César Peixoto
Encyclopedia
Paulo César Silva Peixoto (born 12 May 1980) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division. Mainly a left midfielder
, he can occasionally occupy the left back position.
near Guimarães
, where he was born), Peixoto's ability as a left winger allowed him to jump from the fourth division
straight into the top flight with C.F. Os Belenenses, thanks to former player João Cardoso.
He would score seven goals in his debut season, one of them a long range shot closing a 3–0 win against F.C. Porto at the Estádio do Restelo
. In July 2002, he signed with Porto, going on to be managed for two years by José Mourinho
.
, Derlei
and Deco
when, after netting in two consecutive league games in 4–1 wins, he was seriously injured in the UEFA Champions League
3–2 victory at Olympique de Marseille
on 22 October 2003 and, while it did not seem serious at first (he continued running and playing for a few minutes), in the next day a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament
was diagnosed, which forced him to miss most of the season.
After his recovery, Peixoto crashed his Mercedes-Benz SL500
while speeding to arrive in time at Porto's training center in Vila Nova de Gaia
, and while only getting minor bruises, the car was completely wrecked and he was promptly asked for explanations by Mourinho. His image as a professional suffered much from the accident, and in the next season he was loaned to Vitória de Guimarães, in January 2005, where he regained his previous form, returning to Porto for 2005–06.
Facing another loan, Peixoto was in the transfers list until the eleventh hour, being one of the final players to get a sit in the team. Following the internal problems with Nuno Valente and the sub par performances of Leandro
, club manager Co Adriaanse
turned him into a prolific left defender, in the same fashion of internationals
Miguel
or Paulo Ferreira
(who played right midfielder during most of his U-21 career).
After having scored twice at Associação Naval 1º de Maio
in a 3–2 success (he also netted an own goal
), Peixoto again suffered a major knee injury that would keep him away from the pitch for the rest of the season, eliminating any hope of World Cup
selection. He would be dismissed by Adriaanse and joined La Liga
side RCD Espanyol
on loan for 2006–07, finally losing all ties with Porto in March 2007. Previously, on 27 February, Espanyol had also terminated Peixoto's contract, as the player failed to make any competitive appearances for the Catalans
.
After two intermittent seasons, Peixoto refused to take part in Braga's 2009–10 UEFA Europa League contests against IF Elfsborg
, after reported interest from Sport Lisboa e Benfica, thus being suspended by the club. On 7 August 2009, a transfer deal between the two teams was arranged, for a fee of €
400,000. However, Braga retained 50% of the player's rights. He spent most of his first season playing as left back, battling for position with another adapted player, Fábio Coentrão
.
After appearing in 65 official games for Benfica (one goal, in a 6–0 away win against Grupo Desportivo e Recreativo Monsanto for the 2009–10 Portuguese Cup
), Peixoto was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jorge Jesus, as all Portuguese players, and was not given a jersey for the 2011–12 season.
debut, appearing as a late substitute in a 2–6 friendly loss with Brazil
, on 19 November 2008.
and presenter
Isabel Figueira dancing and hugging appeared in the pink press, and after a few weeks both announced their engagement. His colleagues noticed the engagement had a significant effect on his focusing abilities, and it helped vanish the image of the reckless, self-centered playboy
he had in the past.
The couple welcomed son Rodrigo on 2 September 2006. However, the couple divorced in October 2007.
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 plays for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division. Mainly a left midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he can occasionally occupy the left back position.
Belenenses
After playing his first two professional seasons at lowly Clube Caçadores das Taipas (based on Caldas das TaipasCaldas das Taipas
Caldas das Taipas is a town in Portugal. Town status received 1940-06-19....
near Guimarães
Guimarães
Guimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...
, where he was born), Peixoto's ability as a left winger allowed him to jump from the fourth division
Portuguese Third Division
The Terceira Divisão Portuguesa is the fourth level of the Portuguese football league system. The Third Division was initially the third level of the Portuguese pyramid but with the creation of the Liga de Honra in 1990–91, it became the fourth level...
straight into the top flight with C.F. Os Belenenses, thanks to former player João Cardoso.
He would score seven goals in his debut season, one of them a long range shot closing a 3–0 win against F.C. Porto at the Estádio do Restelo
Estádio do Restelo
The Estádio do Restelo is a multi-purpose stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people and was built in 1956.It is situated behind the world-renowned Jerónimos Monastery in the Lisbon district of Santa Maria de Belém....
. In July 2002, he signed with Porto, going on to be managed for two years by José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
.
Porto
However, Peixoto's Porto career did not go as planned: while talented, he failed to impose in the first team, and in his first season only played 15 matches, scoring three goals. Mourinho was still convinced of his abilities, so he refused to release him. Again with a slow start, he was starting to keep up with high profile players such as Benni McCarthyBenni McCarthy
Benedict Saul "Benni" McCarthy is a South African footballer who is currently contracted to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.McCarthy holds the record of international goals for a South African...
, Derlei
Derlei
Vanderlei Fernandes Silva , aka Derlei, is a retired Brazilian-Portuguese footballer who played as a striker.He spent most of his 16-year professional career in Portugal , having represented all three most important clubs in the country, and amassing top division totals of 187 games and 70...
and Deco
Deco
Anderson Luís de Souza, OIH , commonly known as Deco, is a Brazilian-born Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Fluminense....
when, after netting in two consecutive league games in 4–1 wins, he was seriously injured in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
3–2 victory at Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
on 22 October 2003 and, while it did not seem serious at first (he continued running and playing for a few minutes), in the next day a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
was diagnosed, which forced him to miss most of the season.
After his recovery, Peixoto crashed his Mercedes-Benz SL500
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.The term SL-Class refers to the...
while speeding to arrive in time at Porto's training center in Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia is a city in Vila Nova de Gaia Municipality, Portugal. It is located in the Porto District, south of the city of Porto on the other side of the Douro River. The city proper has a population of 178,255 and the municipality contains 24 parishes with a total...
, and while only getting minor bruises, the car was completely wrecked and he was promptly asked for explanations by Mourinho. His image as a professional suffered much from the accident, and in the next season he was loaned to Vitória de Guimarães, in January 2005, where he regained his previous form, returning to Porto for 2005–06.
Facing another loan, Peixoto was in the transfers list until the eleventh hour, being one of the final players to get a sit in the team. Following the internal problems with Nuno Valente and the sub par performances of Leandro
Leandro Silva Wanderley
Leandro Silva Wanderley , simply Leandro, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Clube Atlético Mineiro on loan from F.C. Porto, as a left defender.-Football career:...
, club manager Co Adriaanse
Co Adriaanse
Jacobus "Co" Adriaanse is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who is currently the head coach of Eredivisie team FC Twente.-Playing career:...
turned him into a prolific left defender, in the same fashion of internationals
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...
Miguel
Miguel Monteiro
Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, simply Miguel , OIH , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, mainly as a right defender.-Early years / Benfica:...
or Paulo Ferreira
Paulo Ferreira
Paulo Renato Rebocho Ferreira is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Chelsea as a defender. However, in his recent years, Ferreira has been noted to play as an attacking forward, in which he is famous for his through balls out to the wingers and/or striker-Early career:He started his career in...
(who played right midfielder during most of his U-21 career).
After having scored twice at Associação Naval 1º de Maio
Associação Naval 1º de Maio
Associação Naval 1º de Maio, commonly known as Naval, is a Portuguese football club based in Figueira da Foz, Coimbra District. Founded on 1 May 1893, it currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estádio Municipal José Bento Pessoa, with a capacity for 12,630 spectators.Naval is...
in a 3–2 success (he also netted an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
), Peixoto again suffered a major knee injury that would keep him away from the pitch for the rest of the season, eliminating any hope of World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
selection. He would be dismissed by Adriaanse and joined La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
on loan for 2006–07, finally losing all ties with Porto in March 2007. Previously, on 27 February, Espanyol had also terminated Peixoto's contract, as the player failed to make any competitive appearances for the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
.
Braga / Benfica
On 30 May 2007, Peixoto signed a three-year contract with Sporting de Braga, and declared himself delighted to join "...the fourth biggest club in Portugal."After two intermittent seasons, Peixoto refused to take part in Braga's 2009–10 UEFA Europa League contests against IF Elfsborg
IF Elfsborg
IF Elfsborg is a Swedish football club located in Borås. The club has won five national championship titles, the latest in 2006, and two national cup titles. Currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. Elfsborg is based at Borås Arena...
, after reported interest from Sport Lisboa e Benfica, thus being suspended by the club. On 7 August 2009, a transfer deal between the two teams was arranged, for a fee of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
400,000. However, Braga retained 50% of the player's rights. He spent most of his first season playing as left back, battling for position with another adapted player, Fábio Coentrão
Fábio Coentrão
Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Real Madrid in Spain, and the Portuguese national team.Mainly a left back, he can also operate as a left winger, and occasionally as a central midfielder....
.
After appearing in 65 official games for Benfica (one goal, in a 6–0 away win against Grupo Desportivo e Recreativo Monsanto for the 2009–10 Portuguese Cup
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
), Peixoto was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jorge Jesus, as all Portuguese players, and was not given a jersey for the 2011–12 season.
International career
At 28, Peixoto made his PortugalPortugal 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...
debut, appearing as a late substitute in a 2–6 friendly loss with Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, on 19 November 2008.
Honours
- Porto:
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 2003–04 - UEFA Cup: 2002–03
- Portuguese League: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 2002–03 - Portuguese Supercup: 2003, 2004
- UEFA Champions League
- Benfica:
- Portuguese League: 2009–10
- Portuguese League Cup: 2009–10, 2010–112010–11 Taça da LigaThe 2010–11 Taça da Liga was the fourth edition of the portuguese Taça da Liga. The first matches were played on August 8, 2010. The final was scheduled on April 23, 2011 where Benfica beat Paços de Ferreira 2-1, and won their third title. The final was played at the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra,...
- Portuguese Supercup: Runner-up 2010
Personal life
In the 2005 off-season, photos of Peixoto and Portuguese modelModel (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
Isabel Figueira dancing and hugging appeared in the pink press, and after a few weeks both announced their engagement. His colleagues noticed the engagement had a significant effect on his focusing abilities, and it helped vanish the image of the reckless, self-centered playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
he had in the past.
The couple welcomed son Rodrigo on 2 September 2006. However, the couple divorced in October 2007.