Portugal national under-21 football team

National association football team

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Portugal Under-21Nickname(s)| Esperanças (Hopes)

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Association| Federação Portuguesa
de Futebol
Head coach| Rui Jorge
Captain| Henrique Araújo
Most caps| Manuel Fernandes (30)
Top scorer| Hugo Almeida (16)

First colours

Second colours

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First international
Portugal 3–1 South Africa
(Lisbon, Portugal; 16 November 1958)
Biggest win
Portugal 11–0 Liechtenstein
(Vizela, Portugal; 7 October 2021)

Biggest defeat
Italy 6–0 Portugal
Piacenza, Italy; 2 December 1987

Records for competitive
matches only.

UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances| 10 (first in 1994)
Best result| Runners-up (1994, 2015, 2021)

The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future.

Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Portuguese under-21 team was formed. Until 1994, the team had a rather poor record, failing to qualify for each of the first eight UEFA under-21 Championships. Since 1994, the team has improved its record greatly, qualifying for five of the next seven tournaments, including the 2006 finals.

Having qualified for the 2006 tournament finals, UEFA announced that Portugal would host the finals in May and June. From 2007 onwards, host nations will be announced before the qualification stage and will not need to qualify.

## Competitive record

[edit]

### UEFA European Under-21 Championship

[edit]

Year  | Round  | Position  | Games  | Won  | Drawn  | Lost  | GF | GA

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|
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|
|
|
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1978 | did not qualify
1980
1982 | did not enter
1984 | did not qualify
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2
1996 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
1998 | did not qualify
2000
2002 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4
2004 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 11
2006 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3
2007 | Group stage | 6th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2
2009 | did not qualify
2011
2013
2015 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1
2017 | Group stage |  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5
2019 | did not qualify
2021 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4
2023 | Quarter-finals |  | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5
Total | Runners-up | 10/24 | 39 | 19 | 8 | 12 | 56 | 39

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

## Player records

[edit]

### Top appearances

[edit]

As of 18 November 2024[1]
Rank  | Player  | Club(s)  | Year(s)  | U-21 Caps

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|
|
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1 | Manuel Fernandes | Benfica, Portsmouth, Everton, Valencia | 2004–2008 | 30
2 | Silvestre Varela | Sporting CP, Casa Pia, Vitória Setúbal | 2004–2007 | 28
Paulo Bernardo | Benfica, Paços Ferreira, Celtic | 2021–
Ricardo Quaresma | Sporting CP, Barcelona, Porto | 2002–2006
João Pereira | Benfica, Gil Vicente, Braga | 2004–2008
6 | Fernando Brassard | Marítimo, Gil Vicente, Vitória Guimarães | 1991–1994 | 27
Henrique Araújo | Benfica, Watford, Famalicão, Arouca | 2021–
Hugo Almeida | Porto, União Leiria, Boavista, Werder Bremen | 2002–2007
9 | Ednilson | Roma, Benfica | 2000–2003 | 26
Raul Meireles | Aves, Boavista, Porto | 2003–2006
Fábio Silva | Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Las Palmas | 2021–

Note: Club(s) represents the clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

### Top goalscorers

[edit]

As of 18 November 2024[2]
Rank  | Player  | Club(s)  | Year(s)  | U-21 Goals

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|
|
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1 | Hugo Almeida | Porto, União Leiria, Boavista, Werder Bremen | 2002–2007 | 16
2 | Gonçalo Ramos | Benfica | 2020–2022 | 14
Fábio Silva | Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Las Palmas | 2021–
Fábio Vieira | Porto, Arsenal | 2019–2023
5 | Toni | Porto, Braga | 1992–1994 | 12
Hélder Postiga | Porto, Tottenham | 2001–2003
7 | Henrique Araújo | Benfica, Watford, Famalicão, Arouca | 2021– | 11
8 | Paulo Bernardo | Benfica, Paços Ferreira, Celtic | 2021– | 10
9 | Diogo Gonçalves | Benfica, Nottingham Forest | 2017–2018 | 8
Paulo Costa | Alverca, Inter Milan, Reggina, Porto | 2000–2002
Simão Sabrosa | Sporting CP, Barcelona | 1998–2001
Diogo Jota | Paços Ferreira, Atlético Madrid, Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2015–2018
Rui Fonte | Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Sporting CP, Vitória Setúbal, Espanyol | 2008–2012

Note: Club(s) represents the clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

Players born on or after 1 January 2002 are eligible for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

The following 23[note 1] players were called up for the preparation matches against Ukraine and Slovakia on 15 and 18 November 2024, respectively.[3][4]

Caps and goals correct as of: 18 November 2024, after the match against  Slovakia

No. | Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club

|
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1  | 1GK | João Carvalho |  (2004-04-09) 9 April 2004 (age 20) | 4  | 0  |  Braga
12  | 1GK | Diogo Pinto |  (2004-06-18) 18 June 2004 (age 20) | 0  | 0  |  Sporting CP

* * *

2  | 2DF | Danilo Veiga |  (2002-09-25) 25 September 2002 (age 22) | 2  | 0  |  Lecce
3  | 2DF | João Muniz |  (2005-06-26) 26 June 2005 (age 19) | 2  | 0  |  Rio Ave
4  | 2DF | Eduardo Quaresma |  (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 (age 22) | 11  | 0  |  Sporting CP
5  | 2DF | Rafael Rodrigues |  (2002-01-27) 27 January 2002 (age 23) | 12  | 1  |  AVS
13  | 2DF | Flávio Nazinho |  (2003-07-20) 20 July 2003 (age 21) | 2  | 0  |  Cercle Brugge
14  | 2DF | Chico Lamba |  (2003-03-10) 10 March 2003 (age 21) | 1  | 0  |  Arouca
15  | 2DF | Christian Marques |  (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 (age 22) | 3  | 0  |  Yverdon-Sport
23  | 2DF | Rodrigo Gomes |  (2003-07-07) 7 July 2003 (age 21) | 11  | 3  |  Wolverhampton

* * *

6  | 3MF | Dário Essugo |  (2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 (age 19) | 7  | 0  |  Las Palmas
7  | 3MF | Mateus Fernandes |  (2004-07-10) 10 July 2004 (age 20) | 11  | 3  |  Southampton
8  | 3MF | Paulo Bernardo (Vice-captain) |  (2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 23) | 28  | 10  |  Celtic
16  | 3MF | Martim Neto |  (2003-01-14) 14 January 2003 (age 22) | 5  | 0  |  Rio Ave
18  | 3MF | Gustavo Sá |  (2004-11-11) 11 November 2004 (age 20) | 4  | 0  |  Famalicão
19  | 3MF | João Marques |  (2002-02-13) 13 February 2002 (age 23) | 8  | 1  |  Braga

* * *

9  | 4FW | Henrique Araújo (Captain) |  (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 23) | 27  | 11  |  Arouca
10  | 4FW | Pedro Santos |  (2003-02-10) 10 February 2003 (age 22) | 9  | 3  |  Moreirense
11  | 4FW | Tiago Tomás |  (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 (age 22) | 19  | 2  |  VfL Wolfsburg
21  | 4FW | Carlos Forbs |  (2004-03-19) 19 March 2004 (age 20) | 9  | 3  |  Wolverhampton
24  | 4FW | Diego Moreira |  (2004-08-06) 6 August 2004 (age 20) | 5  | 0  |  Strasbourg

### Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have previously been called up to the under-21 squad and remain eligible for selection.

Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club  | Latest call-up

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GK | Samuel Soares |  (2002-06-15) 15 June 2002 (age 22) | 13  | 0  |  Benfica | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
GK | André Gomes |  (2004-10-20) 20 October 2004 (age 20) | 0  | 0  |  Benfica | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
GK | Francisco Silva |  (2005-11-20) 20 November 2005 (age 19) | 0  | 0  |  Sporting CP | v.  Croatia, 10 September 2024
GK | Francisco Lemos |  (2002-09-13) 13 September 2002 (age 22) | 0  | 0  |  Atlético CP | v.  Greece, 20 November 2023
GK | Gonçalo Ribeiro |  (2006-01-15) 15 January 2006 (age 19) | 0  | 0  |  Porto | v.  Belarus, 12 September 2023

* * *

DF | Tiago Santos |  (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 22) | 5  | 0  |  Lille | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
DF | Gabriel Brás |  (2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20) | 2  | 1  |  Porto | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
DF | Rodrigo Pinheiro |  (2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 (age 22) | 1  | 0  |  Famalicão | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
DF | Tomás Araújo AA |  (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 22) | 10  | 0  |  Benfica | v.  Faroe Islands, 11 October 2024
DF | Renato Veiga |  (2003-07-29) 29 July 2003 (age 21) | 7  | 1  |  Juventus | v.  Croatia, 26 March 2024
DF | Tomás Esteves |  (2002-04-03) 3 April 2002 (age 22) | 5  | 0  |  Pisa | v.  Croatia, 26 March 2024
DF | Leonardo Buta |  (2002-06-05) 5 June 2002 (age 22) | 3  | 0  |  Moreirense | v.  Croatia, 26 March 2024
DF | Rafael Fernandes INJ |  (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 (age 22) | 0  | 0  |  Lille | v.  Greece, 20 November 2023
DF | André Amaro INJ |  (2002-08-13) 13 August 2002 (age 22) | 4  | 0  |  Al-Rayyan | v.  Andorra, 8 September 2023

* * *

MF | Vasco Sousa |  (2003-04-03) 3 April 2003 (age 21) | 13  | 0  |  Porto | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
MF | Bernardo Folha INJ |  (2002-03-23) 23 March 2002 (age 22) | 3  | 0  |  Al Wahda | v.  Faroe Islands, 11 October 2024
MF | Hugo Félix |  (2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Benfica | v.  Greece, 17 October 2023
MF | João Neves |  (2004-09-27) 27 September 2004 (age 20) | 6  | 1  |  Paris Saint-Germain | v.  Belarus, 12 September 2023

* * *

FW | Fábio Silva AA |  (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 22) | 26  | 14  |  Las Palmas | v.  Slovakia, 18 November 2024
FW | Geovany Quenda AA |  (2007-04-30) 30 April 2007 (age 17) | 3  | 0  |  Sporting CP | v.  Slovakia, 18 November 2024
FW | Rodrigo Mora |  (2007-05-05) 5 May 2007 (age 17) | 2  | 0  |  Porto | v.  Andorra, 15 October 2024
FW | Youssef Chermiti |  (2004-05-24) 24 May 2004 (age 20) | 2  | 1  |  Everton | v.  Croatia, 26 March 2024
FW | Francisco Conceição |  (2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 (age 22) | 23  | 6  |  Juventus | v.  Greece, 20 November 2023
FW | Tiago Morais |  (2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21) | 3  | 0  |  Rio Ave | v.  Greece, 20 November 2023

* * *

AA Player withdrew from the squad due to a call-up to the senior squad.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
OTH Player withdrew from the squad due to other reasons.
PRE Preliminary squad.

## Head coaches

[edit]

As of 14 November 2017[5]
Manager  | Period  | Record

|
|

G |  W |  D |  L |  GF |  GA |  GD |  Win %
José Alberto Costa | –1993  | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 10 | +12  | 066.67
Nelo Vingada | 1994–1996  | 22 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 33 | 14 | +19  | 063.64
Jesualdo Ferreira | 1996–2000  | 33 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 64 | 36 | +28  | 057.58
Agostinho Oliveira | 2000–2002  | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 39 | 21 | +18  | 050.00
Rui Caçador | 2002  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1  | 066.67
José Romão | 2002–2004  | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 44 | 27 | +17  | 066.67
Rui Caçador | 2004  | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0  | 000.00
Agostinho Oliveira | 2004–2006  | 18 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 36 | 9 | +27  | 077.78
José Couceiro | 2006–2007  | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 9 | +13  | 053.85
Rui Caçador | 2007–2009  | 27 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 54 | 22 | +32  | 055.56
Oceano Cruz | 2009–2010  | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 12 | +5  | 050.00
Rui Jorge | 2010–present | 69 | 47 | 14 | 8 | 154 | 54 | +100  | 068.12

Source: [6]

## Honours

[edit]

* UEFA Under-21 European Championship runners-up: 1994, 2015, 2021

## See also

[edit]

* Golden generation

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Reduced to 21 after the match against Ukraine

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Jogadores" [Players]. FPF.pt. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
2. ^ "Jogadores" [Players]. FPF.pt. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
3. ^ "Convocados para encontros de preparação" (in Portuguese). Federação Portuguesa de Futebol. 8 November 2024.
4. ^ "Danilo Veiga: "não há partidas fáceis ao mais alto nível"" (in Portuguese). Federação Portuguesa de Futebol. 16 November 2024.
5. ^ "Portugal-Suíca" [Portugal - Switzerland]. FPF.pt. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
6. ^ "Portugal-Suíca" [Portugal - Switzerland]. FPF.pt. Retrieved 12 December 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Official site (in Portuguese)
* UEFA Under-21 website Contains full results archive
* The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation Contains full record of U-21/U-23 Championships.

* v
* t
* e

Football in Portugal

FPF • LPFP • League system

Men's|

| National teams|

* Portugal
* B
* U-23
* U-21
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|

League system|

* Primeira Liga
* Liga Portugal 2
* Liga 3
* Campeonato de Portugal

Domestic cups|

* Taça de Portugal
* Taça da Liga
* Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

Women's|

| National teams|

* Portugal
* U-19
* U-17
* Futsal

|

League system|

* Campeonato Nacional
* Campeonato Nacional II Divisão
* Campeonato Nacional III Divisão

Domestic cups|

* Taça de Portugal
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District Associations|

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Defunct competitions|

* Segunda Divisão
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Clubs • Club honours • Silver ball • Venues • Derbies • Ultras • Foreign players • Footballers • Managers

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National teams|

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Nationwide competitions|

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Regional competitions|

* Juniores
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* Benjamins
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* Petizes

Defunct competitions|

* Liga Intercalar

* v
* t
* e

National under-21 men's football teams of Europe (UEFA)

Active|

* Albania
* Andorra
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* Scotland
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* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* Wales

Defunct|

* Czechoslovakia
* East Germany
* Soviet Union
* Yugoslavia

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Portugal

* A1 GP
* Badminton
* Baseball
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* M
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* W
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* M
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* M
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* Football
* M
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* M U-19
* M U-18
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* W
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* M
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* W
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* Olympics
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