Portugal's Greatest XI: 2000-2020

Portugal have rarely been typically associated with winning the big one on the international stage, and that's not entirely without reason.

Despite big expectations on them every time a major tournament comes around, they have not made it beyond the round of 16 at a World Cup since 2006, and in the modern era, their successes have generally relied on one man.

When that one man just so happens to be perhaps the greatest to ever kick a football, however, you can forgive that.

With Euro 2020 becoming Euro 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal will hold onto their mantle as European champions for at least another year, and here we're going to take a look back at an XI of the players who got them there.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Rui Patricio (GK)

Patricio has been Portugal's first choice since catching the eye with his performances at the 2014 World Cup, and is showing no signs of giving up the gloves any time soon.

Paulo Ferreira (RB)

Portugal evidently reserved their greatness for other positions, but while Ferreira is far from the most technically gifted player in this side, there is a lot to be said for the work he put in during his eight years as a Portugal player.

An intelligent, diligent defender, he found himself deputising at left-back for the entirety of Euro 2008, but did an admirable job of filling in wherever he was asked and is fondly remembered in his country of birth.

Pepe (CB)

The epitome of a player any fan absolutely hates...unless he's playing for your team.

Pepe knows how to rile up an attacker, but he also knows how to succeed on the pitch. He's one of just six Portugal players to earn over 100 caps, and he's still going strong for club and country - he's only 37, after all.

Ricardo Carvalho (CB)

After his international breakthrough at Euro 2004, Carvalho established himself as one of Europe's leading central defenders. That tag stuck with him as he followed José Mourinho to Chelsea and then to Real Madrid, winning trophies left, right and centre wherever he went.

As a Portugal player, he bowed out on a high after helping Fernando Santos' side to glory in 2016.

Fabio Coentrão (LB)

For a stretch, Coentrao was one of the most exciting attacking full-backs in world football. And then he went to Real Madrid and spent half his time in the treatment room.

Still, he's been a terrific servant to his country over the years, and cruelly missed out on the squad in 2016 - again due to injury - after playing a central role in getting them to the tournament.

Midfielders

Deco (CM)

How unlucky was the immensely technical and talented Deco to be playing for a Barcelona team that featured Xavi and Andres Iniesta?

In another universe he might have played for Brazil, where he was born and raised, but he was overlooked for the 2002 World Cup (Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Juninho is hardly fair competition) and declared for Portugal in time for 2004. 75 caps later, his adopted country will be very pleased he did.

Rui Costa (CM)

Costa was a midfielder blessed with the positional intelligence and technical ability to play anywhere through the middle of the park, and was a decisive influence for Portugal throughout the 1990s and early 00s.

He was a prolific provider of creativity too - scoring 21 and assisting six in his 86 senior caps.

Bernardo Silva (CAM)

Bernardo has injected new life into the Portugal midfield ever since his 2015 emergence, and has taken on the role of his country's chief creator.

Whether he's featuring at the point of midfield, from the right flank or in a deeper role, he's a reliable source of inspiration and will be central to any hopes of success his country has going forward.

Forwards

Luis Figo (RW)

Not many players have the gall to directly cross the El Clasico divide and live to tell the tale. Figo is one such player.

His 127 caps (accompanied by a cool 32 goals) were a Portugal record until a certain someone came along and changed the game immeasurably.

Cristiano Ronaldo (CF)

Bit of an outside pick this one. Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga ran it close, but ultimately Ronaldo's soon-to-be 100 international goals were enough to edge him out in front.

Joking aside, he has carried Portugal's 92,000 square kilometres on his back since 2003, and has revelled in every minute of it. There isn't much to split him and his mortal enemy Lionel Messi, but if there is one deciding factor in Ronny's favour, it's his incredible leadership of his country.

If he decides to run for Portuguese Prime Minister after football, don't be surprised to see him win.

Nani (LW)

Nani will likely never live down the 'diet Ronaldo' tag that has hung around his neck ever since he was given the nod to succeed him at Manchester United. If you're going to be a B-tech version of any player, though, it might as well be the very best around.

In his own right, however, Nani has had a pretty solid career - the peak of which has come on the international stage. He's one of his country's most capped players on 112 appearances and he's still going strong, captaining Orlando City in MLS.

His last international appearance came in the 2017 Confederations Cup, but even if he never pulls on a dark red shirt again, he will have had a career to be proud of.