Miguel Monteiro

Miguel

Miguel in action for Valencia in 2006
Personal information
Full name	Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro
Date of birth	4 January 1980 (1980-01-04) (age 31)
Place of birth	Lisbon, Portugal
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Wingback
Club information
Current club	Valencia
Number	23
Youth career
1994–1996	Sporting CP
1996–1999	Estrela Amadora
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Estrela Amadora	32	(0)
2000–2005	Benfica	131	(12)
2005–	Valencia	164	(2)
National team
2000–2002	Portugal U21	23	(4)
2003–2010	Portugal	59	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, simply Miguel (Portuguese pronunciation: [miˈɣɛɫ]), OIH (born 4 January 1980 in Lisbon), is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, mainly as a right defender.

Club career

Early years / Benfica

Miguel started his career with C.F. Estrela da Amadora as a winger. On 30 April 1999, he made his first-team debut, playing 17 minutes in a 1–2 away loss against Boavista FC, then added 28 league appearances in his only full season as the Lisbon club retained its top division status.

In the 2000 summer, Miguel moved to S.L. Benfica, making the transition to right midfielder and then right back (by the hand of former Benfica player Fernando Chalana, in his only game as a transition coach) – the position that ultimately brought him worldwide recognition. In 2004–05, he contributed with 22 games and two goals, as the Reds won the national championship after an 11-year wait.

Valencia

Miguel joined Valencia CF in August 2005 for a €7.5 million fee.^[1] Fully established as first-choice, he signed a new five-year contract with the team in September 2007,^[2] and helping the Che win the domestic cup the following year, playing in the final 3–1 win against Getafe CF.

In the 2009–10 season, Miguel was challenged by new signing Bruno, but still appeared in 25 matches as Valencia finished third and returned to the UEFA Champions League.

International career

A Portuguese international since making his debut against Italy on 12 February 2003, Miguel played for his country squad in UEFA Euro 2004, where Portugal were defeated in the final by Greece, and at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In Euro 2008, he backed up José Bosingwa, and only appeared in the group stage 2–0 loss against hosts Switzerland.

Again selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – in spite of an irregular season at Valencia – Miguel was one of three right backs used during Portugal's four matches in the competition, appearing in the group stage 7–0 win against North Korea. On 9 September 2010, the 30-year old announced his retirement from international duty.

Miguel Monteiro: International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	11 October 2003	Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon, Portugal	Albania	5–3	5–3	Friendly

Honours

Club

Benfica

• Portuguese League: 2004–05
• Portuguese Cup: 2003–04; Runner-up 2004–05
• Portuguese Supercup: 2005

Valencia

• Spanish Cup: 2007–08

Country

• UEFA European Football Championship: Runner-up 2004

Orders

• Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)^[3]

Club statistics

Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Cup	Apps	Goals	Continental	Apps	Goals
1998–99	Estrela Amadora		4	0		0	0		0	0
1999-00	Estrela Amadora		28	0		0	0		0	0
2000–01	Benfica		23	1		0	?		?	?
2001–02	Benfica		27	6		0	?		?	0
2002–03	Benfica		29	1		0	?		0	?
2003–04	Benfica		30	2		0	?		0	0
2004–05	Benfica		22	2		0	?		?	0
2005–06	Valencia		31	1		4	1		?	0
2006–07	Valencia		30	0		3	0		9	0
2007–08	Valencia		26	1		4	0		6	0
2008–09	Valencia		28	0		3	0		4	0
2009–10	Valencia		25	0		0	0		2	0
Total			255	14	Total	?	?	Total	?	?

References

1. ^ Miguel makes switch to Mestalla
2. ^ Miguel extends Mestalla stay
3. ^ "Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança [National team honoured by Duke of Bragança]" (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006. http://cristianosantosronaldo.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html. Retrieved 30 August 2006. 

External links

• Valencia official profile
• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Stats at ForaDeJogo
• PortuGOAL profile
• BDFutbol profile
• Miguel Monteiro at National-Football-Teams.com
• 2010 FIFA World Cup profile
• Miguel Monteiro – FIFA competition record
• Transfermarkt profile
• CiberChe stats and bio (Spanish)

Persondata
Name	Monteiro, Miguel
Alternative names	Miguel
Short description	Footballer
Date of birth	4 January 1980
Place of birth	Lisbon, Portugal
Date of death
Place of death