António Veloso
Encyclopedia
António Augusto da Silva Veloso (born 31 January 1957) is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played most notably with Benfica. A gritty defender
who could appear in the flanks and on occasion in the middle, he played for his main club during almost two professional decades.
An international for nearly 15 years, Veloso represented Portugal
at Euro 1984.
, Veloso starting playing football with hometown A.D. Sanjoanense
, then moved to S.C. Beira-Mar for a further two seasons.
He joined Portuguese League giants S.L. Benfica in 1980–81, and was an everpresent fixture until his retirement, helping the capital
side to seven leagues and five cups
. Veloso also played in the UEFA Cup final
in 1982–83, as Benfica lost to R.S.C. Anderlecht
1–2 on aggregate and, most notably, in the 1987–88 European Champions Cup
final
, where he missed the penalty shootout attempt that gave PSV Eindhoven the final win (5–6).
An injury left him out of the team that surprisingly reached the 1990 European Cup final
, lost to A.C. Milan
. Veloso retired at 38, after 15 seasons with Benfica and more than 500 overall appearances. He subsequently became a coach, managing Benfica's seniors late in 2001–02, then moving to its B team, which folded soon after.
for Portugal
, making his debut in a 2–1 win over Scotland
, on 18 November 1981, in a 1982 FIFA World Cup
qualifier
. He played at UEFA Euro 1984, where Portugal reached the semi-finals, and was left outside the 1986 World Cup
team, due to a doping
test that was later proved to be fake.
His last game was a 2–2 draw with Spain
on 19 January 1994, in a friendly match, aged 36.
, is also a professional footballer. After an unassuming youth spell at Benfica, he went on to represent, with success, neighbours Sporting Clube de Portugal, also reaching the national team.
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 played most notably with Benfica. A gritty defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who could appear in the flanks and on occasion in the middle, he played for his main club during almost two professional decades.
An international for nearly 15 years, Veloso represented Portugal
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...
at Euro 1984.
Club career
Born in São João da MadeiraSão João da Madeira
São João da Madeira , in English St. John's Wood, is a municipality in northwestern Portugal. Its part of Porto Metropolitan Area, the second largest of Portugal. It has a land area of 8.11 km² and a total population of 21 685 inhabitants...
, Veloso starting playing football with hometown A.D. Sanjoanense
A.D. Sanjoanense
Associação Desportiva Sanjoanense is a Portuguese football club based in São João da Madeira. Founded in 1924, it currently plays in the Portuguese Second Division , playing home games at the Estádio Conde Dias Garcia....
, then moved to S.C. Beira-Mar for a further two seasons.
He joined Portuguese League giants S.L. Benfica in 1980–81, and was an everpresent fixture until his retirement, helping the capital
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
side to seven leagues and five cups
Taça de Portugal
The 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...
. Veloso also played in the UEFA Cup final
1983 UEFA Cup Final
The 1983 UEFA Cup Final was played on 4 May 1983 and 18 May 1983 between R.S.C. Anderlecht of Belgium and SL Benfica of Portugal. Anderlecht won 2–1 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second leg:-References:* *...
in 1982–83, as Benfica lost to 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...
1–2 on aggregate and, most notably, in the 1987–88 European Champions Cup
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...
final
1988 European Cup Final
The 1988 European Cup Final was a football match played between PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands and Benfica of Portugal. PSV won 6–5 on penalties after a goalless draw after extra time...
, where he missed the penalty shootout attempt that gave PSV Eindhoven the final win (5–6).
An injury left him out of the team that surprisingly reached the 1990 European Cup final
1990 European Cup Final
The 1990 European Cup Final was a football match between Milan of Italy and Benfica of Portugal, played on 23 May 1990 at the Praterstadion in Vienna, Austria...
, lost to A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
. Veloso retired at 38, after 15 seasons with Benfica and more than 500 overall appearances. He subsequently became a coach, managing Benfica's seniors late in 2001–02, then moving to its B team, which folded soon after.
International career
Veloso had 40 capsCap (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 Portugal
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...
, making his debut in a 2–1 win over Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, on 18 November 1981, in a 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
qualifier
1982 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification....
. He played at UEFA Euro 1984, where Portugal reached the semi-finals, and was left outside the 1986 World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
team, due to a doping
Doping (sport)
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport is commonly referred to by the term "doping", particularly by those organizations that regulate competitions. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly done to improve athletic performance. This is why many sports ban the use of performance...
test that was later proved to be fake.
His last game was a 2–2 draw with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 19 January 1994, in a friendly match, aged 36.
Honours
- Benfica:
- Primeira Liga: 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94
- Taça de PortugalTaça 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...
: 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1992–93 - Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1981, 1986, 1990
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe 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...
: Runner-up 1987–88, 1989–90 - UEFA Cup: Runner-up 1982–83
Personal
Veloso's son, MiguelMiguel Veloso
Miguel Luís Pinto Veloso is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Genoa C.F.C. and the Portuguese national team.Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also operate as an offensive left back.-Sporting:...
, is also a professional footballer. After an unassuming youth spell at Benfica, he went on to represent, with success, neighbours Sporting Clube de Portugal, also reaching the national team.