He began playing internationally for Portugal before he turned 16, and worked his way up through the national team ranks, appearing in his first World Cup for his native country in 2010. He has scored ten goals in 76 appearances for the Portugal national team. Meireles is famous for his tattoos, which cover much of his body. He has been married to his wife, Ivone, since 2008 after several years of dating while he played for Boavista. They have one daughter together, Lara, born in 2005. In 2009, they opened their own fashion store in Portugal.