Known as “the place of the stars”, the midfield is usually the place that houses big names in soccer and it is no different in the Primeira Liga and with the best midfielders in Portugal.
When thinking about this sector, it is natural that the midfielders and the “Shirts 10” are the first to come to mind in a list of the best midfielders in Portugal, but with the dynamism of today’s soccer, it is normal to find some midfielders in this selection.
So let’s get straight to the point and meet the best midfielders currently playing for Portugal.
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Best midfielders in Portugal in this season: career, titles and records
Here is a list of the best midfielders in Portugal today:
- Morten Hjulmand (Sporting)
- Alan Varela (Porto)
- Orkun Kökçü (Benfica)
- Fábio Vieira (Porto)
- Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica)
- Florentino (Benfica)
- Leandro Barreiro (Benfica)
- Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
- Nico Gonzalez (Porto)
- Kanya Fujimoto (Gil Vicente)
Read on to discover the career and achievements of each of the best midfielders in Portugal.
Morten Hjulmand (Sporting)
Hjulmand began his career in Denmark, playing for Admira Wacker, and then moved to Italian soccer, playing in Serie A for Lecce, where he stood out as a promising midfielder and helped the team return to the top flight.
In 2023, the star was signed by Sporting, where he quickly became one of the team’s mainstays and one of Portugal’s best midfielders.
Hjulmand, known for his vision and tackling ability, contributes both in defense and in the development of attacking plays.
Among his titles with the team, he has already won the Premier League in 2024 and has established himself as a star player, being recurrently called up to the Danish national team.
Titles with Sporting:
- Primeira Liga: 2023-24
2. Alan Varela (Porto)
Alan Varela began his career at Boca Juniors, where he was part of the first team, winning important titles such as the Argentine Cup and the Argentine Championship.
In 2023 he signed for Porto, where he established himself as a central midfielder, offering good distribution of play and strong marking.
At only 23 years old, Varela is already among the best midfielders in Portugal and is considered one of the promises of Argentine soccer, receiving individual recognitions for his performances, in addition to being one of the most valuable players of Porto.
Titles for Porto
- Portuguese Cup: 2023-24
- Cândido de Oliveira Supercup: 2024
3.Orkun Kökçü (Benfica).
Kökçü began his career at Dutch club Feyenoord, where he stood out as an excellent attacking midfielder, winning the Super Cup</a> and later the Dutch Championship</a>.
His talent caught the attention of other European clubs and in 2023 he was transferred to Benfica for €25 million, becoming the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
The investment worked and the player quickly became one of Portugal’s best midfielders.
With exceptional passing and finishing skills, Kökçü has been key to Benfica’s success in domestic and European competitions ever since. He has also been a fixture in the Turkish national team since 2020.
Titles with Benfica
- Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup: 2023
4. Fábio Vieira (Porto)
Fábio Vieira, a graduate of Porto’s youth academy, began to attract attention for his technical ability and vision.
After excelling in the first team, he was voted Best Midfielder of the Portuguese League in the 2021/22 season, which led him to sign for Arsenal, a Premier Leagueteam, in 2022. where he continued to develop and won the English Super Cup in 2023.
In August 2024 he returned on loan to Porto, where he currently wears the number 10 shirt.
Known for his ability to create chances, Vieira has already won the Portuguese Super Cup and the Primeira Liga twice with Porto, and at just 24 is considered one of Portugal’s best midfielders.
Titles with Porto:
- Primeira Liga: 2019-20, 2021-22.
- Portuguese Cup: 2021-22
5. Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica).
Aursnes started his career in Norway playing for Hodd, and then moved to Molde, where he gained visibility by winning the Norwegian Championship in 2019.
The player also had a spell at Feyenord and in 2022 he signed for Benfica, where his dynamic and versatile style of play has made him an important part of the midfield.
Aursnes combines defensive skills with the ability to support the attack and with that he has already won the Primeira Liga in 2022/23 and is known for his consistency and dedication on the field.
Titles with Benfica:
- Primeira Liga: 2022-23
- Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup: 2023
6. Florentino (Benfica)
Florentino began his career at Benfica, excelling in the youth ranks before becoming a regular in the first team.
The star possesses absurd physical strength, as well as a great ability to face and protect the defense.
Between 2020 and 2022, the Angolan was loaned to Monaco and Getafe, gaining experience and returning to Benfica. Since then, he has been fundamental to the team, winning several titles, including the Portuguese League, and establishing himself as one of Portugal’s best midfielders.
Titles with Benfica:
- Campeonato Nacional Juvenil : 2017-18
- Primeira Liga: 2018-19 and 2022-23
- Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup: 2019 and 2023.
7. Leandro Barreiro (Benfica)
Leandro Barreiro started his career at Mainz 05, but in 2024 he transferred to Benfica, showing all his ability in transitions and ball control, as well as being essential in supporting the defense and attack.
In addition to being one of the best midfielders in Portugal, Berreiro has also played for the Luxembourg national team since 2018, playing more than 50 games in his country’s jersey.
8. Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga).
Rodrigo Zalazar began his career in Spanish soccer, playing in the youth ranks at Málaga, but it was at Frankfurt in the Bundesliga where he made his professional debut.
After a loan spell, he signed for Schalke 04, which he helped return to the top flight of German soccer.
In 2023, he signed for Braga and became a key part of the team’s midfield, thanks to his creativity and ability to pass long balls. Not to mention the fact that he is an effective finisher.
At just 25, he has already won the Bundesliga 2 with Schalke 04 and the Portuguese League Cup with Braga, and is considered one of Portugal’s best midfielders.
Titles with Braga:
- League Cup: 2023-24
9. Nico Gonzalez (Porto)
Nico Gonzalez began his career at La Liga side Barcelona, where he made a name for himself in the youth ranks before joining the senior national team.
After a brief spell at Valencia in 2023, he joined Porto, where he established himself as a versatile midfielder, providing assists and goals.
With excellent vision and refined technique, Gonzalez has already won the Portuguese Cup and is considered one of the most promising young talents in the league. Keep an eye on this star!
Porto titles
- Portuguese Cup: 2023-24
- Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup: 2024
10. Kanya Fujimoto (Gil Vicente)
Fujimoto began his career in Japanese soccer, playing for Verdy Tokyo, where he showed his talent at a very young age. In 2020, he was loaned to Gil Vicente, where he stood out for his speed and skill.
In 2022 he was signed permanently, adapting to Portuguese soccer as an important part of the team and one of the best midfielders in Portugal.
Fujimoto is Gil Vicente’s current number 10 and has started the 2024/25 season with good numbers, scoring 5 goals in 9 games, making him the only non-attacking player in the whole league, earning him a place in this list of the best midfielders in Portugal.
Midfielders are the true masters of the team, the Portuguese league has always been a storehouse of greats in this position, from Portuguese players like Luís Figo, Bruno Fernandes and Rui Costa, to foreign players like Deco, Valdo, Enzo Pérez and many others.
However, when it comes to soccer, it is essential not to lose sight of the present and the future, right? That’s why we’ve compiled a list of Portugal’s best midfielders today. Follow these stars and cheer them on.
Want to know more about Portuguese soccer? Then check out our articles on the best goalkeepers in the league, top scorers in the history of the league and all the national champions in the 90 editions of the Primeira Liga.
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