Portugal may not dominate discussions of powerhouse footballing nations — but in recent decades the Seleção has etched its name into history with decisive triumphs. How many trophies has Portugal won? In this article, VulcanKick will take you on a journey through Portugal’s trophy cabinet: major wins, runner-ups, and the emotional moments that shaped its legacy.
What counts as a “trophy”?
Before we jump into numbers, we need to clarify what we mean by “trophies.”
- Major competitive trophies meaning UEFA European Championship, UEFA Nations League, FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA World Cup (champions or third place).
- Minor / friendly tournament titles (e.g. invitational cups) can be mentioned, but they are less prized and usually not part of a primary trophy count.
- Runner-ups and podiums are often noted, but do not count as trophies won.
With that in mind, the focus here will be on Portugal’s major competitive trophies.
Portugal’s trophy history: an overview
Portugal has attained 3 major competitive trophies as of mid-2025. The breakdown is:
| Competition | Titles won | Years |
| UEFA European Championship | 1 | 2016 |
| UEFA Nations League | 2 | 2019, 2025 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup / Other | 0 | — |
Thus, the total is 3 major trophies.
That said, Portugal also has podium finishes and notable minor successes:
- Runner-up at Euro 2004
- Third place at the 1966 World Cup
- Third place at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
- A few minor invite trophies (e.g. SkyDome Cup 1995)
But these do not generally enter into the core “trophy count” used by most analysts today.
The major trophies in detail
Let’s dig into each of those three major titles and the paths Portugal took to win them.
UEFA European Championship 2016
This was a watershed moment for Portuguese football. The national team, under coach Fernando Santos, went on a tough campaign and ultimately defeated hosts France 1–0 in the final (via Eder’s extra-time strike). That win marked Portugal’s first ever major championship victory.
When many fans ask how many trophies has Portugal won, Euro 2016 is typically the starting point — because before then, no top-level continental or world trophy had been captured.
UEFA Nations League (2019)
UEFA introduced the Nations League to create more meaningful matches for national teams. Portugal won the inaugural edition in 2019, defeating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final. This became Portugal’s second major trophy in history, and boosted momentum for the national team in the modern era.
UEFA Nations League (2025)
In 2025, Portugal clinched its second Nations League title, becoming the first nation to lift that trophy twice. In a dramatic final against Spain in Munich, the match ended 2–2 after extra time, and Portugal won 5–3 in the penalty shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the equalizer, and teammates converted all their penalties. The win reaffirmed Portugal’s status as a force in modern European football.
This 2025 triumph is the third major title and the most recent entry in their trophy list.
Other notable finishes and minor titles
While the three major trophies are the crown jewels, Portugal’s history also includes runners-up, third places, and less prestigious trophies:
- Euro 2004: Runners-up (lost to Greece)
- 1966 World Cup: Third place (their best World Cup finish)
- 2017 Confederations Cup: Third place
- SkyDome Cup (1995): Champions
- Brazil Independence Cup (1972): Runner-up
These achievements add depth to Portugal’s story, showing near-misses and resilience, but they are typically not counted in a strict “trophies won” metric.
Why only three? The long wait and turning point
For most of its history, Portugal was cursed with underachievement on the biggest stages. Legendary names like Eusebio, Figo, Rui Costa, and more recently Cristiano Ronaldo often dazzled — yet team silverware remained elusive.
It wasn’t until Euro 2016 that expectations matched potential. That triumph was followed by consistent strategies, rise of new talents, and adapting in tournaments like the Nations League. The timeline:
- Long drought — decades of talent, but no major titles.
- Breakthrough in 2016 — shifted national expectations forever.
- Consistency in modern era — 2019 and 2025 signified Portugal were no longer one-hit wonders.
Thus, three major trophies is more meaningful than it seems — each represents an era shift.
Context: comparing Portugal with other European nations
To truly appreciate Portugal’s three major trophies, compare with peers:
- France: Multiple World Cups, Euros, etc.
- Germany / Spain / Italy: Extensive trophy cabinets.
- Belgium / Netherlands: Few major trophies.
Portugal sits somewhere in the upper middle: more than most small/mid nations, but behind the historical giants.
Yet, no European team has won more Nations League titles than Portugal now (2). That achievement underlines their recent resurgence.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the trophy count
One cannot talk about Portugal’s trophies without acknowledging Cristiano Ronaldo. He was part of all three major title campaigns:
- He played in Euro 2016 (though injured in final)
- He starred in Nations League 2019
- He scored a key equalizer in the Nations League 2025 final
Thus, Ronaldo has won three international trophies with Portugal — more than most Portuguese internationals in history. His legacy is deeply linked to Portugal’s silverware count.
FAQs around the question
Q: Do we count youth trophies (U21, U19, etc.)?
A: No, when people ask “how many trophies has Portugal won” they mean the senior national team’s major silverware.
Q: Does qualifying for tournaments count?
A: No — qualification is not a trophy. Only finals, winning tournaments, or third place (in official tournaments) count.
Q: Is the Nations League considered a “major trophy”?
A: Yes, increasingly so. UEFA treats it as an official competition, and most modern analyses include it in the trophy totals.
Final Thoughts
How many trophies has Portugal won? The answer: 3 major competitive trophies — one UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles. These successes mark a historic transformation for a nation long starved of top-level silverware.
If you enjoyed this breakdown, stay tuned with VulcanKick for deep dives into players, teams, upcoming matches, and transfer insights. Want to explore “which players won most trophies for Portugal” or a full timeline of Portugal’s international finals? Let me know — I’ve got you covered.
