Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha
Encyclopedia
Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha (born 6 March 1977 in Barcelos
), aka Carlitos, is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played as a winger.
Subsequently, Carlitos had one-season top division spells with Sporting de Braga, C.F. Estrela da Amadora and Gil Vicente again. In the latter season, he scored a career-best nine goals, as the Barcelos
side finished in a best-ever fifth position; his teammates included future Portuguese international
Petit
.
Carlitos then signed with league giants Sport Lisboa e Benfica, but could never really settle in the starting XI, also being demoted at one point to the reserves. In January 2004, he played for six months in Spain
for Polideportivo Ejido
, teaming up with former Benfica mate José Calado. He returned to his country and Gil shortly after, playing parts of his last season in the second division
, and finishing it again in the top level, with C.F. Os Belenenses.
In 2007–08, Carlitos joined Vitória de Guimarães, upon the Minho side's return to the top flight. He would only be used regularly in the first season - 21 matches, ten from the bench - helping to a final third position, but gradually lost his importance in the team; in July 2010, he returned to Gil Vicente, aged 33, appearing in 16 games as the club promoted to the top division
(eight starts, 551 minutes of play), and retiring shortly after.
Barcelos, Portugal
Barcelos is a city in Barcelos Municipality in Braga District. The city has a population of 20,625.-History:Originally a Roman settlement, it expanded and became the seat of the First Duke of Bragança in the 15th century...
), aka Carlitos, is a retired Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who played as a winger.
Football career
Carlitos' career was intimately connected with Gil Vicente FC, which he represented in four separate spells. He made his first team - and first division - debuts late into the 1994–95 season, aged 18, then proceeded to amass a further 56 league appearances in two full seasons combined.Subsequently, Carlitos had one-season top division spells with Sporting de Braga, C.F. Estrela da Amadora and Gil Vicente again. In the latter season, he scored a career-best nine goals, as the Barcelos
Barcelos, Portugal
Barcelos is a city in Barcelos Municipality in Braga District. The city has a population of 20,625.-History:Originally a Roman settlement, it expanded and became the seat of the First Duke of Bragança in the 15th century...
side finished in a best-ever fifth position; his teammates included future Portuguese international
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
Petit
Petit (Portuguese footballer)
Armando Gonçalves Teixeira , commonly known as Petit, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for 1. FC Köln in the German first division, as a defensive midfielder....
.
Carlitos then signed with league giants Sport Lisboa e Benfica, but could never really settle in the starting XI, also being demoted at one point to the reserves. In January 2004, he played for six months in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
for Polideportivo Ejido
Polideportivo Ejido
Club Polideportivo Ejido, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in El Ejido, Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1969, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 4....
, teaming up with former Benfica mate José Calado. He returned to his country and Gil shortly after, playing parts of his last season in the second division
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
, and finishing it again in the top level, with C.F. Os Belenenses.
In 2007–08, Carlitos joined Vitória de Guimarães, upon the Minho side's return to the top flight. He would only be used regularly in the first season - 21 matches, ten from the bench - helping to a final third position, but gradually lost his importance in the team; in July 2010, he returned to Gil Vicente, aged 33, appearing in 16 games as the club promoted to the top division
2010–11 Liga de Honra
Teams relegated from 2010–11 Liga de Honra* 15th Place: Belenenses* 16th Place: LeixõesTeams promoted to 2010–11 Portuguese Liga* Champions: Beira-Mar* Runners-up: PortimonenseTeams promoted from 2009–10 Portuguese Second Division...
(eight starts, 551 minutes of play), and retiring shortly after.