fernandes will be crucial to the 36-year-old’s success. The Man Utd star proved to be Portugal’s talisman in qualifying – he was involved in 13 goals in ten games. He can break down deep defences and set Portugal’s counterattacks ablaze with his passing range.

Rafael Leao should also benefit from Fernandes’ vision and implementation, the Milan star successfully completed the 2023/24 season. However, he has not yet convinced for the national team and has only scored four goals in 26 appearances.

“To judge a player, you have to look at the reactions in the dressing room. Joao, at 19, earned the respect of the dressing room in two days. I have never experienced anything like that in my career. It was impressive.”

That was Martinez, who spoke about the precocious Joao Neveswho could play an important role for Portugal this summer after impressing in the pre-tournament warm-ups. The 19-year-old’s senior career has had a slow start, but his subtle brilliance was on full display in a recent friendly against Finland.

Purists will also appreciate the aesthetic of his tucked-in shirt.

However, Neves will do well to penetrate a midfield where Joao Palhinha is the blocker, Bruno Fernandes the main creator and Vitinha He works as a box-to-box technician. The PSG midfielder was a star in Paris last season and is now aiming for his breakthrough on the international stage.

This summer there may only be room for Neves or Vitinha in the starting eleven.

The depth and quality of the Portuguese squad is well known, yet not much is said about the team as winners of the 2024 European Championship. Why?

Their path to the semi-finals also seems pretty straightforward. If Martinez doesn’t make things too complicated and ensures that his starting eleven is balanced, Portugal could easily make it to the semi-finals.

Perhaps some people don’t trust Martinez, who hasn’t quite made it big with Belgium, but if Portugal reach the semi-finals, they have as much chance as anyone else to win the whole thing.

Joao Neves has the potential to be the best young player of the tournament and Ronaldo will surely add a few more goals to his record tally.