Portugal squad
Goalkeepers
QUIM
13.11.75
Benfica
25 caps (0 goals)
Quim is the long-time second-choice keeper, first behind Vitor Baia and now behind Ricardo. An impressive shot stopper but his relative lack of height means he is vulnerable in the air.
RICARDO
11.02.76
Real Betis (Spa)
74 caps (0 goals)
Has always been Scolari’s first-choice keeper but is often criticised by Portuguese pundits for poor positioning on crosses and lapses of concentration. A specialist penalty saver – as England know.
RUI PATRICIO
15.02.88
Sporting Lisbon
0 caps
Emerged as Sporting’s No 1 keeper halfway through this season and has kept his place with a string of solid displays. Played as a striker when a youth player – some say it helps him read opponents’ shots.
Defenders
BRUNO ALVES
27.11.81
Porto
10 caps (1 goal)
Strong, tough central defender, never shy in the tackle. Likened to ex-Porto great Jorge Costa and a contender for a starting place. Made his debut in June 2007. One of Scolari’s favourite players.
Jose BOSINGWA
24.08.82
Porto
7 caps (0 goals)
Fast, skilful right-back who earned a starting spot during the qualifiers but has been hampered by injuries in recent months.
FERNANDO MEIRA
05.06.78
Stuttgart (Ger)
48 caps (2 goals)
Tall, elegant central defender who has shone in the Bundesliga for six years. Composed in possession and strong in the air but criticised for his positioning. Can also play as a defensive midfielder.
JORGE RIBEIRO
09.11.81
Boavista
8 caps (0 goals)
Versatile left-footer – he can play as a wing-back or an attacking midfielder. First capped in 2002 but then form dipped and he returned to the team only last year. Maniche’s younger brother.
MIGUEL
04.01.80
Valencia (Spa)
46 caps (1 goal)
Speedy, technically gifted right-back. Started out as a winger and is still a better attacker than defender. Can get caught out of position. From one of Lisbon’s roughest neighbourhoods.
PAULO FERREIRA
18.01.79
Chelsea (Eng)
46 caps (0 goals)
Solid right-back who gives unspectacular but consistent displays. Better at defending than attacking. Has been second choice to Miguel at the last two major finals. Can also fill in at left-back.
PEPE
26.02.83
Real Madrid (Spa)
2 caps (0 goals)
The Brazil-born central defender gained Portuguese citizenship in August 2007 and won his first cap three months later. Erratic early in career but progress underlined by last year’s £24m move to Madrid.
RICARDO CARVALHO
18.05.78
Chelsea (Eng)
42 caps (4 goals)
Not particularly fast but always in the right place at the right time and tackles cleanly. Established himself during Euro 2004 and has been Portugal’s most reliable defender ever since.
Midfielders
DECO
27.08.77
Barcelona (Spa)
52 caps (3 goals)
Form has dropped since the run to the 2006 World Cup semi-finals and injuries have affected his confidence, but Scolari is still counting on the Brazil-born maestro to pull the strings.
JOAO MOUTINHO
08.09.86
Sporting Lisbon
12 caps (0 goals)
The midfield dynamo has a small frame but tackles wholeheartedly. Also has a great first touch and provides many assists. Sporting’s youngest captain. Narrowly missed out on the last World Cup.
MIGUEL VELOSO
11.05.86
Sporting Lisbon
5 caps (0 goals)
Defensive midfielder with impressive tactical discipline and passing ability. Lacks pace but normally in the thick of the action. A model in his spare time. Son of ex-international Antonio Veloso.
PETIT
25.09.76
Benfica
51 caps (4 goals)
Nicknamed The Pitbull because of his ferocious appetite for the ball. Has lost some pace but still a loyal servant and will never stop running. Born in Strasbourg.
RAUL MEIRELES
17.03.83
Porto
8 caps (0 goals)
Tough-tackling, dedicated midfielder with good workrate and a strong right-foot shot. A stalwart for Porto but has struggled to keep a starting place with Portugal.
Forwards
CRISTIANO RONALDO
05.02.85
Manchester United (Eng)
54 caps (20 goals)
Considered the world’s best player by many and has enjoyed his best season, including scoring over 30 goals for United. Dazzling skills have earned him the nickname Twinkle Toes. Also a free-kick specialist.
HUGO ALMEIDA
23.05.84
Werder Bremen (Ger)
8 caps (2 goals)
Touted for years as the natural replacement for former stalwart centre-forward Pauleta but has yet to fill the bill. Strong, powerful and good in the air but needs to improve his finishing skills.
NANI
17.11.86
Manchester United (Eng)
12 caps (2 goals)
Can operate on either wing and is increasingly adept at dribbling past defenders. Known for his somersault goal celebrations. Forced his way into the United first team with a string of fine displays.
NUNO GOMES
02.08.82
Panathinaikos
31 caps (10 goals)
Has an impressive goals record with Portugal but his poor club form could cost him a starting place. Good finisher but tends to dally in possession. Played second fiddle to Pauleta for many years.
Roland LINZ
09.08.81
Sporting Braga (Por)
30 caps (5 goals)
Scored the late equaliser against England in the Euro 2004 quarter-final before seeing his side win on a penalty shootout. Currently on loan in Greece.
RICARDO QUARESMA
26.09.83
Porto
20 caps (2 goals)
Creative, skilful winger who has inspired Porto to three straight league titles. Controversially omitted from the 2006 World Cup squad, allegedly for a lack of discipline. Has gypsy roots.
SIMAO Sabrosa
31.10.79
Atletico Madrid (Spa)
60 caps (14 goals)
In-form winger and dead-ball expert. Has great acceleration and his low centre of gravity allows him to keep possession in tight spaces. Yet to consistently show his best for Portugal.
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