EURO 2024 kicks off on Friday 14 June 2024 as the tournament hosts Germany take on Scotland. It’ll be four days from then before we see the Seleção play their first game in a potentially tricky encounter against Czechia. 

The majority of independent betting sites have us as the fifth favourites for the title, but we think that’s a tad harsh. If all the best players are fit and ready to go, we have as good a chance as any to take home the trophy. It all depends on Roberto Martínez’s selection choices, but will he choose the players who deserve to go? 

You can define “deserves” however you want, though many will agree that the best Portuguese players over this season should be on the plane to Germany. How can you determine this? By looking at the stats! 

We poured through data from multiple sources to find the 10 best-rated players representing Portugal this season so far; here’s what the stats say: 

• Bruno Fernandes
• Bruma
• Rafael Leão
• Goncalo Ramos
• Matheus Nunes

Portugal beat Sweden 5-2 in an international friendly at Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimarães.

The Seleção opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Bernardo Silva hit the post, the ball falling perfectly for Rafael Leão who found the top corner.

Roberto Martínez’s side doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Matheus Nunes went past some feeble defence and found the bottom corner. Portugal made it 3-0 before the break, Palhinha releasing Nélson Semedo who put the ball on a plate for Bruno Fernandes.

There was no let-up in the second half, Fernandes stealing the ball off Isak Hien and giving it to Bruma who had a simple task in front of an empty net.

Viktor Gyökeres converted Emil Holm’s cross but there was no comeback as Portugal made it 5-1 in the 61st minute. António Silva sent Nélson Semedo clear, Gonçalo Ramos getting into prime position to convert his pinpoint cross.

Jota Silva came off the bench to make his international debut, the forward unable to convert a glorious chance in front of his home crowd as Robin Olsen saved from close range.

Gustaf Nilsson headed home a consolation goal in the final minute, the Seleção immediately turning their attention to another friendly in Slovenia on Tuesday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neill has confirmed Portuguese winger Pedro Neto will not be available until May, following another hamstring problem.

The Seleção man was forced off shortly before half time of Wolves’ victory over Fulham last weekend, and O’Neill told reporters today that the injury will sideline Neto for another two-month spell.

Roberto Martínez has announced a one-off 32-man squad for next week’s friendlies against Sweden and Slovenia as he intends to look at all his options ahead of Euro 2024.

He explained that he also made the decision to select an expanded squad because he does not want to overload players with excess minutes at a hectic time of the season.

Francisco Conceição and Jota Silva have been rewarded for their excellent form in recent months with their maiden call-ups to the senior Portugal team.