Rui Esteves
Encyclopedia
Rui Manuel Guerreiro Nobre Esteves (born 30 January 1967) is a former Portuguese
professional footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder.
, Esteves made his professional debuts at the age of 18, playing for several teams in the Portuguese second division
, most of them hailing from the Algarve region: S.C.U. Torreense
, S.C. Olhanense and Louletano DC
. His top level debuts occurred in 1990–91, but he played just six times for S.C. Farense, and resumed his career in the second level, representing old acquaintances Louletano and Torreense.
Late in 1994, after having helped Vitória de Setúbal
finish sixth in the top division, Esteves earned himself a transfer to national powerhouse S.L. Benfica, but never settled with his hometown side, playing for a third club in the season as he was loaned to England
's for Birmingham City
.
He returned to Portugal in the following summer, playing two years for Benfica neighbours C.F. Os Belenenses, also in division one, and closed out his career at 33 after spells in Asia
, with K-League
's Daewoo Royals, and in the Chinese Jia-A League
with Beijing Guoan.
In 2005, Esteves began working as a coach
, starting with lowly C.D. Portosantense
, F.C. Maia
and Torreense. In December 2008, he was appointed head coach of Fabril Barreiro
.
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 played as an attacking midfielder.
Football career
Born in 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...
, Esteves made his professional debuts at the age of 18, playing for several teams in the Portuguese 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...
, most of them hailing from the Algarve region: S.C.U. Torreense
S.C.U. Torreense
Sport Clube União Torreense was founded in Torres Vedras in 1917, with the original name Sport União Torreense. It participated 6 times in the Portuguese Liga and its best result was two seventh final places , coincidentally the team's first two years in the top flight...
, S.C. Olhanense and Louletano DC
Louletano D.C.
Louletano Desportos Clube is a Portuguese association football club originally from Loulé, but currently based in Faro. The club currently play in the Portuguese Second Division South....
. His top level debuts occurred in 1990–91, but he played just six times for S.C. Farense, and resumed his career in the second level, representing old acquaintances Louletano and Torreense.
Late in 1994, after having helped Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
finish sixth in the top division, Esteves earned himself a transfer to national powerhouse S.L. Benfica, but never settled with his hometown side, playing for a third club in the season as he was loaned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's for Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
He returned to Portugal in the following summer, playing two years for Benfica neighbours C.F. Os Belenenses, also in division one, and closed out his career at 33 after spells in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, with K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
's Daewoo Royals, and in the Chinese Jia-A League
Chinese Jia-A League
The National Football Jia A League , commonly known as Jia-A , was the highest tier of professional football in the People's Republic of China, during 1994 through 2003, operating under the auspices of the Chinese Football Association.The Chinese Professional Football League was established in 1994...
with Beijing Guoan.
In 2005, Esteves began working as a coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, starting with lowly C.D. Portosantense
C.D. Portosantense
Clube Desportivo Portosantense, simply Portosantense, is a Portuguese football based in Porto Santo, Madeira. Founded in 1948, it currently plays in the Portuguese Third Division, holding home matches at the José Lino Pestana , with a 2,500-seat capacity.In 2004, Portosantense first reached the...
, 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 Torreense. In December 2008, he was appointed head coach of Fabril Barreiro
G.D. Fabril
Grupo Desportivo Fabril is a Portuguese sports club established as Grupo Desportivo da CUF in 1937.-History:Established as Grupo Desportivo da CUF Grupo Desportivo Fabril is a Portuguese sports club established as Grupo Desportivo da CUF (G.D. CUF, with CUF standing for the company Companhia União...
.