Nuno Espírito Santo
Encyclopedia
Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo (born 25 January 1974 in São Tomé
), simply Nuno, is a retired Santomean
-born Portuguese
footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
During his career, he first made a name for himself in Spain
, playing for three teams in five years. He later represented F.C. Porto in his country, albeit with little impact, and also played professionally in Russia
.
Nuno was part of the Portuguese squad
at Euro 2008, but never won a cap
for the national team.
, battling from age 20 with veteran Neno for first-choice status. In January 1997, he was snapped by La Liga
's Deportivo de La Coruña
, but would spend three of his six seasons in Galicia on loan, having backed up Jacques Songo'o
(1996–98) and José Francisco Molina
(2001–02) when he was part of the team.
In 1999–2000, as he represented CP Mérida
in the Spanish second division
, Nuno won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy
and helped the side finish sixth, but it would be relegated
due to irregularities.
F.C. Porto paid €
3 million to bring Nuno back from Spain in July 2002, as part of Jorge Andrade's deal. During a 2003 Portuguese Cup
match against Varzim SC, he was allowed by manager José Mourinho
to convert a penalty kick
, scoring the club's last goal in a 7–0 home routing. On 12 December 2004, he replaced club great Vítor Baía
during extra time
of the Intercontinental Cup
final penalty shootout victory
against Once Caldas
. However, in January, he was sold to Russian League
's FC Dynamo Moscow
.
Again in January, in 2007, Nuno returned to Portugal, for a stint with Clube Desportivo das Aves, eventually relegated from the top division. In July, he returned to Porto, backing up Brazil
ian Helton.
Uncapped
, Nuno was called to the Portuguese squad
competing in UEFA Euro 2008, replacing the injured Quim
. During 2008–09, he again played second-fiddle to Helton, although he appeared in four games, but was the starter throughout the domestic cup campaign, including the final win (1–0) against F.C. Paços de Ferreira.
On June 21, 2010, Porto announced Nuno's contract would not be renewed. The 36-year old said he would always support Porto as he left. After his retirement, he rejoined former Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira
, moving to Málaga CF
as a goalkeeping coach; the pair signed for Panathinaikos FC
in November 2010.
São Tomé
-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...
), simply Nuno, is a retired Santomean
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...
-born 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 goalkeeper.
During his career, he first made a name for himself 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...
, playing for three teams in five years. He later represented F.C. Porto in his country, albeit with little impact, and also played professionally in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Nuno was part of the Portuguese squad
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...
at Euro 2008, but never won a cap
Cap (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 the national team.
Football career
Nuno started his football career with Vitória Sport Clube in GuimarãesGuimarães
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:...
, battling from age 20 with veteran Neno for first-choice status. In January 1997, he was snapped by 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...
's Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
, but would spend three of his six seasons in Galicia on loan, having backed up Jacques Songo'o
Jacques Songo'o
Jacques Celestin Songo'o is a retired Cameroonian footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.Spent the vast majority of his professional career in France and Spain, also representing the Cameroonian national team in four FIFA World Cups.-Club career:After first establishing himself as a professional...
(1996–98) and José Francisco Molina
José Francisco Molina
José Francisco Molina Jiménez is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.11 years of his extensive professional career were spent at Atlético Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruña, where he won a total of five titles combined...
(2001–02) when he was part of the team.
In 1999–2000, as he represented CP Mérida
CP Mérida
Club Polideportivo Mérida was a Spanish football team based in Mérida, in the autonomous community of Extremadura.Having played twice in La Liga , the club disappeared in 2000, due to serious economic debts...
in the Spanish 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:...
, Nuno won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy
Ricardo Zamora Trophy
The Ricardo Zamora Trophy is a football award, established by Spanish newspaper MARCA in 1958. The award goes to the goalkeeper who has the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio. It is named after legendary Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora....
and helped the side finish sixth, but it would be relegated
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
due to irregularities.
F.C. Porto paid €
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,...
3 million to bring Nuno back from Spain in July 2002, as part of Jorge Andrade's deal. During a 2003 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...
match against Varzim SC, he was allowed by manager 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....
to convert 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...
, scoring the club's last goal in a 7–0 home routing. On 12 December 2004, he replaced club great Vítor Baía
Vítor Baía
Vítor Manuel Martins Baía, OIH , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a goalkeeper.His career was intimately connected with F.C...
during extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
of the Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
final penalty shootout victory
2004 Intercontinental Cup
The 2004 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 12 December 2004 between FC Porto, winners of 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, and Once Caldas, winners of the 2004 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, in...
against Once Caldas
Once Caldas
Corporación Deportiva Once Caldas is a Colombian association football team, based in Manizales. They were the surprise winners of Copa Libertadores de América in 2004, mainly due to the performances of Juan Carlos Henao and Jhon Viáfara...
. However, in January, he was sold to Russian League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
's FC Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
.
Again in January, in 2007, Nuno returned to Portugal, for a stint with Clube Desportivo das Aves, eventually relegated from the top division. In July, he returned to Porto, backing up 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 Helton.
Uncapped
Cap (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...
, Nuno was called to the Portuguese squad
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...
competing in UEFA Euro 2008, replacing the injured Quim
Quim
Joaquim Manuel Sampaio da Silva, OIH, , aka Quim , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Sporting de Braga as a goalkeeper....
. During 2008–09, he again played second-fiddle to Helton, although he appeared in four games, but was the starter throughout the domestic cup campaign, including the final win (1–0) against F.C. Paços de Ferreira.
On June 21, 2010, Porto announced Nuno's contract would not be renewed. The 36-year old said he would always support Porto as he left. After his retirement, he rejoined former Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira
Jesualdo Ferreira
Manuel Jesualdo Ferreira is a Portuguese football manager who currently manages Greek club Panathinaikos.-Early career:In Ferreira's early career, he managed Rio Maior and Torreense...
, moving to Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
as a goalkeeping coach; the pair signed for Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
in November 2010.
Team
- DeportivoDeportivo de La CoruñaReal Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
:- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2001–02
- Spanish Cup
- 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 - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 20042004 Intercontinental CupThe 2004 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 12 December 2004 between FC Porto, winners of 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, and Once Caldas, winners of the 2004 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, in... - UEFA Cup: 2002–03
- Portuguese League: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09
- 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, 2008–09, 2009–102009–10 Taça de PortugalThe 2009–10 Taça de Portugal was the 70th season of the Taça de Portugal. The competition began on 30 August 2009, with the first round matches, and concluded with the final, held on 16 May at the Estádio Nacional, in Oeiras, between defending champions Porto and then Liga de Honra team Chaves... - Portuguese Supercup: 2003, 2004, 2009
- Portuguese League Cup: Runner-up 2009–10
- UEFA Champions League
Individual
- Zamora TrophyRicardo Zamora TrophyThe Ricardo Zamora Trophy is a football award, established by Spanish newspaper MARCA in 1958. The award goes to the goalkeeper who has the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio. It is named after legendary Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora....
: 1999–2000 (Second DivisionSegunda DivisiónThe 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:...
)