Who are the best FC Porto players of all time? One of the biggest clubs in Portugal and fierce rivals to Benfica, the club has had some of the most influential footballers in the country’s history.
Futebol Clube do Porto has had a rich history with the 2004 Champions League winners building a reputation as one of Europe’s footballing elites. Here are the ten best Porto players in history:
10. Vítor Baía
Vítor Baía is FC Porto’s greatest ever goalkeeper and showed remarkable reflexes, consistency, and an ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Baía spent 18 seasons at Porto between two stints, with a two-season spell at Barcelona breaking up his 525 games in total.
Baía’s commanding presence in goal and his skill in shot-stopping and distribution helped the club dominate domestically winning the Primeira Liga ten times. He also won the 2003 UEFA Cup, and the 2004 Champions League with his performances earning him the Best European Goalkeeper award.
9. Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma had a meteoric rise with the prodigal talent earning promotion from the Sporting CP youth academy, before a move to Barcelona and a subsequent return to Portugal, joining Porto in 2004.
The Portuguese winger was explosive and was known for his flair and insane repertoire of tricks. In six seasons across two spells, Quaresma won the Primeira Liga three times, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in 2004.
8. Pepe
Pepe is considered one of FC Porto’s greatest players due to his exceptional defensive ability, leadership, and consistency. Joining the club in 2004, the Brazilian-born Portuguese center-back quickly became a cornerstone of Porto’s defense for three seasons, and reuniting 11 years later.
Known for his physicality, tactical intelligence, and fierce determination, Pepe played a crucial role in securing four Primeira Liga titles, and won three Champions League titles while at Real Madrid .
7. Jorge Costa
Across 13 seasons at FC Porto, central defender Jorge Costa also captained the club at times. A no-nonsense defender, he earned a reputation for his fierce competitiveness, strength and leadership.
Costa anchored the defence through a golden period for FC Porto, winning eight Portuguese league titles, a UEFA Cup, Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup victories.
6. Artur Pinga
Joining the club in 1930, Artur Pinga played a significant role for FC Porto during the early 1930s and 1940s. Known for his lethal left foot, he was one of the best footballers of his generation.
Pinga played with an elegance and had a feint that fooled opponents effectively. He had an excellent work ethic and played his trade for FC Porto for 16 seasons before leaving an everlasting legacy.
5. Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas is considered one of the best FC Porto players ever and made an immediate impact after joining from FC Basel in 1974. Don’t be fooled by his trophy haul at Benfica, or lack thereof. In four seasons he only claimed the Taça de Portugal in 1977.
Considered the greatest ever Peruvian player in history, Cubillas helped put Porto on the map. He had immense creativity and technical skill playing as an attacking midfielder. On top of his playmaking ability he also had a knack for scoring goals, with 65 from 108 appearances.
4. Mario Jardel
Arriving from Brazil in 1996, Mário Jardel became one of the most prolific scorers in Primeira Liga history scoring 129 goals from 125 appearances and helping the club to three league titles.
Jardel’s remarkable goal-scoring ability and consistency was as a result of his clinical finishing, aerial prowess, and composure in front of goal. He earned two European Golden Shoe awards and top league goal scorer in five of six seasons including a two-season spell at Sporting CP.
3. Rabah Madjer
Rabah Madjer is one of the best FC Porto players ever due to his exceptional skill, vision, and influence on the field. Joining Porto from Racing Paris in 1985 he became a key figure up front scoring 138 goals in six seasons.
The Algerian helped FC Porto to European Cup glory in 1987 with an iconic back heel goal in the final against Bayern Munich. He also was crowned African Footballer of the Year in that same year cementing his legendary status.
2. Deco
One of the most gifted playmakers in Portuguese football history, Brazilian-born and raised Deco was the engine behind Porto’s most successful period under José Mourinho and was primarily used as a central midfielder.
His creative flair, vision, and technical ability to orchestrate the game from midfield was a key part of Porto’s success that saw them win the 2004 Champions League. He also won the UEFA Cup and three league titles in six seasons.
1. Fernando Gomes
Across 13 seasons and two spells, Fernando Gomes cemented himself as the greatest FC Porto player in history. On his resume is five league titles, a European Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a club record 355 games.
Gomes was a prolific scorer on the back of his excellent positional awareness and his ability to poach goals. One of the greatest strikers of the 1980’s, he was a six-time Portuguese league top scorer and won the European Golden Shoe twice.