Hélder Cristóvão
Encyclopedia
Hélder Marino Rodrigues Cristóvão, simply Hélder (born 21 March 1971 in Luanda
), is a retired Portuguese
footballer of Angola
n descent who played as a central defender.
, playing 22 La Liga
matches in only six months, as the club finished in third position.
In November 1999, Hélder joined Newcastle United
in the Premier League on loan, making 12 official appearances and scoring once, against Sunderland. In that season, the Galicians went on to conquer their first league title, with the player failing to contribute in that competition. Subsequently, he returned to Depor, appearing very rarely in his last season, which ended in Copa del Rey
conquest.
In 2002–03, aged 31, Hélder returned to Benfica, playing there for two more years (being used in average of 20 league matches and winning one Portuguese Cup
) and joining Paris Saint-Germain F.C. the following season, where he teamed up with compatriot Pauleta
. He played his last season for Greece
's Larissa F.C. in 2005–06, appearing rarely in the top division and retiring at the end of the season.
In the 2009 summer, Cristóvão began a coaching career, precisely with his first club, Estoril (then in the second division
). On 28 September, merely two months after being appointed, he was fired.
, scoring three goals. His first game was on 12 February 1992, a 2–0 win over the Netherlands
, in a friendly match, and his last a 0–4 loss to France
, in Paris
, on 25 April 2001, in another friendly.
Hélder represented the nation at UEFA Euro 1996, appearing in all four matches for the quarterfinalists, as he started alongside Fernando Couto
.
Luanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
), is a retired Portuguese
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 of Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
n descent who played as a central defender.
Club career
Hélder first attracted attention as a G.D. Estoril Praia player, moving to S.L. Benfica in 1992–93, where he would stay the following four 1/2 years, mainly as a starter. In December 1996, he moved to Deportivo de La CoruñaDeportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
, playing 22 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...
matches in only six months, as the club finished in third position.
In November 1999, Hélder joined Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the Premier League on loan, making 12 official appearances and scoring once, against Sunderland. In that season, the Galicians went on to conquer their first league title, with the player failing to contribute in that competition. Subsequently, he returned to Depor, appearing very rarely in his last season, which ended in Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
conquest.
In 2002–03, aged 31, Hélder returned to Benfica, playing there for two more years (being used in average of 20 league matches and winning one Portuguese Cup
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...
) and joining Paris Saint-Germain F.C. the following season, where he teamed up with compatriot Pauleta
Pauleta
Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, OIH , commonly known as Pauleta , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a striker....
. He played his last season for Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
's Larissa F.C. in 2005–06, appearing rarely in the top division and retiring at the end of the season.
In the 2009 summer, Cristóvão began a coaching career, precisely with his first club, Estoril (then in 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...
). On 28 September, merely two months after being appointed, he was fired.
International career
Hélder appeared 35 times for the Portuguese national teamPortugal 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...
, scoring three goals. His first game was on 12 February 1992, a 2–0 win over the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, in a friendly match, and his last a 0–4 loss to France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, on 25 April 2001, in another friendly.
Hélder represented the nation at UEFA Euro 1996, appearing in all four matches for the quarterfinalists, as he started alongside Fernando Couto
Fernando Couto
Fernando Manuel Silva Couto, OIH is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.During a 21-year professional career, he played in a number of top teams in Portugal, Spain and Italy , appearing in nearly 600 official games and winning the national league title of each country,...
.
Honours
- Benfica:
- Portuguese League: 1993–94
- 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...
: 1992–93, 1995–96, 2003–04
- Deportivo:
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: 1999–2000 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2001–02
- Spanish League