Portugal is known as one of the European countries that have great talents in football. Starting from the era of Eusebio, Rui Costa, Cristiano Ronaldo, to Diogo Jota. No wonder there are many Portuguese players who defend top clubs, including Barcelona.
The Catalan club itself is quite friendly with the Portuguese players. Many Portuguese talents achieved success together El Barca. However, there is also a ride through and eventually leave.
1. Luis Figo
Luis Figo (twitter.com/thesefootytimes) He was the owner of the Portugal number 7 jersey before Cristiano Ronaldo. Luis Figo came to Barcelona in 1995 and immediately became a key player for the club. He brought Barca 2 times LaLiga champion, 2 times Copa del Rey, 1 time UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and 1 time UEFA Super Cup.
In July 2000, Figo caused an uproar in the football world. He decided to move to Barcelona’s eternal rival, Real Madrid. Even though he was labeled a traitor, he didn’t care. Together Los BlancosFigo finally tasted the sweetness of the UEFA Champions League trophy and the Ballon d’Or.
2. Vitor Baia
Vitor Baia (twitter.com/championsleague) Vitor Baia started his professional career with FC Porto in 1988. A year later, the goalkeeper accepted Barcelona’s proposal. Although only 2 seasons in Spain, he had tasted LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup titles.
After playing at Camp Nou, Baia returned to the arms of FC Porto. In this second spell, he won more trophies, including prestigious titles such as the 2002/2003 UEFA Cup, 2003/2004 UEFA Champions League and 2004 Intercontinental Cup.
3. Fernando Couto
Fernando Couto (players.fcbarcelona.com)Fernando Couto joined Barcelona from Parma in the summer of 1996 along with his compatriot, Vitor Baia. The Portuguese centre-back’s career with Barca was quite successful, as he was able to win LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana titles.
After 2 seasons at Camp Nou, Couto decided to move to Lazio. In the first season, he immediately brought the club nicknamed I Biancocelesti won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. The trophy was followed by other titles, such as the 1999 UEFA Super Cup and 1999/2000 Serie A.
4. Simao Sabrosa
Simao Sabrosa (twitter.com/BTLvid) Performing brilliantly with Sporting CP, Simao Sabrosa was finally signed by Barcelona in 1999. Unfortunately, despite being able to appear regularly, this Portuguese winger failed to provide a trophy for La Blaugrana. Only lasted 2 years, he decided to move to Benfica.
Simao defended Benfica for a long time before finally returning to Spain. This time in the Atlético Madrid uniform. Different when defending Barcelona, together Los Colchoneroshe was able to win the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup trophies.
5. Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma (twitter.com/championsleague) Another of the best wingers Portugal has ever had. Ricardo Quaresma started his career at Sporting CP and successfully led the club to win the Primeria Liga (Portugal League) and Taca de Portugal. Finally, he was brought to Barcelona in 2003.
Unfortunately, Quaresma’s career at the Catalan club fell apart. He was involved in a conflict with the Barcelona coach at the time, Frank Rijkaard. Finally, Quaresma only lasted one season in Spain and decided to return home to accept FC Porto’s proposal.
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6. Deco
Deco (fcbarcelonaoticias.com)When FC Porto won the 2003/2004 UEFA Champions League trophy, many of their players were immediately wanted, and Deco was no exception. This Portuguese footballer who was actually born in Brazil was then bought by Barcelona after the Euro 2004 title.
Four years in uniform La Blaugrana, Anderson Luis de Souza, his real name, tasted 2 LaLiga trophies, 2 Supercoppa de Espana, and 1 UEFA Champions League. He then left for Chelsea and won the 2009/2010 Premier League.
7. Edgar Ie
Edgar Ie (twitter.com/fcbarcelona) Maybe many are not familiar with this player. Edgar Miguel Ie is a defender born in Guinea-Bissau, but already has Portuguese citizenship. He himself was educated at the Barcelona academy and was promoted to the senior team in 2014.
Unfortunately, Ie failed to develop at Barca and was more often dropped in second tier competitions, such as the Copa del Rey. Although he had won the 2014/2015 Copa del Rey trophy, he did not last long and eventually moved to Portuguese club Belenenses.
8. Andre Gomes
Andre Gomes (instagram.com/aftgomes21) Andre Gomes joined Barcelona in July 2016 after performing brilliantly with Valencia. Gomes’ decision to move to the Catalan club was right because he finally tasted the sweetness of the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana trophies.
Unfortunately, this Portugal-born midfielder is not the main choice in Barcelona’s midfield. In August 2018, the Spanish club decided to loan him to Everton. The following season, he is permanent The Toffees and still plays in England today.
9. Nelson Semedo
Nelson Semedo (instagram.com/nelsonsemedo50) Nelson Semedo came to Barcelona in 2017 after a successful spell at Benfica. Plotted to fill the right-back position, this Lisbon-born player had led Barca to 2 LaLiga champions, 1 Copa del Rey, and 1 Supercopa de Espana.
Unfortunately, Semedo only lasted 3 seasons at Camp Nou. In September 2020, he decided to continue his career in the Premier League and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. Semedo’s debut in the Premier League occurred in the match against West Ham United.
10. Francisco Trincao
Francisco Trincao (twitter.com/fcbarcelona) Francisco Trincao officially signed for Barcelona in January 2020 with frills wonderkid. Although the Catalan club only finished third, the player born in Viana do Castelo was able to present the 2020/2021 Copa del Rey trophy for Barca fans.
In the 2021 summer transfer window, management La Blaugrana decided to loan Trincao to English club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. So far, he has appeared quite impressive and led Wolves to compete in the middle of the Premier League standings.
The Portuguese player proved to be able to have a positive effect on Barcelona and successfully gave prestigious trophies. Unfortunately, their careers at Camp Nou on average did not last long.
Also read: 5 players who have played for Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund
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