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Portugal has produced some of the best forwards in the history of the beautiful game. Players like Eusebio, Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered all-time greats. They've all had extremely illustrious careers and have helped take Portuguese football to the next level.
The current Portuguese forward line is extremely talented
Even today, Portugal's biggest strength is their attack. They have some incredible attacking midfielders and forwards in their squad. These talented players were able to propel the Portuguese to a triumphant run at Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
Portuguese players are known for their exquisite technique and tenacious attitude. Plenty of Portuguese players are currently strutting their stuff for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best Portuguese forwards in the world right now.
#5 Goncalo Guedes (Valencia)
It was Goncalo Guedes who scored the winning goal for Portugal in the 2019 UEFA Nations League final against the Netherlands. However, the 25 year has not exactly been a regular in the national side lately, having made just eight appearances in total over the last two years.
After a very underwhelming 2020-21 campaign, Guedes seems to be getting back to his best this term. He scored just five goals and provided five assists in 31 La Liga appearances last season.
Gudes has already improved on that and is currently on eight goals and five assists after making 22 La Liga appearances for Valencia in La Liga.
He is a quick, agile and positive forward who loves taking defenders on and beating them. Guedes' link-up play is an underrated part of his game. He is still pretty young and could go onto have a great career if he can keep his current form going.
#4 Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Rafael Leao is one of the most exciting young forwards in Serie A right now. The 22 year old is a tricky winger who has an array of tricks up his sleeve. He is a tall and athletic attacker who uses his dribbling skills and long strides to slalom past opponents quite with ease.
Leao is a huge threat whenever AC Milan break on the counter. The Portuguese international joined the Rossoneri from Lille in 2019 for €23 million. He has established himself as a mainstay in the starting lineup over the past year.
Leao has been in pretty good form this season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for AC Milan.
#3 Andre Silva (RB Leipzig)
Andre Silva revived his career at Eintracht Frankfurt last season. The Portuguese international was loaned out to Sevilla and Eintracht Frankfurt from AC Milan in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons respectively. Silva impressed in his first Bundesliga season.
But it was in 2020-21 after making his move to Frankfurt permanent, that he truly came to his own. Silva scored 29 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for them outfit last term. He finished as the second highest goalscorer in the 2020-21 Bundesliga season with 28 goals in 32 appearances.
He immediately became one of the most sought-after centre-forwards in Europe. RB Leipzig swooped in for him and secured his services for €23 million. The 26 year old has scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 29 appearances across all competitions so far in the ongoing season.
#2 Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota had established himself as a young and exciting attacker during his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers. But under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage at Liverpool, Jota has blossomed into one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
With Roberto Firmino unable to replicate his form from a couple of seasons ago, Liverpool have had to look to Jota quite regularly. The 25-year-old has delivered time and again and is relishing the opportunity to play as the centre-forward in this Liverpool side.
He has scored 14 goals and provided two assists in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Merseysiders so far this season. Jota has also scored a wide variety of goals. Despite being just 178 cms tall, he is excellent at aerial duels and has a powerful header.
He is an excellent finisher who also does a very good job at linking up with his fellow attackers in the final third.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Portuguese international returned to his former club Manchester United last summer. It hasn't been a great season for the Red Devils but they'd have had it worse if not for Ronaldo's timely contributions.
He has produced multiple rescue acts already this season. Ronaldo is not as menacing as he used to be but he continues to be a very reliable centre-forward. The 36-year-old has scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils this term.
He won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020, scoring a goal and providing an assist in four appearances for Portugal. Ronaldo also won the Serie A Golden Boot in the 2020-21 season, scoring 29 goals from 33 appearances.
