Virgílio
Encyclopedia
Virgílio Marques Mendes (Entroncamento
, 17 November 1926-24 April 2009) was a Portuguese
football (soccer)
defender (football)
, noticed as a leading figure of F.C. Porto
and the Portuguese national team
during the 1950s.
He won the national Primeira Divisão championship title twice with F.C. Porto, in the 1955/56 and 1958/59 seasons. For the national team, Virgílio debuted in a friendly 1–4 loss to Italy on 27 February 1949, in a game that earned him the nickname of "O Leão de Génova" (The Lion of Genoa), for whom he would be known for the rest of his career. He was a constant figure in the national team for the next 11 years, and he played in the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup qualification. The last one is remembered for the historical 3–0 win over Italy
, which ultimately resulted in the Italians missing the 1958 FIFA World Cup
to Northern Ireland
, the only time the Italians have missed a World Cup tournament. Virgílio's last game came at age 33, in the Euro 1960
1–5 quarter-final loss to Yugoslavia, on 22 May 1960. That would be his 39th cap for the national team, which made Virgílio the most capped Portuguese football player of his time.
He also coached FC Porto for a brief period in 1966, when he succeeded Flávio Costa
in his second stint with the club.
Entroncamento
Entroncamento is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 13.8 km² and a total population of 21,751 inhabitantsThe municipality is composed of 2 civil parishes, contains an important railway junction, and is located in Santarém District....
, 17 November 1926-24 April 2009) was 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...
football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defender (football)
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, noticed as a leading figure of F.C. Porto
Futebol Clube do Porto
Futebol Clube do Porto , commonly known as FC Porto, Porto, or FCP, is a Portuguese multi-sports club from the city of Porto, in the northern region of the country. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, FC Porto is mostly known for its association football team...
and the Portuguese national team
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...
during the 1950s.
He won the national Primeira Divisão championship title twice with F.C. Porto, in the 1955/56 and 1958/59 seasons. For the national team, Virgílio debuted in a friendly 1–4 loss to Italy on 27 February 1949, in a game that earned him the nickname of "O Leão de Génova" (The Lion of Genoa), for whom he would be known for the rest of his career. He was a constant figure in the national team for the next 11 years, and he played in the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup qualification. The last one is remembered for the historical 3–0 win over Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, which ultimately resulted in the Italians missing the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, the only time the Italians have missed a World Cup tournament. Virgílio's last game came at age 33, in the Euro 1960
1960 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1960 UEFA European Nations Cup was the first European Football Championship, held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. The final tournament was held in France. It was won by the Soviet Union, who beat Yugoslavia 2–1 in Paris after extra time....
1–5 quarter-final loss to Yugoslavia, on 22 May 1960. That would be his 39th cap for the national team, which made Virgílio the most capped Portuguese football player of his time.
He also coached FC Porto for a brief period in 1966, when he succeeded Flávio Costa
Flávio Costa
Flávio Rodrigues da Costa was a Brazilian football player and manager. He was born in Carangola, Minas Gerais....
in his second stint with the club.