Portugese League Team of The Season Predictions (FC 26)
Hello and welcome to my Primeira Liga Team of the Season so far for 2025/26. This season has been defined by one story above all others: FC Porto’s return to complete domestic control. With 85 points from 32 matches, just a single defeat all season, and the best defensive record in the league with only 15 goals conceded, Porto have separated themselves through structure, consistency and defensive dominance. While Sporting CP and SL Benfica remain elite attacking sides, Porto’s balance on both ends of the pitch has ultimately defined the campaign. This context makes the Team of the Season selection especially interesting, combining Porto’s defensive foundation with attacking brilliance from Sporting, Benfica, Braga and beyond.
Luis Suárez has emerged as the league’s most dominant attacking force for Sporting, leading the scoring charts while combining physical presence with ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Alongside him, Vangelis Pavlidis continues to provide relentless movement and consistent finishing for Benfica, while Yanis Begraoui has established himself as one of the breakout attacking performers of the season for Estoril. Trincão has been central to Sporting’s creativity and progression, combining chance creation with strong end product, while Rodrigo Zalazar continues to drive Braga’s attacking structure through technical quality and final-third influence.
The midfield and defensive selections reflect tactical balance and defensive structure at the top level. Morten Hjulmand anchors Sporting’s midfield with ball-winning ability and positional intelligence, while Pedro Gonçalves offers creativity, control and attacking contribution from deeper midfield areas. Victor Froholdt has added composure and progressive distribution for Porto, helping maintain control in possession-heavy matches.
At the back, Diogo Costa has once again established himself as the league’s standout goalkeeper with 19 clean sheets and the best save percentage among top teams. The defensive core of Gonçalo Inácio and Nicolás Otamendi combines composure, aerial dominance and leadership, while Antonio Silva and Jan Bednarek provide defensive consistency and recovery quality. On the flanks, Alberto Costa has brought energy and defensive reliability from right-back for Porto, while Maxi Araújo offers width, progression and defensive work rate on the left side for Sporting.
Full List
Starting 11:
GK: Diogo Costa (Porto) – league-leading clean sheet record and elite shot-stopping consistency.
LB: Maxi Araújo (Sporting) – width, intensity and strong two-way contribution from full-back.
CB: Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting) – composure, distribution and defensive control.
CB: Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica) – leadership, aerial dominance and defensive stability.
RB: Alberto Costa (Porto) – defensive reliability and consistent energy down the flank.
CDM: Morten Hjulmand (Sporting) – ball-winning, positioning and midfield control.
CM: Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting) – creativity and attacking intelligence from midfield.
CM: Victor Froholdt (Porto) – composure, progression and control in possession.
CAM: Trincão (Sporting) – elite creativity and consistent attacking output.
ST: Luis Suárez (Sporting) – dominant goalscoring season and relentless attacking presence.
ST: Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) – movement, finishing and reliable end product.
Subs:
CAM: Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga) – creativity and technical quality in advanced midfield areas.
CAM: Ricardo Horta (Braga) – leadership and consistent attacking contribution.
ST: Yanis Begraoui (Estoril) – breakout goalscoring campaign with strong efficiency.
CAM: João Carvalho (Estoril) – creativity and chance creation in transition-heavy matches.
CB: Antonio Silva (Benfica) – defensive composure and strong positional play.
CB: Jan Bednarek (Porto) – aerial strength and defensive reliability across the season.
RM: Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica) – directness, progression and attacking unpredictability from wide areas.
