Vitorino Antunes
Encyclopedia
Vitorino Gabriel Pacheco Antunes (born 1 April 1987 in Freamunde
) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays as a left defender.
side Sport Clube Freamunde
, where he began his professional football career. At Paços, he was instrumental in the side's first ever UEFA Cup qualification, also scoring in a 1–1 home draw with F.C. Porto.
After a season of excellent displays, Antunes was linked with moves to Porto, S.L. Benfica, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Atlético Madrid, AJ Auxerre
, Aston Villa
and R.S.C. Anderlecht
. On 29 August 2007, just two days before the close of the transfer window, Italian
club A.S. Roma
obtained the player on a loan deal, for €
0.3 million, with the option to buy him permanently open until 15 April 2008. He signed a 1+3 year-contract for €0.195 million in the first season (in gross, bonus excluded), gradually increased to €0.321 million in the last year.
Antunes made his official Roma debut on 12 December 2007, during the season's UEFA Champions League
match against Manchester United
. He was chosen as man of the match
in a poll conducted by the club's website.
On 20 January 2008, he played his first Serie A
match, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 home win over Calcio Catania
. He also started against the same opponent in an Italian Cup
semi-final match in April, which ended with another home success (1–0). He was, however, virtually absent in the league, barred by Italian internationals
Max Tonetto
and Marco Cassetti
(five appearances, 64 minutes played). On 2 April 2008, Roma exercised their right to full ownership, paying Paços de Ferreira the sum of €1.2 million. After signing, Antunes was immediately loaned to promoted U.S. Lecce
for 2008–09.
After appearing rarely for Lecce and not at all for Roma from August to December 2009, Antunes returned to Portugal the following month, being loaned to struggling Leixões S.C. until the end of the season, which ended in top flight relegation for the club.
On 5 February 2010, the FIFA
Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled Freamunde eligible to receive €45,000 for Solidarity Contribution. On 31 January 2011, Antunes was signed by A.S. Livorno Calcio
along with team-mate Marco D'Alessandro
, on loan. In June, he was released by Roma.
at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Canada
, playing all the matches in an eventual round of 16 exit, and scoring in a 1–2 group stage loss against Mexico
.
Also in that year, aged 20, he gained his first cap
for the senior team
.
Freamunde
Freamunde is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Paços de Ferreira. It has a population of 7,452 and an area of 4.68 km².-Sports:The main sport in Freamunde is football and the main team is S.C. Freamunde.-References:...
) 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...
footballer who plays as a left defender.
Club career
Antunes joined first division club F.C. Paços de Ferreira in 2006–07 on a free transfer from third levelPortuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
side Sport Clube Freamunde
S.C. Freamunde
Sport Clube Freamunde is a Portuguese football team based in Freamunde, Porto District. Founded in 1933, it currently plays in the Portuguese second division, holding home games at Campo SC Freamunde, with a capacity of 5,000 spectators....
, where he began his professional football career. At Paços, he was instrumental in the side's first ever UEFA Cup qualification, also scoring in a 1–1 home draw with F.C. Porto.
After a season of excellent displays, Antunes was linked with moves to Porto, S.L. Benfica, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Atlético Madrid, AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
. On 29 August 2007, just two days before the close of the transfer window, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
club A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
obtained the player on a loan deal, for €
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,...
0.3 million, with the option to buy him permanently open until 15 April 2008. He signed a 1+3 year-contract for €0.195 million in the first season (in gross, bonus excluded), gradually increased to €0.321 million in the last year.
Antunes made his official Roma debut on 12 December 2007, during the season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The 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...
match against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He was chosen as man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
in a poll conducted by the club's website.
On 20 January 2008, he played his first Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
match, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 home win over Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
. He also started against the same opponent in an Italian Cup
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
semi-final match in April, which ended with another home success (1–0). He was, however, virtually absent in the league, barred by Italian internationals
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...
Max Tonetto
Max Tonetto
Max Tonetto is an Italian football defender. Naturally left footed, his preferred position is the left midfielder position...
and Marco Cassetti
Marco Cassetti
Marco Cassetti is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A side Roma, as a center back or right-back. He is a hard working, versatile player who is able to cross the ball well.-Early career:...
(five appearances, 64 minutes played). On 2 April 2008, Roma exercised their right to full ownership, paying Paços de Ferreira the sum of €1.2 million. After signing, Antunes was immediately loaned to promoted U.S. Lecce
U.S. Lecce
Unione Sportiva Lecce or simply U.S. Lecce is an Italian football club based in Lecce, Apulia who play in the Italian Serie A. After being crowned Serie B champions in 2009–10, the team successfully managed to avoid relegation in 2010-11....
for 2008–09.
After appearing rarely for Lecce and not at all for Roma from August to December 2009, Antunes returned to Portugal the following month, being loaned to struggling Leixões S.C. until the end of the season, which ended in top flight relegation for the club.
On 5 February 2010, the FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled Freamunde eligible to receive €45,000 for Solidarity Contribution. On 31 January 2011, Antunes was signed by A.S. Livorno Calcio
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
along with team-mate Marco D'Alessandro
Marco D'Alessandro
Marco D'Alessandro is an Italian footballer who plays as a winger for Serie B club Verona, on loan from Roma.-Club career:D'Alessandro moved his first footsteps into Lazio youth system. In 2005 he joined Roma youth teams...
, on loan. In June, he was released by Roma.
International career
Antunes represented PortugalPortugal national under-20 football team
The Portugal national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal....
at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, playing all the matches in an eventual round of 16 exit, and scoring in a 1–2 group stage loss against Mexico
Mexico national under-20 football team
The Mexico national under-20 football team, is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation and represents Mexico in international under-20 football competitions.-Individual awards:...
.
Also in that year, aged 20, he gained his first 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 senior 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...
.