Beto (Portuguese footballer born 1976)
Encyclopedia
Roberto Luís Gaspar de Deus Severo, OIH (born 3 May 1976), aka Beto (ˈbɛtu), is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played mainly as a central defender.
He played most of his professional career with Sporting (ten seasons, more than 300 official games and five major titles), but also had spells in France
and Spain
.
Beto represented the Portuguese national team
in one
World Cup
and two European Championship
, gaining more than 30 caps
.
-born Beto established himself in the first team in the 1996–97 season, at the age of just 20, after two loans. As a defensive force and team captain, he scored some important goals, namely against F.C. Porto, but also two own goals in a single match against rivals S.L. Benfica.
He won the national league twice, in 1999–2000 and 2001–02, conquering the double in the latter year. During his 10-year spell with the Lions, he managed to net at least one goal in every season.
After falling out with Sporting coach Paulo Bento
in January 2006, Beto signed for French first division
's FC Girondins de Bordeaux
for €
1 million, but appeared sparingly during his five-month stay. On the last day of the summer transfer window of the same year, he was sent on loan to La Liga
returnee Recreativo de Huelva
.
On 3 July 2007, Beto signed a three-year permanent deal with the Andalusia
outfit. After two solid first seasons (netting twice in each, and partnering compatriots Carlos Martins and Silvestre Varela
in 2007–08), he only played three times in his last, due to recurrent physical problems, as Recreativo eventually ranked last.
After terminating his contract with Recreativo, 33-year old Beto signed a one-year contract with C.F. Os Belenenses, in August 2009. As in latest years, his first season was blighted by constant injuries, and the Lisbon club was also relegated.
In late January 2011, aged almost 35, Beto returned to Spain
and signed a short-term contract with UD Alzira
, in the third division
. He reunited at the club with former Sporting teammate Luís Lourenço, and both were released in June after the team's relegation
, having appeared in a total of three games combined.
Beto returned to main club Sporting in August 2011, being appointed external public relations director.
debut in a 1998 FIFA World Cup
qualifier
against Germany
in Berlin
(1–1), on 6 September 1997.
He was subsequently part of the nation's squads at the 2002 World Cup
– where he scored against the United States
, as the national side lost 2–3 and exited in the group stage (he played that competition as a right back) – and both the 2000 and 2004 UEFA European Football Championship
s.
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 mainly as a central defender.
He played most of his professional career with Sporting (ten seasons, more than 300 official games and five major titles), but also had spells in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and 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...
.
Beto represented 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...
in one
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and two European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, gaining more than 30 caps
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...
.
Club career
A product of Portuguese League powerhouse Sporting Clube de Portugal, LisbonLisbon
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...
-born Beto established himself in the first team in the 1996–97 season, at the age of just 20, after two loans. As a defensive force and team captain, he scored some important goals, namely against F.C. Porto, but also two own goals in a single match against rivals S.L. Benfica.
He won the national league twice, in 1999–2000 and 2001–02, conquering the double in the latter year. During his 10-year spell with the Lions, he managed to net at least one goal in every season.
After falling out with Sporting coach Paulo Bento
Paulo Bento
Paulo Jorge Gomes Bento is a retired Portuguese footballer, and the current manager of Portugal.A defensive midfielder with tackling ability and workrate as his main assets, he played for two of the major three teams in his country, also playing four years in Spain...
in January 2006, Beto signed for French first division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
's FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
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,...
1 million, but appeared sparingly during his five-month stay. On the last day of the summer transfer window of the same year, he was sent on loan to La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
returnee Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
.
On 3 July 2007, Beto signed a three-year permanent deal with the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
outfit. After two solid first seasons (netting twice in each, and partnering compatriots Carlos Martins and Silvestre Varela
Silvestre Varela
Silvestre Manuel Gonçalves Varela is a Portuguese footballer who plays for F.C. Porto in the Portuguese first division, as a winger.-Club career:...
in 2007–08), he only played three times in his last, due to recurrent physical problems, as Recreativo eventually ranked last.
After terminating his contract with Recreativo, 33-year old Beto signed a one-year contract with C.F. Os Belenenses, in August 2009. As in latest years, his first season was blighted by constant injuries, and the Lisbon club was also relegated.
In late January 2011, aged almost 35, Beto returned 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...
and signed a short-term contract with UD Alzira
UD Alzira
Unión Deportiva Alzira is a Spanish football team based in Alzira, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1946, it plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home games at Estadio Luis Suñer Picó, with a capacity of 8,000 seats.-Background:...
, in the third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
. He reunited at the club with former Sporting teammate Luís Lourenço, and both were released in June after the team's relegation
2010–11 Segunda División B
The 2010–11 Segunda División B season is the 80th since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 28 August 2010, and the season ended on 26 June 2011 with the promotion play-off finals.- Group 1:...
, having appeared in a total of three games combined.
Beto returned to main club Sporting in August 2011, being appointed external public relations director.
International career
Beto made his PortugalPortugal 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...
debut in a 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
qualifier
1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone .A total of 50 UEFA teams entered the competition. The European zone was allocated 15 places in the final tournament...
against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
(1–1), on 6 September 1997.
He was subsequently part of the nation's squads at the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
– where he scored against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, as the national side lost 2–3 and exited in the group stage (he played that competition as a right back) – and both the 2000 and 2004 UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
s.
Honours
- Portuguese League: 1999–2000, 2001–02
- 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...
: 2001–02 - Portuguese Supercup: 2000, 2002