Portugal have had one of the greatest players of all time representing their nation in recent memory in Cristiano Ronaldo, with the forward breaking a number of records.
He is Portugal’s top goalscorer of all time, and it’s no surprise that CR7 also tops the charts for appearances. But who is behind Ronaldo when it comes to caps? Football FanCast has taken a look at the top 20 Portuguese appearance-makers, with a detailed view of the top 10.
All information correct as of 16th May 2025.
Rank
Player
Caps
1
Cristiano Ronaldo
219
2
Joao Moutinho
146
3
Pepe
141
4
Luis Figo
127
5
Nani
112
6
Fernando Couto
110
7
Rui Patricio
108
8
Bernardo Silva
100
9
Bruno Alves
96
10
Rui Costa
94
11
Ricardo Carvalho
89
12
Pauleta
88
13
Simao
85
14
Joao Pinto
81
=15
Ricardo Quaresma
80
=15
William Carvalho
80
=15
Vitor Baia
80
=18
Nuno Gomes
79
=18
Ricardo
79
20
Bruno Fernandes
78
Here is a detailed look at Portugal’s 10 most-capped players:
10 Rui Costa 94 caps
Also one of Portugal’s top 10 goalscorers of all time, attacking midfielder Rui Costa ended his international career with 94 caps.
He made his senior debut for Portugal in 1993 a few days after his 21st birthday and would go on to play until 2004. Unfortunately for Rui Costa, his last appearance for Portugal would come in the final of Euro 2004, suffering heartbreak against Greece.
9 Bruno Alves 96 caps
Centre-back Bruno Alves represented Portugal at the 2004 Olympic Games, but didn’t make his full international debut until 2007 at the age of 25.
Alves quickly made up for lost time, though, becoming a key member of Portugal’s defensive setup for the next decade. A European Championship winner, Alves called it quits in 2018, four appearances shy of triple figures.
8 Bernardo Silva 100 caps
Bernardo Silva has had a glittering international career for Portugal despite missing out on being a part of their triumphant Euro 2016 squad.
Entering triple figures for caps in March 2025, Silva won the inaugural Nations League in 2019, setting up the winning goal in the final.
A regular at tournaments since the 2018 World Cup, he is now one of eight Portugal players to reach 100 appearances.
7 Rui Patricio 108 caps
The highest-capped goalkeeper for Portugal, Rui Patricio made his debut for his country at the age of 22 in 2010 and was an ever-present figure over the next decade.
The former Wolves shot-stopper, who is still available for selection now, won 10 or more caps for Portugal in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. He is no longer first-choice, but will go down as a Portugal legend after helping them win Euro 2016.
6 Fernando Couto 110 caps
Regarded by many as one of Portugal’s greatest defenders, Fernando Couto’s international career lasted 15 years.
It began back in 1990 at the age of 21 after he helped Portugal win the FIFA World Youth Championship a year prior. He was part of the “Golden Generation” and became the first-ever Portugal player to win 100 caps.
5 Nani 112 caps
Former Manchester United winger Nani scored 24 goals and provided 24 assists in his 112 appearances for Portugal.
The first of his caps came in 2006, with his last in 2017, as Nani played in five major tournaments for his country. The last of those, Euro 2016, was certainly the most memorable for the winger, with Nani taking over the captaincy following an injury to Cristiano Ronaldo in the final.
4 Luis Figo 127 caps
Unfortunately, despite winning so much at club level, legendary winger Luis Figo never won a major tournament with Portugal.
The former captain of the “Golden Generation” made his debut for the national side in 1991 and announced his initial retirement in 2004. However, Figo reversed that call a year later, turning out in the 2006 World Cup before once again hanging up his boots.
3 Pepe 141 caps
Centre-back Pepe finally called time on his international career after Euro 2024 at the grand old age of 41.
On the international stage, Pepe, who could have represented Brazil, made his Portugal debut in 2007 at 24 and went on to become an important part of the national side.
He has turned out in nine major tournaments, becoming the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout game back in 2022.
2 Joao Moutinho 146 caps
A name which may come as a surprise to some, Joao Moutinho sits second in the all-time appearance chart for Portugal, ending his career with 146 caps.
The former Wolves midfielder made his senior debut for Portugal at 18 and would go on to be a regular until 2022, turning out on 10 or more occasions in eight separate calendar years.
1 Cristiano Ronaldo 219 caps
A record that will arguably never be beaten, Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have made more than 200 appearances for a senior international side.
Ronaldo’s career for Portugal began in 2003 at the age of 18, and 21 years later, the iconic striker is still going strong. He’s scored a whopping 136 goals during that time, winning Euro 2016 and captaining his country for large parts of his international career.