Hugo Leal
Encyclopedia
Hugo Miguel Ribeiro Leal (born 21 May 1980 in Cascais
) is a Portuguese
professional footballer who plays for Vitória de Setúbal
in the Portuguese first division.
A central midfielder, he is also a reliable set piece
taker. He also played professionally, albeit with little impact in the countries' top division, in Spain
and France
.
outskirts, Leal started his career with local giants Sport Lisboa e Benfica and, not yet 17, made his first division debut against S.C. Espinho
, in a 2–0 win on 20 April 1997. He made his breakthrough in the 1998–99 season, playing 27 league games and scoring three goals; in between, he served a loan stint at Benfica's feeder club
F.C. Alverca
, at the time also in the top level.
In the summer 1999, Leal moved abroad to play for Spanish
club Atlético de Madrid. In his first year, the club was relegated
to the second division
; in his only goal of the season, a 13 May 2000 home draw against Sevilla FC
, he was also sent off
. Leal stayed for the following season, but could not help the Colchoneros win promotion back into La Liga
, although he had established in the starting XI (36 games, four goals).
Leal moved to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in 2001, helping the capital
outfit to two French Cup
finals in consecutive years. However, his playing time was gradually cut, forcing the player to move back to Portugal after three seasons, signing for F.C. Porto. He played six months in Porto, before moving on to Académica de Coimbra during the season.
For 2005–06, Leal signed for Sporting Clube de Braga, but left the club by mutual agreement in January 2007, after only managing 17 league contests in nearly two seasons. In August he returned to Lisbon
, joining C.F. Os Belenenses in a one-year deal, in another season severely cut short due to injuries.
In late October 2008, Leal signed a one-year contract with newly promoted side C.D. Trofense. After the club's top division relegation, he returned to Spain after eight years, signing with UD Salamanca
(also level two) in a 1+1 deal (second year only if club attained promotion).
During his only season
with the Castile and León
side, Leal was an undisputed starter, but Salamanca not only did not promote but almost suffered relegation. In late July 2010, the 30-year old returned to his country, signing for Vitória de Setúbal
. In his third game, at former side Benfica, he missed a penalty kick
to equalize the score, after the opposing team had just been reduced to ten men (eventually Vitória lost 0–3).
for Portugal
, aged 18, a 0–0 draw with the Netherlands
in Paris
, on 19 February 1999.
Cascais
Cascais is a coastal town in Cascais Municipality in Portugal, 30 kilometres west of Lisbon, with about 35,000 residents. It is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal...
) is 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...
professional footballer who plays for Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
in the Portuguese first division.
A central midfielder, he is also a reliable set piece
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
taker. He also played professionally, albeit with little impact in the countries' top division, 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...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Club career
Born in the LisbonLisbon
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...
outskirts, Leal started his career with local giants Sport Lisboa e Benfica and, not yet 17, made his first division debut against S.C. Espinho
S.C. Espinho
Sporting Clube de Espinho, also known as Sporting de Espinho, is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Espinho, Aveiro district. The club has departments in volleyball - Sporting de Espinho , and handball - Sporting de Espinho that usually compete in the major Portuguese top leagues, and also...
, in a 2–0 win on 20 April 1997. He made his breakthrough in the 1998–99 season, playing 27 league games and scoring three goals; in between, he served a loan stint at Benfica's feeder club
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
F.C. Alverca
F.C. Alverca
Futebol Clube de Alverca is a Portuguese football club based in Alverca do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon. Founded on 1 September 1939, it currently plays in the Lisbon District Championships.-History:...
, at the time also in the top level.
In the summer 1999, Leal moved abroad to play for Spanish
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...
club Atlético de Madrid. In his first year, the club was relegated
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
; in his only goal of the season, a 13 May 2000 home draw against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, he was also sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
. Leal stayed for the following season, but could not help the Colchoneros win promotion back into 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...
, although he had established in the starting XI (36 games, four goals).
Leal moved to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in 2001, helping the capital
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
outfit to two French Cup
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
finals in consecutive years. However, his playing time was gradually cut, forcing the player to move back to Portugal after three seasons, signing for F.C. Porto. He played six months in Porto, before moving on to Académica de Coimbra during the season.
For 2005–06, Leal signed for Sporting Clube de Braga, but left the club by mutual agreement in January 2007, after only managing 17 league contests in nearly two seasons. In August he returned to 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...
, joining C.F. Os Belenenses in a one-year deal, in another season severely cut short due to injuries.
In late October 2008, Leal signed a one-year contract with newly promoted side C.D. Trofense. After the club's top division relegation, he returned to Spain after eight years, signing with UD Salamanca
UD Salamanca
Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2....
(also level two) in a 1+1 deal (second year only if club attained promotion).
During his only season
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
with the Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
side, Leal was an undisputed starter, but Salamanca not only did not promote but almost suffered relegation. In late July 2010, the 30-year old returned to his country, signing for Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
. In his third game, at former side Benfica, he missed a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
to equalize the score, after the opposing team had just been reduced to ten men (eventually Vitória lost 0–3).
International career
Leal received one capCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Portugal
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...
, aged 18, a 0–0 draw with the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, on 19 February 1999.
Honours
- French CupCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 2003–04; Runner-up 2002–03 - Portuguese Supercup: 2004