César Brito
Encyclopedia
César Gonçalves de Brito Duarte (born 21 October 1964), known as Brito, is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played as a striker.
, Brito started playing for local Sporting Clube, but soon attracted attention from national powerhouse S.L. Benfica, which signed the player in 1985.
At the Reds, he had a difficult start, going on to serve a two-year loan at fellow first divisioner Portimonense SC
. Upon his return, he appeared mainly from the bench, barred by Swede
Mats Magnusson
; during the 1990–91 season, his biggest moment at Benfica arrived, as he netted twice – as a substitute – to beat F.C. Porto away (2–0) and eventually clinch the national title, in a match that ended in a riot
.
Brito eventually left Benfica in the 1995 summer, after a 10-year link, and only 23 league appearances in his last three seasons combined. After a good year at Lisbon
neighbours C.F. Belenenses, he moved to Spain
, teaming up with a host of compatriots at UD Salamanca
, namely offensive partner Pauleta
. In his first season, already aged 32, he scored 15 goals in the second division
, helping the club clinch La Liga
promotion, while combining with Pauleta for 34 successful strikes (the pair finished joint-first and fourth in the scoring charts).
In 1997–98, Brito appeared regularly as Salamanca eventually stayed in the top flight, then moved to modest CP Mérida
, in division two. He saw out his career at his very first club, retiring at almost 36.
for the Portuguese national team
during four years, and scored twice.
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 as a striker.
Club career
Born in CovilhãCovilhã
Covilhã is a city in Covilha Municipality in Centro region, Portugal. The city proper has 36,723 inhabitants, and the municipality has an area of 555.6 km² with a total population of 53,501, being composed of 31 parishes. It is located in the Cova da Beira subregion, in the district of...
, Brito started playing for local Sporting Clube, but soon attracted attention from national powerhouse S.L. Benfica, which signed the player in 1985.
At the Reds, he had a difficult start, going on to serve a two-year loan at fellow first divisioner Portimonense SC
Portimonense S.C.
Portimonense Sporting Clube is a Portuguese football team based in Portimão. Founded on 14 August 1914, the club is one of the few professional clubs in the Algarve region, and currently plays in second division....
. Upon his return, he appeared mainly from the bench, barred by Swede
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Mats Magnusson
Mats Magnusson
Mats Ture Magnusson is a retired Swedish footballer who played as a striker.-Football career:During his career, Magnusson played for Malmö FF , Servette FC, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Helsingborgs IF .At the Lisbon club, where...
; during the 1990–91 season, his biggest moment at Benfica arrived, as he netted twice – as a substitute – to beat F.C. Porto away (2–0) and eventually clinch the national title, in a match that ended in a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
.
Brito eventually left Benfica in the 1995 summer, after a 10-year link, and only 23 league appearances in his last three seasons combined. After a good year at Lisbon
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...
neighbours C.F. Belenenses, he moved 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...
, teaming up with a host of compatriots at UD Salamanca
UD Salamanca
Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2....
, namely offensive partner Pauleta
Pauleta
Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, OIH , commonly known as Pauleta , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a striker....
. In his first season, already aged 32, he scored 15 goals in the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, helping the club clinch 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...
promotion, while combining with Pauleta for 34 successful strikes (the pair finished joint-first and fourth in the scoring charts).
In 1997–98, Brito appeared regularly as Salamanca eventually stayed in the top flight, then moved to modest CP Mérida
CP Mérida
Club Polideportivo Mérida was a Spanish football team based in Mérida, in the autonomous community of Extremadura.Having played twice in La Liga , the club disappeared in 2000, due to serious economic debts...
, in division two. He saw out his career at his very first club, retiring at almost 36.
International career
Brito gained 14 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 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...
during four years, and scored twice.