Vítor Hugo Gomes Paços
Encyclopedia
Vítor Hugo Gomes Passos, nicknamed Pelé (born 14 September 1987), is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Eskişehirspor
in Turkey
, mainly as a central midfielder.
. The financial crisis of the latter club eventually led to the administrative descent to the second division
. Subsequently, the prohibition of signing professional players led to almost every player in the squad leaving the club.
In 2004–05, Salgueiros' senior squad was constituted primarily of 16–17 year old youth players, including Pelé. Despite winning only one game and drawing other two games during the entire season, his performances caught attention.
Along with teammate Joel, he signed for S.L. Benfica in a controversial free transfer, as the players were to move to Boavista which was willing to financially help Salgueiros. Instead, Benfica signed the players and the Paranhos
side didn't receive any compensation.
. At start of the following season, with Vitória playing in the second level for the first time in decades, he was a regular on the first team, but a poor start for the team and a managerial change led him to the bench more often, as he finished the season with 11 league appearances and Guimarães achieved promotion.
Pelé was signed by F.C. Internazionale Milano
in August 2007, with a five-year contract. He played his first official match against U.C. Sampdoria
on 26 September, in the Serie A
, and made his first start against S.S. Lazio
on 5 December, due to midfielders Patrick Vieira
, Dejan Stanković
, Luís Figo
and Olivier Dacourt all being unavailable because of injuries.
On 7 May 2008, Pelé scored his first goal for Inter in a crucial Italian Cup
semi-final against Lazio, as Inter won it away 2–0 (also aggregate) to reach the final, against A.S. Roma
on 24 May, where he also scored from a brilliant long-range volley, in a 2–1 defeat.
On the last day of the 2007–08 summer transfer window, Pelé was transferred to F.C. Porto, in an exchange involving Ricardo Quaresma
and cash €
18.6 million. Pelé himeself was tagged as €6M. However, after playing almost no part in Jesualdo Ferreira
's plans during the season, on 26 January 2009, he was transferred to Portsmouth
in the Premier League, on a season-long deal with option to buy at the end.
On 10 June 2009, after no appearances for Pompey, Pelé returned to Italy, having a medical check at Genoa C.F.C.
to finalize the transfer, but the deal fell through. On 20 July, he was loaned out to Spain
's Real Valladolid
on a season-long loan, with a buyout clause to make the move permanent. After slow beginnings, he eventually finished the season
as a starter, due to injury to incumbent Álvaro Rubio, but the Castile and León
side was relegated after a three-year stay.
In July 2010, Pelé moved to Eskisehirspor
in the Turkish
Süper Lig, on a three-year contract.
, playing in the 2007 Toulon Tournament
and in that year
's FIFA World Cup
. Shortly after, he began playing for the U21s
.
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 for Eskişehirspor
Eskisehirspor
Eskişehirspor is a football club in Eskişehir, Turkey. Also known as Kırmızı Şimşekler or The Star of Anatolia. The club was founded in 1965 and started a football revolution in Anatolia. Eskişehirspor started a long term stay in the first league in Turkey when they were founded. This term lasted...
in 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...
, mainly as a central midfielder.
Early years
Pelé started playing at the youth teams of Boavista FC, then switched to S.C. Salgueiros, also in his hometown of PortoPorto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
. The financial crisis of the latter club eventually led to the administrative descent to the 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...
. Subsequently, the prohibition of signing professional players led to almost every player in the squad leaving the club.
In 2004–05, Salgueiros' senior squad was constituted primarily of 16–17 year old youth players, including Pelé. Despite winning only one game and drawing other two games during the entire season, his performances caught attention.
Along with teammate Joel, he signed for S.L. Benfica in a controversial free transfer, as the players were to move to Boavista which was willing to financially help Salgueiros. Instead, Benfica signed the players and the Paranhos
Paranhos (Porto)
Paranhos is a parish in the municipality of Porto, Portugal.It has an area of 6.67 km² and a population of 48,686 giving a population density of 7,299 inhabitants per km². Local landmarks include the Areosa Church, various faculties of the University of Porto and the sprawling Hospital de...
side didn't receive any compensation.
Professionals
Pelé joined Benfica B for the 2005–06 season, but did not manage to play regularly, leaving in December 2005 to sign for 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:...
. At start of the following season, with Vitória playing in the second level for the first time in decades, he was a regular on the first team, but a poor start for the team and a managerial change led him to the bench more often, as he finished the season with 11 league appearances and Guimarães achieved promotion.
Pelé was signed by F.C. Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in August 2007, with a five-year contract. He played his first official match against U.C. Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
on 26 September, in the 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...
, and made his first start against S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
on 5 December, due to midfielders Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a retired French footballer of Senegalese descent who is the Football Development Executive at Manchester City....
, Dejan Stanković
Dejan Stankovic
Dejan Stanković is a Serbian association football player who plays for the Italian Serie A side Inter. He captained the Serbian national football team until 2011, when he announced his retirement from international football...
, Luís Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
and Olivier Dacourt all being unavailable because of injuries.
On 7 May 2008, Pelé scored his first goal for Inter in a crucial 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 against Lazio, as Inter won it away 2–0 (also aggregate) to reach the final, against 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...
on 24 May, where he also scored from a brilliant long-range volley, in a 2–1 defeat.
On the last day of the 2007–08 summer transfer window, Pelé was transferred to F.C. Porto, in an exchange involving Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo is a Portuguese footballer of partial Romani descent who currently plays as a winger for Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş J.K and the Portuguese national team. Quaresma began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, and has also played for FC Barcelona, FC Porto,...
and cash €
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,...
18.6 million. Pelé himeself was tagged as €6M. However, after playing almost no part in 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...
's plans during the season, on 26 January 2009, he was transferred to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in the Premier League, on a season-long deal with option to buy at the end.
On 10 June 2009, after no appearances for Pompey, Pelé returned to Italy, having a medical check at Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
to finalize the transfer, but the deal fell through. On 20 July, he was loaned out 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...
's Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
on a season-long loan, with a buyout clause to make the move permanent. After slow beginnings, he eventually finished the season
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
as a starter, due to injury to incumbent Álvaro Rubio, but the Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
side was relegated after a three-year stay.
In July 2010, Pelé moved to Eskisehirspor
Eskisehirspor
Eskişehirspor is a football club in Eskişehir, Turkey. Also known as Kırmızı Şimşekler or The Star of Anatolia. The club was founded in 1965 and started a football revolution in Anatolia. Eskişehirspor started a long term stay in the first league in Turkey when they were founded. This term lasted...
in the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Süper Lig, on a three-year contract.
International career
Pelé was called-up on several occasions to the Portuguese U20 national teamPortugal 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....
, playing in the 2007 Toulon Tournament
2007 Toulon Tournament
The 2007 Toulon Tournament was the 35th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 31 May to 9 June. It was won by France, after they beat China 3-1 in the final.-Table:-Match summaries:-Table:-Match summaries:...
and in that year
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...
's FIFA 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...
. Shortly after, he began playing for the U21s
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
.
Honours
- Italian LeagueSerie ASerie 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...
: 2007–08 - Portuguese League: 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...
: 2008–09