Portugal has been one of the oldest countries in Europe. With a rich history and scenic landscapes, the country has been making a strong impression around the globe and so are its country men. While the younger generation would swear by Cristiano Ronaldo, the soccer sensation, to be the best gift that Portugal gave the world; there is more to Portuguese men than just soccer. Turn the pages of history and you would find a long list of Portuguese men who transformed the way the world worked. Remember Vasco de Gama, the first person to sail directly from Europe to India, thus opening maritime trade route between Europe and Asia – his successful travel was a momentous event in the history of navigation. Or even Francisco de Almeida who served as the first governor or Viceroy of the Portuguese State of India.
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Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Portuguese football player, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of the world's highest-paid athletes. He is a versatile attacker capable of playing on either wing as well as through the center of the pitch. He has the distinction of being the first European to score 100 international goals.
Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, is remembered for organizing the Spanish expedition to the East Indies from 1519 to 1522. A skilled sailor and naval officer, he was in service of the Portuguese crown in Asia. He was killed during the Battle of Mactan. The Pacific Ocean was often called the Sea of Magellan in his honor until the 18th century.
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was the first to link Europe and Asia through an ocean route, when he reached Calicut in 1498, thus enriching Portuguese trade with Asia. He made a second voyage later. He was made Count of Vidigueira in 1519 and the viceroy of India in 1524.
António Guterres is a Portuguese diplomat and politician who served as Portugal's prime minister from 1995 to 2002. A favorite among the masses, Guterres was ranked the best prime minister of Portugal over the last 30 years in polls conducted in 2012 and 2014. In 2009, he was named in Forbes magazine's list of world's most powerful people.
Considered one of the most successful African-origin footballers of all time, Eusébio, or the Black Panther, was born in the Portuguese Mozambique and grew up to represent the Portuguese national team as a striker. He also had a great stint with the club Benfica, having won the Primeira Liga with them 11 times.
When it comes to great football managers, Jose Mourinho’s name comes right at the top. He is regarded as one of the most tactfully brilliant managers ever, even though his defensive style has at times been criticised. He has had great stints with Premier League clubs like Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Pepe is a football player who plays for the Portugal national team and FC Porto. Counted among the leading defenders of his generation, Pepe played important roles in Portugal's championship-winning performances in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. He was named Süper Lig Defender of the Year in 2018.
Portuguese footballer Bernardo Silva, who began his career with Benfica and then moved on to AS Monaco, now represents Manchester City as an attacking midfielder, or winger. Best known for his dribbling skills, he has won 4 Premier League titles with Manchester City and a UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Portuguese footballer Renato Sanches had a difficult childhood, and though born in 1997, had his birth registered in 2002. Starting his career with Benfica, the talented midfielder moved on to Bayern Munich and now represents the French club Lille. He became the youngest Portuguese international player and the youngest to win UEFA Euro.
Ricardo Quaresma is a Portuguese football player best known for his tricks, such as the rabona and curl. He played for Portugal from 2003 to 2018, during which he represented his team at three European Championships, including UEFA Euro 2016, which Portugal won. Ricardo Quaresma was named Primeira Liga Player of the Year in 2006.
Thirteenth-century Portuguese Catholic priest Anthony of Padua was the friar of the Franciscan Order. He is remembered for his self-less devotion to the poor and the sick and is revered as the patron saint of lost items. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946.
Portuguese footballer Rafael Leao began his youth career with Amora and then moved on to teams such as Sporting CP in his senior career. He now represents AC Milan as a winger and is known for his versatility and technical knowledge. He is also known as the Portuguese Mbappe.
Bartolomeu Dias was a nobleman of the Portuguese royal household in the 15th century. Famous as an explorer, he sailed around the southernmost tip of Africa and set up a route from Europe to Asia. He became the first European to anchor in Cape Good Hope, South Africa, during the Age of Discovery. He perished in 1500.
Brazilian-born-Portuguese retired professional footballer Deco, who mainly played as an attacking or central midfielder, is counted among the best players of his time. During his illustrious playing career, he achieved several feats including winning UEFA Champions League with and receiving UEFA Best Midfielder Award from two clubs, Porto and Barcelona. Following his football career, Deco started the D20 Sports agency.
Nélson Semedo is a Portuguese football player who plays as a defender for the Portugal national team. He was part of the national team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Best known for his speed and dribbling skills, Nélson Semedo helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga in 2016 and 2017. He is currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Diogo Jota is a Portuguese football player who plays for the popular Premier League club, Liverpool. Before signing with Liverpool, Diogo Jota played for other popular teams like Atlético Madrid and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jota is also a prominent member of the Portugal national team.
Portuguese football central-midfielder João Moutinho, ComM, presently plays for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team. His illustrious career so far has seen him achieve several feats including winning Primeira Liga with FC Porto three times in a row; Ligue 1 with Monaco; and 2016 UEFA European Championship and 2019 UEFA Nations League with his national team
Retired Portuguese professional football player Ricardo Carvalho, who played as a centre back, is counted among the best defenders of his generation. Carvalho played with several professional football clubs besides the Portugal national team. His achievements include winning three Premier League titles with Chelsea; one La Liga with Real Madrid; and the 2016 UEFA European Championship with his national team.
Nani is a Portuguese football player who represented the national team from 2006 to 2017. He played an important role in Portugal's victory at the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. Nani was also an important player for Manchester United, winning the Premier League four times and the UEFA Champions League in 2008.
Rui Patricio is a Portuguese football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He was part of the national team that won the UEFA European Football Championship title in 2016. He also helped his team win the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Rui Patricio has also represented his country in two World Cups.
Cédric Soares is a Portuguese football player who plays as a defender for the Portugal national team. He was part of the team that won the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship and also represented Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Apart from his national team, Cédric Soares is also currently a part of the Arsenal Football Club.
Portuguese football manager André Villas-Boas, who has most recently managed Marseille, has previously also served teams such as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. He has also managed clubs in Russia and China. A motorsport lover, too, he has competed in the World Rally Championship. He hails from a Portuguese noble family.
Jorge Mendes is a Portuguese football agent who is currently registered with the Portuguese Football Federation. Widely regarded as one of the most influential football agents, Jorge Mendes was adjudged Best Agent of the Year on ten occasions between 2010 and 2020 at the Globe Soccer Awards. Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodríguez, and Diego Costa are some of his well-known clients.
Pedro I of Brazil was the founder of the Empire of Brazil and reigned as its emperor from 1822 to 1831. He also ruled over Portugal before abdicating the throne in favor of Dona Maria II. He is credited with spreading the liberal ideals that enabled Portugal and Brazil to move to representative forms of government from absolutist regimes.
William Carvalho is a Portuguese football player who plays for the Portugal national team. He has represented his country in two European Championships and two World Cups. In 2016, he helped Portugal win the UEFA European Football Championship title. William Carvalho was also part of the team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Portuguese footballer Nuno Tavares started his career with the youth teams of Sporting CP and Benfica, and moved on to teams such as Arsenal later. He has won the 2019 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira with Benfica and now plays as a left-back for Marseille on loan.
Portuguese footballer Otávio who is known as an attacking midfielder/winger for Porto, began his senior career with the Brazilian club Internacional. The Brazilian-born sports star joined the Portuguese club Porto B in 2014 and later became a Portuguese citizen and represented the Portuguese national team.
Raphaël Guerreiro is a Portuguese football player who plays for the Portugal national team. He was part of the team that won the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. Raphaël Guerreiro also represented his national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship.
Fernando Pessoa was a Portuguese poet, writer, translator, and publisher. A prolific writer, he is considered one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. While he mostly wrote in the Portuguese language, he also wrote in English and French occasionally. Besides writing under his own name, he also wrote under approximately 75 other names.
José Fonte is a Portuguese football player who plays as a defender for the Portugal national team. He was part of the national team that won the UEFA European Football Championship title in 2016 as well as the UEFA Nations League in 2019. José Fonte also represented his nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese nobleman, navigator, explorer, and military commander. Regarded as a prominent figure of the Age of Discovery, Cabral is often remembered as one of the earliest Europeans to set his foot on Brazil. Pedro Álvares Cabral is also remembered for his voyage to India in a failed attempt to return to Europe with valuable spices.
José Saramago was a Portuguese writer who was honored with the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature. Saramago's books have sold more than two million copies in Portugal alone and have been translated into 25 languages. Among other awards, Saramago has also been honored with the Camões Prize and America Award. He is also credited with establishing the José Saramago Foundation.
António Costa is a Portuguese politician and lawyer. He is the current Prime Minister of Portugal, serving his second consecutive term. An important and influential politician, Costa has also held various ministerial offices apart from serving as the Mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015. In 2017, the Government of India honored António Costa with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
Raul Meireles is a Portuguese retired football player who played as a midfielder for the national team in many European Championships and two World Cups between 2006 and 2014. Raul Meireles is best known for winning the 2012 UEFA Champions League while playing for Chelsea.
Afonso de Albuquerque was a Portuguese statesman, admiral, and general. A fierce military commander, Albuquerque expanded the influence of the Portuguese across the Indian Ocean while serving as the viceroy of the Portuguese State of India from 1509 to 1515. Afonso de Albuquerque's military brilliance in the initial Portuguese campaigns helped Portugal to become the first intercontinental empire in history.
Portuguese footballer Adrien Silva was 18 when he made his professional debut. Starting his youth career with Bordeaux, he later had successful stints with Sporting CP, Leicester City, and Maccabi Haifa. He also won the UEFA European Championship with the Portuguese national team. He is a Commander of the Order of Merit, too.
Hélder Postiga is a Portuguese former football player who played as a striker. He played for his national team from 2003 to 2014 and helped the team reach the finals of the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship. He also represented his nation in two World Cups. Hélder Postiga also played for Porto, winning the Primeira Liga in 2003 and 2007.
Born in Brazil, Matheus Nunes moved to Portugal at age 12. While he initially worked in his family’s bakery, he soon joined the team Ericeirense and later won a Primeira Liga with Sporting CP. He refused Brazil’s call to join their national team and joined the Portuguese national team instead.
Portuguese footballer Bruma had joined the youth team of Sporting CP before turning 13. He later had a successful senior career with teams such as Galatasaray, Olympiacos, and PSV, and now plays for the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. A talented winger, he is known for his speed.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is a Portuguese academic and politician. He is the current President of Portugal, serving his second consecutive term. An influential politician, Marcelo has served as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leader of the Opposition, and President of the Social Democratic Party. He has also worked as a legal scholar, political analyst, journalist, and law professor.
Eder is a Portuguese football player who plays as a forward. He represented the Portugal national team from 2012 to 2018 and helped the team win the UEFA European Championship in 2016. Eder has also played for clubs like Braga and Lokomotiv Moscow.
Retired Portuguese footballer Bruno Alves who played as a center-back for teams such as Porto and Zenit Saint Petersburg, now leads the Greek club AEK Athens as its sporting director. He has also won a UEFA European Championship with the Portuguese national team and is a Commander of the Order of Merit.
