Portugal

Coach:

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Born: 09/11/48

Goalkeepers

Ricardo (Sevilla)

Born: 11/02/76 Caps: 75 Goals: 0

Despite being relegated to the bench in the Primera Liga, he remains Scolari’s favourite. He’s an excellent shot-stopper but is sometimes unreliable when dealing with crosses. Ricardo was made a hero in the last European Championship quarter-final penalties shootout win over England for saving a kick and scoring the decisive goal himself.

Quim Silva (Benfica)

Born: 13/11/75 Caps: 26 Goals: 0

A quick and agile keeper and excels in one-on-one situations. Silva has never featured outside Portugal.

Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Born: 15/02/88 Caps: 0 Goals: 0

Patricio became a regular in the Sporting Lisbon team this season. And Scolari sees him as the long-term replacement for Ricardo.

Defenders

Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea)

Born: 24/08/82 Caps: 8 Goals: 0

Regarded as one of the best right-backs in Europe and confirmed with his expensive switch from Porto to Chelsea at the end of the season. Confident with the ball and good going forward, he is able to whip in telling crosses from the wings.

Pepe (Real Madrid)

Born: 26/02/83 Caps: 3 Goals: 0

Pepe is a tall and fast defender and dominant in the air. He returned to action a couple of months ago after a spell on the sidelines and will replace the injured Jorge Andrade. Pepe made his debut in the goalless qualifier against Finland.

Miguel (Valencia)

Born: 04/01/80 Caps: 47 Goals: 1

Miguel likes to attack down the right flank from where he can fire in raking crosses, he is an experienced viable alternative to Bosingwa at right-back.

Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

Born: 18/05/78 Caps: 43 Goals: 4

An uncompromising tackler with great timing and anticipation, he has been a critical part of Chelsea’s Premier League and Champions League challenges. Carvalho moved to Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho following the last European Championship.

Fernando Meira (VFB Stuttgart)

Born: 05/06/78 Caps: 49 Goals: 2

Meira is a useful team member and able to move with ease between defence and midfield. He has a fine header of the ball and poses a danger at corners.

Bruno Alves (Porto)

Born: 27/11/81 Caps: 11 Goals: 1

Alves made his international debut against Kuwait and has proved a bedrock of Porto’s championship campaign.

Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea)

Born: 18/01/79 Caps: 47: Goals 0

Slight, unassuming but an effective right-back, Ferreira followed Mourinho to Chelsea from Porto. He combines solid defensive abilities with strong attacking skills.

Midfielders

Deco (Barcelona)

Born: 27/8/77 Caps: 53 Goals: 3

Deco is graceful with wonderful technique. He’s authoritive and creative, capable of dictating the pace of a match. Loves scoring from long distance free kicks but his career at Barcelona has been blighted as the result of niggling injuries. Born in Brazil, Deco won two league championships with the Catalans and was part of the team that beat Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris.

Armando Petit (Benfica)

Born: 25/9/76 Caps: 54 Goals: 4

When in form, Petit is powerful and has great anticipation.

Joao Moutinho (Sporting)

Born: 08/09/86 Caps: 13 Goals: 0

With a sweet left foot and great vision, Mr Moutinho is a natural replacement for Deco if he fails to be fit. He’s a tireless ball-winner who does a lot of the hard work for his attacking team mates.

Raul Meireles (Porto)

Born: 17/03/83 Caps: 9 Goals: 0

Meireles is indispensable in Porto’s midfield because of his passing and shooting abilities from long distances. He’s a stalwart of this season’s title-winning campaign.

Miguel Veloso (Sporting)

Born: 11/05/86 Caps: 6 Goals: 0

Veloso impressed for Portugal in the last under 21 European Championships and his father was a successful team member of Benfica. Veloso is a promising defensive midfielder, strong in the air and good at anticipating trouble.

Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Born: 09/11/81 Caps: 8 Goals: 0

Ribeiro is just eight caps after making his debut against the Scots. He’s also Maniche’s brother.

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Born: 05/02/85 Caps: 55 Goals: 20

Ronaldo scored a jaw-dropping 41 goals in all competitions with Manchester United. He was instrumental in the team’s title win and also their run to the Champions League final. Ronaldo is scintillating against static defences.

Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos)

Born: 02/08/82 Caps: 32 Goals: 10

Postiga is an accomplished striker. He returned to Porto following a miserable stint at Tottenham. Postiga can sometimes be temperamental. At the moment, he’s on loan in Greece.

Nuno Gomes (Benfica)

Born: 05/07/76 Caps: 69 Goals: 28

Gomes is often used as a quick substitute late in the game.

Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid)

Born: 31/10/79 Caps: 61 Goals: 15

Sabrosa’s fast skills often lure opponents into giving his team free kicks close to the box. He’s also a free kick specialist.

Ricardo Quaresma (Porto)

Born: 26/09/83 Caps: 21 Goals 2

Quaresma has been nicknamed the Mustang. In fact, the fast former Barcelona winger is capable of setting a game alight with his repertoire of step-overs. Quaresma moved from Barcelona back to Portugal as part of the deal that took Deco in the other direction.

Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)

Born: 23/05/84 Caps: 9 Goals: 2

Almeida is a striker who has done well when given a chance. At 1.9 metres, he’s strong in the air.

Nani (Manchester United)

Born: 17/11/86 Caps: 13 Goals: 2

Nani celebrates his goals with exuberant pomp together with an acrobatic somersault.