Take a read of the links between Rovers and the Portugal national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal are competing in their seventh World Cup Finals, having been semi finalists in 1966.
José Fonte is the only player in the Portuguese provisional World Cup squad to have played against Rovers; indeed, he is the only man ever to play for Portugal and oppose Rovers in a League fixture.
Born at Penafiel in December 1983, Fonte played in both Southampton’s League One matches against Rovers in the 2020/11 season, scoring in the August 2010 fixture. He also played against Rovers in the League Cup for Crystal Palace in August 2007 and has represented Portugal in 28 full internationals.
Pirates in Portugal
Colin Dobson, a winger who scored four goals in 62 League matches for Rovers between 1972 and 1976, was later a coach at Sporting Lisbon from 1987.
Tony Sealy, who played under Dobson at Sporting, contributing nine goals in 30 matches, later played for SC Braga and joined Rovers in 1989, scoring seven goals in 21 (+16) League matches over two seasons.
Moussa Dagnogo preceded two substitute appearances with Rovers in 2000/01 with a season at União Madeira.
Portuguese International
Eighteen opponents who have faced Rovers in League action down the years were born in Portugal.
The most recent addition to this list was Hildaberto Pereira, born in Lisbon in March 1996, who was in the Northampton Town side which drew 1-1 at The Mem in March 2018.
Rúben Lameiras, who missed a penalty for Plymouth against Rovers last season, was born in Lisbon in December 1994.
When Rovers lost at Wolves in the League Cup in September 2017, the opposition fielded, as a substitute, Ivan Cavaleiro, a former Benfica player who has appeared twice for the full Portuguese side.
The tallest outfield opponent
The tallest outfield player to oppose Rovers in League action remains Hugo Rodrigues, who was born in the Portuguese town of Santa Maria de Feira in November 1979.
Standing 6’ 8”, Rodrigues started Yeovil Town’s 1-0 win at The Mem in December 2004 and came on as a substitute in their 4-0 victory at Huish Park in March 2005.