Marco Almeida (footballer born 1977)
Encyclopedia
António Bernardo Parcana Marco Almeida (born 4 April 1977) is a Portuguese
professional footballer who plays for Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus
, as a central defender.
in 1996, with the former side then acting as feeder club
to the Primeira Liga giants. In 1998–99, still in the main level, he was again loaned, now to S.C. Campomaiorense
.
In July 1999, Almeida was signed by Southampton
's manager Dave Jones on a year's loan, with a view to a permanent move. After impressing in pre-season friendlies he made his first-team debut as a 71st minute substitute for Claus Lundekvam
in a Premier League match against Arsenal
at the Dell, on 19 September 1999. Within eight minutes, he was alongside fellow substitute Thierry Henry
just outside the Southampton area, when Henry received a pass from Tony Adams
; in trying to clear the ball, Almeida stumbled, allowing Henry to wrap his foot around the ball and send a rocket of a shot into the far corner of the Southampton net, the French
man's first goal in English football.
Although Almeida made a few appearances for Southampton's reserves, including scoring in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea
on 22 September 1999, he was never again called into the first team and, in December, the loan was cancelled. In the same country, he would also have unsuccessful trials with Bolton Wanderers
in September 2000, and with Cardiff City
(managed by former Saints boss Dave Jones) in 2007. Following his Southampton spell, he returned to Sporting, being released in the following summer, after which he re-joined Campomaiorense, now as a free agent
.
Almeida's most steady period came at F.C. Alverca
, which he helped promote from level two
in his second year, netting a career-best six times in 32 contests. After three seasons, he moved abroad again, going almost unnoticed at Ciudad de Murcia
(Spanish second division
), and he subsequently returned to his country, playing one season apiece with second-tier F.C. Maia
and Portimonense SC
.
In the following years, Almeida, already in his 30's, alternated between his country's lower levels and Cypriot
football.
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...
professional footballer who plays for Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, as a central defender.
Football career
Almeida was born in Barreiro, Setúbal, and started his senior career at Sporting Clube LourinhanenseSporting Clube Lourinhanense
Sporting Clube Lourinhanense, simpy Lourinhanense, is a Portuguese football club based in Lourinhã, Lisbon. It currently plays in the Regional Championships, and holds home games at Estádio Municipal da Lourinhã, with a capacity of 2,000 seats....
in 1996, with the former side then acting as feeder club
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
to the Primeira Liga giants. In 1998–99, still in the main level, he was again loaned, now to S.C. Campomaiorense
S.C. Campomaiorense
Sporting Clube Campomaiorense is a Portuguese football club, founded in 1926, and based in Campo Maior.The club had a professional football section that played five seasons at the top level of Portuguese football and reached the Cup of Portugal final in 1999.Campomaiorense was first promoted to the...
.
In July 1999, Almeida was signed by Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
's manager Dave Jones on a year's loan, with a view to a permanent move. After impressing in pre-season friendlies he made his first-team debut as a 71st minute substitute for Claus Lundekvam
Claus Lundekvam
Claus Lundekvam is a former Norwegian footballer, who spent most of his career at English side Southampton. He played for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup Final against Arsenal .-Playing career:...
in a Premier League match against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at the Dell, on 19 September 1999. Within eight minutes, he was alongside fellow substitute Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
just outside the Southampton area, when Henry received a pass from Tony Adams
Tony Adams (footballer)
Tony Alexander Adams, MBE is an English football manager and former player.Adams spent his entire playing career of 22 years as a defender at Arsenal. He is considered one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time by the club's own fans and was included in the Football League 100 Legends...
; in trying to clear the ball, Almeida stumbled, allowing Henry to wrap his foot around the ball and send a rocket of a shot into the far corner of the Southampton net, the French
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...
man's first goal in English football.
Although Almeida made a few appearances for Southampton's reserves, including scoring in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 22 September 1999, he was never again called into the first team and, in December, the loan was cancelled. In the same country, he would also have unsuccessful trials with Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in September 2000, and with Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
(managed by former Saints boss Dave Jones) in 2007. Following his Southampton spell, he returned to Sporting, being released in the following summer, after which he re-joined Campomaiorense, now as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Almeida's most steady period came at F.C. Alverca
F.C. Alverca
Futebol Clube de Alverca is a Portuguese football club based in Alverca do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon. Founded on 1 September 1939, it currently plays in the Lisbon District Championships.-History:...
, which he helped promote from level two
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...
in his second year, netting a career-best six times in 32 contests. After three seasons, he moved abroad again, going almost unnoticed at Ciudad de Murcia
Ciudad de Murcia
Club de Fútbol Atlético Ciudad was a Spanish football club based in Murcia, in the autonomous community of Murcia. Founded in 2007, it played its last season in Segunda División B , holding home matches at Estadio Juan de la Cierva, with a 1,600-seat capacity.-History:On June 6, 2007, Ciudad de...
(Spanish 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:...
), and he subsequently returned to his country, playing one season apiece with second-tier F.C. Maia
F.C. Maia
Futebol Clube da Maia is a Portuguese football club based in Maia, Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto. Founded in 1954, it currently plays in the Porto Regional League, holding home games at Estádio Professor Doutor Vieira de Carvalho, which holds 15,000 spectators.-History:Maia never competed in...
and 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....
.
In the following years, Almeida, already in his 30's, alternated between his country's lower levels and Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
football.