In the latest instalment of our series of our favourite wonderkids from certain countries, our next stop is Portugal, which has become a prolific producer of high-quality players in recent decades. Here are our favourite Portuguese wonderkids:
Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
The 19-year-old is already in his second season with Porto’s first team after he broke into the club’s squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. The winger scored a highly respectable 11 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions last season. His performances were good enough to earn a call-up to the national team.
He has been slightly underwhelming in the 2025/26 campaign, but is still considered to be one of the brightest young players in the European game.
Mora’s ability and potential are definitely reflected at FM26. His starting stats are highly promising. The highlights of his stats are +15 in technique, first touch, dribbling, determination, and flair. Those high stats hint at the player he will become.
The youngster becomes one of the world’s attacking players after a few seasons’ worth over £100m. The fact that he can play in any of the attacking midfield roles, as well as playing as a central striker.
One caveat to signing Mora would be his price tag in the first summer. However, if you are managing a club with a decent transfer kitty, Mora’s £60m release clause is well worth paying.
Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP, on loan from Chelsea)
Quenda came through the youth academy at Portuguese giants Sporting CP. He broke into the Sporting first team for the 2024/25 season, making 54 appearances in all competitions.
In March 2025, it was announced that Quenda would join Premier League Chelsea in the summer of 2026. That means you can’t sign the winger in the first summer with a transfer already arranged.
However, he could be signed on loan in the second season if he is not in the first-team plans in south west London. Incredibly, the winger is valued at over £200m in the first transfer window.
That potential value underlines his potential. His starting stats are pretty impressive, too, as Quenda has +15 attributes in technique, dribbling and flair, among other stats. He goes on to become an outstanding player who can play on both the left and the right flanks.
Roger Fernandes (Al-Ittihad)
The former Sporting Braga youngster now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League after a 2025 switch. The youngster has made a bright start and impressed in the Saudi top-flight.
His starting stats are strong for any player, with +15 in technique, dribbling, long shots, and flair, which are all good attributes for a winger who can play on both wings. Those stats improve a lot, and he becomes a highly effective winger.
As with signing any player from a Saudi Arabian club, Fernandes’ price tag is relatively high, and he can cost up to £60m including add-ons. If you are managing a club with a decent transfer kitty, then Fernandes would undoubtedly be a highly useful addition to most squads.
Renato Veiga (Villarreal)
The versatile former Chelsea star is the oldest player on our list at 22. Veiga has already played for Basel, Juventus and Chelsea before his move to Spanish club Villarreal.
He has impressed in spells during his short career and is regarded as a bright young defensive player. His stats at the beginning of the game are decent.
Although only one of Veiga’s stats is 16+, which is 16 in aggression, his all-around stats are promising, though, with so many of his stats around 13 or 14, which grow very well in just a few seasons. He becomes a very good all-around player who can play centre-back, left-back, and defensive midfielder.
Veiga has only just joined Villarreal in the summer, so the Yellow Submarine are not keen on selling him in the first transfer window. His value in the first transfer window is an eye-watering £96-116m.
It would be silly to pursue an interest in him in that first summer, as the fee is a massive one for any player. Attempting to sign him after a few seasons is a better idea than spending the enormous amount of money in the opening transfer window.
Gustavo Sa (Famalicao)
The 21-year-old midfielder is one of the lowest-profile players on our list. However, he is arguably the biggest bargain of all the players we are talking about.
Sa started his professional career at Famalicao in 2022, and he has since made nearly 100 appearances across all competitions for the Portuguese outfit, despite his relatively tender years.
Like all the players on our list, he starts the game with very good all-round stats, especially for a midfield player. He has +14 stats for technique, passing, first touch and vision. Those stats improve, and he becomes a top centre-midfielder or even an attacking midfielder.
Sa has a minimum fee of around £43m in his contract. However, the midfielder can be signed for around £30m plus add-ons, which is money very well spent. Not only will he produce the performances on the pitch, but you can also sell him on for a profit.
Who is your favourite Portuguese wonderkid on FM26?
