Gilberto Galdino dos Santos
Encyclopedia
Gilberto Galdino dos Santos, commonly known as Beto (born 20 November 1976 in Carpina
, Pernambuco
), is a Brazil
ian footballer who plays for Ergotelis F.C. in Greece
.
A defensive midfielder, he also holds a Portuguese
passport due to having spent many years in the country, where he even represented, with relative impact, S.L. Benfica.
and Uruguay
. After five years in Portugal
with mid-to-bottom table first division clubs F.C. Paços de Ferreira and S.C. Beira-Mar, excelling especially in the latter, scoring a career-best six goals in 2004–05, even though the Aveiro club ranked last, he signed a three-year deal with Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the summer of 2005.
Despite not being a fans' favourite, Beto was often cast in Benfica's first-team by manager Ronald Koeman
: he appeared in 24 matches, playing the full 90 minutes in half of those. His greatest moment at the club happened on December 7, 2005, when the Portuguese side defeated Premier League giants Manchester United
2–1 in Lisbon
, in a UEFA Champions League
group stage contest, sealing their passage to the round-of-16 stage; he scored the decider at the 34' mark, netting from outside the area.
Beto's second season in Benfica was less notable: with the departure of Koeman and the arrival of Fernando Santos and Kostas Katsouranis
(who played in his position), Beto was relegated to the subs bench, appearing in only six matches, all as a substitute. Thus, he signed a two-year contract with Swiss
club FC Sion
, on 15 June 2007.
On 8 December 2008, Beto left Sion and, earlier the following month, joined Greek
side Ergotelis FC, on a one-year contract.
Carpina
Carpina is a city in Pernambuco, Brazil. Its economy is based on commerce and footwear industry. Its current mayor is Manoel Botafogo.-Geography:* State - Pernambuco* Region - Zona da mata Pernambucana...
, Pernambuco
Pernambuco
Pernambuco is a state of Brazil, located in the Northeast region of the country. To the north are the states of Paraíba and Ceará, to the west is Piauí, to the south are Alagoas and Bahia, and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean. There are about of beaches, some of the most beautiful in the...
), is a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian footballer who plays for Ergotelis F.C. in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
A defensive midfielder, he also holds a 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...
passport due to having spent many years in the country, where he even represented, with relative impact, S.L. Benfica.
Club career
Beto started his professional career in 1998, having unassuming stints in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. After five years in Portugal
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...
with mid-to-bottom table first division clubs F.C. Paços de Ferreira and S.C. Beira-Mar, excelling especially in the latter, scoring a career-best six goals in 2004–05, even though the Aveiro club ranked last, he signed a three-year deal with Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the summer of 2005.
Despite not being a fans' favourite, Beto was often cast in Benfica's first-team by manager Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is a former Dutch footballer, and the current manager of Feyenoord. He is the younger brother of former Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman...
: he appeared in 24 matches, playing the full 90 minutes in half of those. His greatest moment at the club happened on December 7, 2005, when the Portuguese side defeated Premier League giants Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
2–1 in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, in a 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...
group stage contest, sealing their passage to the round-of-16 stage; he scored the decider at the 34' mark, netting from outside the area.
Beto's second season in Benfica was less notable: with the departure of Koeman and the arrival of Fernando Santos and Kostas Katsouranis
Kostas Katsouranis
Konstantinos "Kostas" Katsouranis is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Panathinaikos FC and the Greek national team as a defensive midfielder.-Panachaiki:...
(who played in his position), Beto was relegated to the subs bench, appearing in only six matches, all as a substitute. Thus, he signed a two-year contract with Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
club FC Sion
FC Sion
FC Sion is a Swiss football team from the city of Sion. The club was founded in 1909, and play their home games at the Stade Tourbillon. They have won the Swiss Super League twice, and the Swiss Cup in each of their twelve appearances in the final, the most recent being in 2011.The first team also...
, on 15 June 2007.
On 8 December 2008, Beto left Sion and, earlier the following month, joined Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
side Ergotelis FC, on a one-year contract.