Sandro Mendes
Encyclopedia
Sandro Miguel Laranjeira Mendes (born 4 February 1977 in Pinhal Novo
, Portugal
), simply Sandro, is a Cape Verde
an footballer who plays for Associação Naval 1º de Maio
in the Portuguese second division
.
A central midfielder, Sandro also plays for the Cape Verde national football team
, and holds a Portuguese passport
. Most of his professional career was spent with Vitória de Setúbal
, which he represented on no fewer than three separate spells.
, but moved to Spain
still a youngster, although he had already made his Portuguese first division debuts, and played for two 1/2 seasons with Hércules CF
, in the second level
.
In January 1999, he joined La Liga
outfit Villarreal CF
on loan, but appeared just twice throughout his six-month spell, in a season that ended in relegation. He subsequently returned to the country's division two for the following season, with UD Salamanca
.
After a second spell with Vitória Setúbal (five seasons), Portuguese giants F.C. Porto came knocking in 2005–06, but he was quickly loaned, without making any official appearances, to Turkey
's Vestel Manisaspor until January 2006, when he returned to Vitória for a third stint.
In July 2010, after having contributed with 26 matches - one goal, in a 2–1 win at direct relegation rival Leixões SC, on 14 March 2010 - to Setúbal maintaining its top division status, 33-year old Sandro left for Spain again, signing for third level
side AD Ceuta
, in which he was joined by several compatriots.
Pinhal Novo
Pinhal Novo is a town in Portugal with 26,000 inhabitants situated in the Setúbal Peninsula halfway between Lisbon and Setúbal. It is served by two highways connecting Lisbon to the South and by its new train station that has enabled residents to connect directly to Lisbon's subway network in 30...
, 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...
), simply Sandro, is a 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 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 the Portuguese second division
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...
.
A central midfielder, Sandro also plays for the Cape Verde national football team
Cape 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:...
, and holds a Portuguese passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
. Most of his professional career was spent with 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...
, which he represented on no fewer than three separate spells.
Football career
Sandro started his career at Vitória Futebol ClubeVitória 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...
, but moved to 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...
still a youngster, although he had already made his Portuguese first division debuts, and played for two 1/2 seasons with Hércules CF
Hércules CF
Hércules Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, and holds home games at the Estadio José Rico Pérez, which seats 30,000 spectators.-History:After first...
, in the second level
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 January 1999, he 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...
outfit Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
on loan, but appeared just twice throughout his six-month spell, in a season that ended in relegation. He subsequently returned to the country's division two for the following season, 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....
.
After a second spell with Vitória Setúbal (five seasons), Portuguese giants F.C. Porto came knocking in 2005–06, but he was quickly loaned, without making any official appearances, to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's Vestel Manisaspor until January 2006, when he returned to Vitória for a third stint.
In July 2010, after having contributed with 26 matches - one goal, in a 2–1 win at direct relegation rival Leixões SC, on 14 March 2010 - to Setúbal maintaining its top division status, 33-year old Sandro left for Spain again, signing for third level
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...
side AD Ceuta
AD Ceuta
Asociación Deportiva Ceuta is a Spanish football team based in the autonomous city of Ceuta. Founded in 1996, it plays in Segunda División B – Group 4, holding home matches at Estadio Alfonso Murube, with a capacity of 6,500.-History:...
, in which he was joined by several compatriots.