Simão Mate Junior
Encyclopedia
Simão Mate Junior is a football player from Mozambique
currently playing as a defensive midfielder or a central defender for Panathinaikos FC
. He is known for his marking.
in the summer of 2007, until then he played for Mozambique side Clube Ferroviário de Maputo
. In which he joined at 2003. He underwent a two-weeks trial and eventually he signed a 4 year deal with Panathinaikos FC. Since then he has managed to surprise his coach and the team's fans with his solidness, strength and tenacity. Despite his young age, he has made some first-team appearances and has become a precious solution for his coach Henk ten Cate
.
Although he was signed in order to play as a defender
, circumstances and teammates' injuries made the team's coach to use Simão as a defensive midfielder, actually the player is established at fans' minds as a midfielder rather than a defender.
Simão has been particularly impressive in the minds of many Panathinaikos supporters which came as a surprise, given his relative anonymity and small transfer cost. His debut season was a great success; Simão made 27 first-team appearances. In his second season, he scored a superb volley in Panathinaikos' UEFA Champions League
3rd Round Qualifying match, away to Sparta Prague. He continued to impress domestically and in the Champions League proper, notably marking Diego
and nullifying his attacks in Panathinaikos' 3–0 victory against Werder Bremen.
Simão was also included in Tuttosport
's list of the top-rated 40 young footballers in the world, becoming the first player of Mozambique
to achieve this accolade.
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On 20 February 2009, Simão signed a new contract with Panathinaikos which included a higher release clause.
Simão also is among the Top-10 Rising Stars for the UEFA Champions League Competition for the season 2008–2009.
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
currently playing as a defensive midfielder or a central defender for Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
. He is known for his marking.
Career
The young footballer went to GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in the summer of 2007, until then he played for Mozambique side Clube Ferroviário de Maputo
Clube Ferroviário de Maputo
Ferroviário de Maputo, or simply Ferroviário, is a Mozambique football club from Maputo.-History:The club was founded in 1924, as Clube Ferroviário de Lourenço-Marques. In 1976, the club was renamed to Clube Ferroviário de Maputo. In 1982, the club won its first two titles, the Cup of Mozambique,...
. In which he joined at 2003. He underwent a two-weeks trial and eventually he signed a 4 year deal with Panathinaikos FC. Since then he has managed to surprise his coach and the team's fans with his solidness, strength and tenacity. Despite his young age, he has made some first-team appearances and has become a precious solution for his coach Henk ten Cate
Henk ten Cate
Henk ten Cate is a Dutch football manager and a former professional player.In the 2005–06 season, he was the assistant of Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona that guided the team to a Champions League Trophy and La Liga title...
.
Although he was signed in order to play as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, circumstances and teammates' injuries made the team's coach to use Simão as a defensive midfielder, actually the player is established at fans' minds as a midfielder rather than a defender.
Simão has been particularly impressive in the minds of many Panathinaikos supporters which came as a surprise, given his relative anonymity and small transfer cost. His debut season was a great success; Simão made 27 first-team appearances. In his second season, he scored a superb volley in Panathinaikos' UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
3rd Round Qualifying match, away to Sparta Prague. He continued to impress domestically and in the Champions League proper, notably marking Diego
Diego Ribas da Cunha
Diego Ribas da Cunha , commonly known as just Diego, is an international Brazilian footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, as an attacking midfielder.-Santos:...
and nullifying his attacks in Panathinaikos' 3–0 victory against Werder Bremen.
Simão was also included in Tuttosport
Tuttosport
Tuttosport is an Italian sport newspaper published since 30 July 1945.Renato Casalbore founded the newspaper as a bi-weekly. In 1946, it moved to three editions a week, and since 12 March 1951 it has been published daily...
's list of the top-rated 40 young footballers in the world, becoming the first player of Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
to achieve this accolade.
| image =
On 20 February 2009, Simão signed a new contract with Panathinaikos which included a higher release clause.
Simão also is among the Top-10 Rising Stars for the UEFA Champions League Competition for the season 2008–2009.
Panathinaikos
- Super League GreeceSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
: 2010 - Greek Football CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2010