Marco Soares
Encyclopedia
Marco Paulo da Silva Soares (born 16 June 1984 in Setúbal
) is a Portuguese
-born Cape Verde
an footballer who plays for União Desportiva de Leiria as a defensive midfielder.
and one in the second
. In 2006, he signed for U.D. Leiria, but only made two first division appearances in his first two years combined, also serving two loans in the process, one of them in Romania
with CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.
Soares returned to Leiria
for the 2008–09 season
, helping União return to the topflight after a one-year absence. Eventually, he would also gain team captaincy.
On 31 October 2010, during a 1–2 home loss against Sporting Clube de Portugal - where he started his youth career in 1997 - Soares fractured his left leg
while attempting a shot, being sidelined for four months.
internationally. He was a member of the squad in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualification campaign
and, after the national team was eliminated, was called-up for friendlies with Malta
and Angola
, in August 2009.
On 24 May 2010, he appeared in a friendly
in Covilhã
with Portugal
– who was preparing for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
– playing the entire match as the minnows (ranked 117th) managed a 0–0 draw.
Setúbal
Setúbal is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303 inhabitants....
) 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...
-born Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
an footballer who plays for União Desportiva de Leiria as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Soares started playing professionally with F.C. Barreirense, competing two seasons in the third divisionPortuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
and one in the second
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...
. In 2006, he signed for U.D. Leiria, but only made two first division appearances in his first two years combined, also serving two loans in the process, one of them in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
with CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.
Soares returned to Leiria
Leiria
Leiria is a city in Leiria Municipality in the Centro Region, Portugal. It is the capital of Leiria District. The city proper has 50,200 inhabitants and the entire municipality has nearly 120,000...
for the 2008–09 season
2008–09 Liga de Honra
The 2008–09 Liga de Honra season is the nineteenth since its establishment. Trofense are the defending champions.-Teams promoted to Liga de Honra:*Oliveirense*Sporting Covilhã-League table:-Summary:...
, helping União return to the topflight after a one-year absence. Eventually, he would also gain team captaincy.
On 31 October 2010, during a 1–2 home loss against Sporting Clube de Portugal - where he started his youth career in 1997 - Soares fractured his left leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
while attempting a shot, being sidelined for four months.
International career
Soares opted to represent Cape VerdeCape Verde national football team
The Cape Verde national football team, nicknamed either the Tubarões Azuis or Crioulos , is the national team of Cape Verde and is controlled by the Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol.-Overview:...
internationally. He was a member of the squad in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualification campaign
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
The Confederation of African Football section of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw teams compete for five berths in the final tournament in South Africa...
and, after the national team was eliminated, was called-up for friendlies with Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
and Angola
Angola national football team
The Angola national football team, nicknamed Palancas Negras , is the national team of Angola and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Futebol. Angola reached 45th in the FIFA Rankings in July 2002...
, in August 2009.
On 24 May 2010, he appeared in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
in Covilhã
Covilhã
Covilhã is a city in Covilha Municipality in Centro region, Portugal. The city proper has 36,723 inhabitants, and the municipality has an area of 555.6 km² with a total population of 53,501, being composed of 31 parishes. It is located in the Cova da Beira subregion, in the district of...
with 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...
– who was preparing for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
– playing the entire match as the minnows (ranked 117th) managed a 0–0 draw.