How Portugal will line up at Euro 2024

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 14 Jun 2024 13:44 CDT
• 4 min read

Portugal will begin the 2024 European Championship as one of the favourites for glory.

Roberto Martinez’s side were the only nation to win every single game during qualifying as they blitzed through Group J with a maximum tally of 30 points from 10 games.

Portugal exited the 2022 World Cup after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Morocco and will be looking to progress further at this summer’s Euros.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 Draw - Groups, fixtures, knockouts, favourites

Their squad is stacked with bundles of quality and their strength in depth is up there with the very best in world football.

Below, FootballTransfers predicts Portugal’s first-choice starting XI at Euro 2024.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

How Portugal will line up at Euro 2024

Porto shot-stopper Diogo Costa is now firmly Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper and he will be deployed in between the sticks at Euro 2024. Jose Sa and Rui Patricio will act as back-ups to the 24-year-old.

Portugal’s depth across the entire pitch is remarkable and their options in defence are plentiful. Joao Cancelo will play as one of the full-backs, but the other slot is up for grabs.

Diogo Dalot, Nelson Semedo and Nuno Mendes could all start, although the latter is probably the most likely, meaning Cancelo will play on the right.

Martinez has arguably his biggest selection headache at centre-back. Manchester City’s Ruben Dias is a nailed-on starter, but there are question marks as to who will begin the tournament as his partner.

Pepe and Antonio Silva are both legitimate candidates and could well start, although Goncalo Inacio is the most likely contender following his prevalent role in qualifying.

In midfield, Martinez will likely opt for the assured defensive presence of Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, with the ex-Sporting CP star tasked with protecting the backline. He will be accompanied by Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park.

Bernardo Silva will start as Portugal’s preferred right winger, while AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao will play on the left flank.

Goncalo Ramos displaced Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2022 World Cup, but the Al-Nassr forward is first-choice once again and is almost guaranteed to start amid Ramos’ struggles at club level.

Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) and Diogo Jota (Liverpool) could also come into the starting XI during the tournament.

Portugal’s starting XI at Euro 2024

GK: Diogo Costa

RB: Joao Cancelo

CB: Goncalo Inacio

CB: Ruben Dias

LB: Nuno Mendes

CDM: Joao Palhinha

CM: Vitinha

CM: Bruno Fernandes

RW: Bernardo Silva

LW: Rafael Leao

ST: Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Patricio (AS Roma).

Defenders: Antonio Silva (Benfica), Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Diogo Dalot (Man Utd), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Man City).

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Neves (Benfica), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Mathues Nunes (Man City), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Vitinha (PSG).

Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Pedro Neto (Wolves), Rafael Leao (AC Milan).