The Portugal national under-23 football team (also known as Portugal Olympic football team) represents Portugal in international football competitions (final stage and qualifiers) in Olympic Games, as well as in underâÂÂ23 football tournaments. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three over-age players. The team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). In three participations, Portugal's highest place was fourth, in 1996. This team also competed in the now-defunct Under-23 European Championship. The first time Portugal participated in the Olympic Football Tournament, they fielded main team players since the International Olympic Committee rules allowed to do so back then and in the 1980s, the team was composed of semi-professional players. The team currently qualifies in accordance to their under-21 team position in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The results below comprise both the under-23 team as well as the Olympic team. They won the world championships
Portugal was invited to enter the 1928 Summer Olympics Football Tournament, which was, at that time, contested by the best national "A" teams in the world and, therefore, considered to be the best international footballing tournament until the FIFA World Cup started, two years later, in 1930.
The Portuguese team was drawn in the preliminary round against Chile for a place in the first round. After falling 2âÂÂ0 behind, Portugal scored four goals, winning the game 4âÂÂ2 in what was their first win away from home soil. After their fantastic win against Chile, they faced off Yugoslavia and won 2âÂÂ1 thanks to a late goal in the 90th minute.
Egypt was the team that followed in the quarter-finals. Here the Portuguese adventure ended after a 2âÂÂ1 defeat. In the following games, the Egyptians lost against Argentina 6âÂÂ0 in the semi-final and Italy 11âÂÂ3 for the bronze medal match, which bittered the players. This was the first tournament the Portuguese team had ever competed in.
Portugal was drawn to Group Five, along with Denmark, to play in a two-legged Play-off. After a 1âÂÂ1 tie in Lisbon, the Portuguese lost the return leg in Aalborg 2âÂÂ1, ending with a 3âÂÂ2 aggregate result.
For the next tournament, Portugal was put in Group Six with Bulgaria. The playoff result was 2âÂÂ1 (0âÂÂ0 in the first leg in Porto and 2âÂÂ1 in Pleven) for the Bulgarians.
With England and Czechoslovakia in Group One, Portugal ended second with three points (four less than England) coming from a win and a draw against the central Europeans (2âÂÂ0 in Faro and 1âÂÂ1 in Teplice). Both games against the English were loses (3âÂÂ2 in Lisbon and 2âÂÂ0 in London).
Portugal was to play in Subgroup A of Group Four with Israel and West Germany for a place in the second qualifying round. They finished second behind the Germans (six points) with four points. After an initial win (3âÂÂ1 in Lisbon), they lost in Osnabrück 3âÂÂ0, followed by a 1âÂÂ0 defeat in Tel Aviv and a 2âÂÂ1 win against the Israelis in Lisbon.
With strong sides to play with (East Germany, Iceland, Italy, and the Netherlands) the Portuguese qualification was seen has difficult. With wins against Iceland (2âÂÂ1 in Leiria and 1âÂÂ0 in ReykjavÃÂk), two away defeats (1âÂÂ0 in Lecce, Italy and 3âÂÂ0 in Aue, East Germany) and all other games tied, they ended up in third place with eight points (five behind group winners and qualifiers Italy).
Portugal participated in the Atlanta Games and after a win over Tunisia (2âÂÂ0) and 1âÂÂ1 draws against Argentina and the United States, they ended in second place in Group A with the same points and goal difference as the first-placed Argentinians (but with lesser goals scored). Then in the quarter-finals, a win over France (2âÂÂ1) after extra-time assured them a place in the semi-finals. Once again, they played against Argentina, but this time the South Americans won 2âÂÂ0. For the bronze medal match, they faced a strong Brazil full of world stars such as Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, among others. Portugal was heavily defeated by a score of 5âÂÂ0. This participation remains to this day as their best ever performance with a fourth-place finish.
In the 2004 Games, the Portuguese were seen as major contenders for Olympic gold, but they didn't make it past the group stage. This disappointing performance started with a 4âÂÂ2 defeat at the hands of Iraq. The second game ended in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Morocco and in the third game, Portugal were once again defeated 4âÂÂ2 by a minor team (Costa Rica).
Gold medalists Silver medalists Bronze medalists
The following 18 players were selected to participate at the 2016 Summer Olympics.