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Highest Goal Scorers in Liga Portugal History 1. Eusébio (424 goals), 2. Fernando Peyroteo (332 goals), 3. Fernando Gomes (331 goals), 4. José Águas (292 goals)
In the world of football, goals define legends, especially in Portugal’s top league, the Primeira Liga (also called Liga Portugal).
Over nearly a century, the league has produced strikers who did more than just score goals; they helped shape the history of clubs and impressed on the international stage.
Some names like Eusébio are known across the globe, while others like Fernando Peyroteo remain legends in Portuguese football history.
These forwards not only scored a huge number of goals, but also won trophies, shattered records, and carried their teams to glory.
In this article, we look at the top 10 all-time highest scorers in Liga Portugal history, and also detail what they won, both at club level and with their national teams.
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira is one of the most celebrated names in football, not just in Portugal, but globally. He scored 424 Primeira Liga goals mainly for SL Benfica from 1957–1980
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles: 11 with Benfica
Taça de Portugal: 5
European Cup: 1 (1961–62)
World Cup 1966: Third place with Portugal, 9 goals (Golden Boot)
Ballon d’Or: Winner in 1965
European Golden Boot: 2 times
Bola de Prata: 7 times (most ever)
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2
Portugal National Team: Key player in the team’s best World Cup finish ever.
Eusébio was known for his pace, powerful shot, and intelligent movement. He helped Benfica dominate Portuguese football in the 1960s and played a major role in putting Portuguese football on the world map.
Fernando Peyroteo is the highest goal scorer in Liga Portugal history with 332 goals in 197 league games for Sporting CP from 1937–1949. His goal ratio is one of the best ever in European football.
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles (Sporting CP): 5
Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 5
Liga Top Scorer (Bola de Prata): 6 times
Sporting CP Legend: Considered the club’s greatest striker and one of Portugal’s top historical scorers.
Peyroteo was known for his clinical finishing and powerful presence inside the box. He was central to Sporting CP’s success in an era when the club was one of the strongest in Portugal.
Fernando Gomes scored 331 goals in the Primeira Liga playing mainly for FC Porto from 1974–1991. He is one of Porto’s greatest ever forwards and was known for his leadership and scoring consistency.
Achievements
Primeira Divisão: 5
Taça de Portugal: 3
European Cup: 1
Bola de Prata: 6
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 1
European Golden Shoe: Gomes won the European Golden Shoe (as top scorer in Europe) during his career.
Portugal National Team: Represented Portugal and was part of major tournaments.
Gomes was also known for his heading ability and presence in the penalty area. His performances helped Porto become one of Portugal’s dominant teams in the 1980s.
Relavant Links
José Águas was Benfica’s main scorer before Eusébio’s rise, scoring 292 Primeira Liga goals between 1948–1964.
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles: 5 with Benfica
European Cup: Two wins (1960–61, 1961–62)
Taça de Portugal: 7
Taça de Portugal top scorer: 4
European Cup Top Scorer: 1
Portugal National Team: Represented Portugal internationally.
Águas had a powerful aerial game and often decided big matches for Benfica. His goals helped Benfica reach European finals and win trophies before Eusébio became the face of the club.
Nené, full name Tamagnini Manuel Gomes Batista, spent almost his entire career at Benfica, scoring 262 goals in the top flight from 1968–1986.
Achievements
Primeira Divisão: 10
Taça de Portugal: 7
Portuguese League Top Scorer: 2
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 1
Nené was a versatile forward, able to score with both feet and in important moments, contributing to Benfica’s strong domestic success in the 1970s and 1980s.
Manuel Fernandes scored 241 goals in the Primeira Liga while playing mainly for Sporting CP between 1969–1988.
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles: 2 titles with Sporting CP
Taça de Portugal: 2
League Top Scorer: 1
Longevity: One of the longest careers in the league with consistent scoring.
Fernandes was known for his technical skill and ability to score in many types of matches. His long career and consistent scoring made him one of Portugal’s most reliable forwards.
Rui Jordão rounds out the top ten with 226 Primeira Liga goals, mainly split between Sporting CP and Benfica in the 1970s and 1980s.
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles: 4 with Benfica, and 2 Sporting
Taça de Portugal: 2
Bola de Prata: Won 2 top scorer awards in his career
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 1
Portugal National Team: Scored many goals and was key for Portugal in international competition.
Jordão was intelligent on the field and known for his clever finishing and positioning, making him one of Portugal’s most effective forwards.
Matateu scored 219 goals in the Primeira Liga during the 1950s and 1960s, primarily with Belenenses.
Portugal National Team: Played for the national side, known for his athleticism and scoring ability.
Matateu was one of the most feared forwards of his time.
Even though he played for a club outside the big three (Benfica, Porto, Sporting), he still managed great goal records and made history at Belenenses.
José Torres scored 217 goals in the Primeira Liga from 1959–1980 with clubs like Benfica.
Achievements
Primeira Liga Titles: 9 With Benfica
Taça de Portugal: 4
Primeira Top Scorer: 1
European Cup Top Scorer: 1
Portugal National Team: Played internationally, including in major tournaments.
Torres was a strong and powerful forward who was known for his leadership and goals in big matches, helping Benfica maintain its status in Portugal.
Arsénio Duarte, commonly called Arsénio, scored 215 goals in the Primeira Liga in the mid-20th century.
Achievements
Primeira Divisão: 3
Taça de Portugal: 6
Bola de Prata: 1
Portugal National Team: Represented his country and was a respected scorer of his era.
Although not as decorated as some others on this list, Arsénio was a consistent and feared striker in Portuguese football in his time.
Relavant Links
The Primeira Liga has a rich history of goalscorers who helped shape Portuguese football. These strikers have thrilled fans and raised the league’s profile.
Their goal records reflect not just numbers, but dedication, consistency, and passion for the game. As football evolves, it remains to be seen whether future stars can match these historic achievements.
But for now, these ten names stand tall as the greatest goal scorers in Liga Portugal history.