João Manuel (footballer, born 1967)

João Manuel Loureiro dos Santos, known as João Manuel (born 31 August 1967; died 18 May 2005 of multiple sclerosis) was a Portuguese football player.

João Manuel
Personal information
Full name João Manuel Loureiro dos Santos
Date of birth (1967-08-31)31 August 1967
Place of birth Moimenta da Beira, Portugal
Date of death 18 May 2005(2005-05-18) (aged 37)
Place of death Guimarães, Portugal
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1988 Viseu e Benfica
1988–1992 Académico de Viseu 51 (7)
1992–1995 Académica de Coimbra 86 (8)
1995–2004 União de Leiria 251 (11)
2004 Moreirense 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

He made his professional debut in the Primeira Liga for Académico de Viseu on 28 August 1988 as a starter in a 0–0 draw against Marítimo.[1] Over his career, he played 255 games on the top level of Portuguese football, most of them with União de Leiria, he also played in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Intertoto Cup with the club.

International edit

He was called up to the Portugal national football team several times in 1996 and 1997, but stayed on the bench in each game he was on the roster.

References edit

  1. ^ "Game Report by ZeroZero". ZeroZero. 28 August 1988.