When Diogo Dalot came on as a late substitute for Luke Shaw in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Southampton on Saturday, making his Premier League debut, it added another impressive achievement for a player that only played his first senior match a little over a year ago.

The young full-back has built an impressive reputation since he burst onto the scene two years ago with Portugal’s U17 squad at the European Championships, helping them win the title and being named in the team of the tournament.  Despite making only eight senior appearances in all competitions last season with FC Porto, his performances were enough to earned him a summer move to one of Europe’s top clubs.

PortuGoal takes a closer look at the player José Mourinho called “the best young full-back in Europe.” 

PortuGOAL turns the spotlight on Nottingham Forest’s Portuguese playmaker João Carvalho, who is showing plenty of quality at just 21 years of age in England’s second tier.

The Benfica graduate has been touted as a big talent ever since catching the eye in youth football. He made his debut in the Portuguese top flight on loan at Vitória Setúbal early in 2017, scoring against FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão a few weeks later in a 1-1 draw.

Back at his parent club, Carvalho broke into Benfica’s first team last season, but in the summer he switched to the UK in a transfer that took many onlookers by surprise. His showings so far for the famous English club suggest the midfielder has a very bright future.

Jovane Cabral making fans forget Gelson 

A dramatic last-gasp turnaround in Ukraine today saw Sporting turn a losing position in the 89th minute into a 2-1 victory against Vorskla Poltava to make it two Europa League wins out of two for the Lions. Late substitute Jovane Cabral scored the winner in stoppage time.

It is the latest feat in a string of key contributions made by the Cape Verde born winger, despite limited playing time. Just 20 years old, Jovane – as he is known in Portugal – has made a sensational start to his senior career and threatens to add to the Lisbon club’s rich tradition of producing top-class wingers.

While Portugal should go into this summer’s World Cup with one of the deepest squads it has ever had, the position of centre-back remains a glaring point of concern for Fernando Santos. Age, injuries and relative loss of form will surely force the Seleção manager to look to new options.

Benfica’s Rúben Dias has made a compelling case to be considered. The 20-year-old has been one of the revelations in the Portuguese league this season. In a matter of months, he has made his senior debut, scored his first professional goal and acquitted himself well against Manchester United in the Champions League.

PortuGOAL looks at the meteoric rise of Ruben Dias.