A key member of the national side that reached the final of Euro 2004. Following the tournament in Portugal his stock rose to such an extent that Maniche was regarded as one of the finest all-round midfielders in Europe. Having conquered Europe with Porto it seemed the footballing world was his oyster, but a record £11million move to Dinamo Moscow failed to work out and he left Russia in January 2006 to sign for Chelsea - and former mentor Jose Mourinho - on loan. On his day a strong creative force with an eye for goal and a powerful long-range shot.