Miguel Monteiro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Miguel

Miguel in action for Valencia in 2006
Personal information
Full name	Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro
Date of birth	(1980-01-04) 4 January 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Lisbon, Portugal
Height	1.75 m
Playing position	Right-back, winger
Youth career
1989–1994	Sporting CP
1994	Alverca
1995	Loures
1995–1996	Olhanense
1996–1999	Estrela Amadora
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Estrela Amadora	32	(0)
2000–2005	Benfica	131	(12)
2002	Benfica B	2	(2)
2005–2012	Valencia	175	(2)
Total		340	(16)
National team
2000–2002	Portugal U21	22	(5)
2003–2010	Portugal	59	(1)
Honours Men's football Representing  Portugal UEFA European Championship 2004 Portugal
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro (born on 4 January 1980), known as Miguel, is a former professional footballer from Portugal. He played as a right-back or a winger.

Miguel spent most of his career with two big clubs: Benfica in Portugal and Valencia in Spain. He played 161 games for Benfica and 239 for Valencia. During his time with these teams, he won four major titles.

He also played for the Portuguese national team 59 times. Miguel represented his country in two World Cups and two European Championships.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Out and Playing for Benfica

Miguel was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He started his football journey in the youth system of Sporting CP. Later, he began his senior career as a winger with C.F. Estrela da Amadora. He made his first team debut on 30 April 1999. In his first full season, he played 28 games in the Primeira Liga.

In 2000, Miguel joined S.L. Benfica. Here, he changed his playing position. He moved from being a right midfielder to a right-back. This new role helped him become known internationally. In the 2004–05 season, he played 22 matches and scored two goals. That year, Benfica won the national championship after 11 years.

Time with Valencia

Miguel moved to Valencia CF in Spain in August 2005. He quickly became the team's main right-back. In September 2007, he signed a new five-year contract. The next year, he helped Valencia win the Copa del Rey. He played in the final match, where Valencia won 3–1 against Getafe CF.

In the 2009–10 season, Miguel played 25 matches. Valencia finished third in the league. This allowed them to return to the UEFA Champions League. His contract with Valencia ended in May 2012.

International Career for Portugal

Miguel became a Portugal international player in 2003. His first game was against Italy on 12 February 2003. He was part of the team when Portugal hosted UEFA Euro 2004. He became the starting right-back during the tournament. However, he got injured in the first half of the final game. Portugal lost 1–0 to Greece.

Miguel played every match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He had to leave the semi-final game against France due to an injury. Portugal lost that game 1–0. He also played in UEFA Euro 2008. He appeared in one group stage game against Switzerland.

He was chosen for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Miguel played in Portugal's 7–0 win over North Korea. In September 2010, at 30 years old, Miguel announced he would no longer play for the national team.

Honours

Benfica

• Primeira Liga: 2004–05
• Taça de Portugal: 2003–04
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2005

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2007–08

Portugal

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2004

Portugal Under-18

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 1999

See also

In Spanish: Luís Miguel Brito para niños