Simão Sabrosa facts for kids
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Simão in 2018
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Simão Pedro da Fonseca Sabrosa | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 31 October 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Constantim, Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Winger | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1992 | Diogo Cão | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1997 | Sporting CP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Sporting CP | 53 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Barcelona | 46 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2007 | Benfica | 172 | (75) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Atlético Madrid | 113 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Beşiktaş | 46 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2014 | Espanyol | 60 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | NorthEast United | 10 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 500 | (124) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2000 | Portugal U21 | 15 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2010 | Portugal | 85 | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Simão Pedro da Fonseca Sabrosa (born 31 October 1979), known simply as Simão, is a Portuguese former professional footballer. He mostly played as a left winger. Simão was known for his amazing dribbling and set piece skills.
He played for some of the biggest teams in Portugal, like Benfica and Sporting. Simão also spent many years playing in Spain, especially for Atlético Madrid. He helped Benfica win the Portuguese league in 2005. With Atlético Madrid, he won the Europa League in 2010.
Simão played for the Portuguese national team for 12 years. He took part in two World Cups and two European Championships. He helped Portugal finish second at Euro 2004. He also helped them reach the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.
Contents
Playing Career
Early Years at Sporting
Simão started his football journey at Sporting CP in Portugal. He joined their youth system, which was famous for training great players. He played his first game for the main team when he was just 17 years old. During his two years at Sporting, he played 62 games.
Time at Barcelona
In 1999, Simão moved to FC Barcelona in Spain. He played alongside another famous Portuguese player, Luís Figo. In his first year, Barcelona finished second in the Spanish league. After two years, Simão decided he wanted to return to Portugal.
Becoming a Star at Benfica
In 2001, Simão joined S.L. Benfica, a big rival of Sporting. He quickly became a favorite among the fans. He was even made captain of the team. For six years, he was always Benfica's top goal scorer. In the 2002–03 season, he scored 18 goals, which was his best ever.
In 2004, Simão helped Benfica win the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup). This was their first trophy in eight years! The next year, in 2004–05, Benfica won the national championship. Simão played in every game and scored 15 goals. He also played well in the UEFA Cup, scoring four goals.
In 2005–06, Simão helped Benfica reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. He scored a fantastic free kick against Manchester United. He also scored a powerful shot against Liverpool to help his team win.
Success with Atlético Madrid
On 26 July 2007, Simão moved to Atlético Madrid in Spain. He quickly became a key player for the team. In his first two seasons, he scored seven goals each year. Atlético Madrid finished fourth in the league both times.
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In 2009, Simão became one of Atlético's captains. In 2010, he scored two goals in a cup match against Recreativo de Huelva. He also scored an important goal in the UEFA Europa League against Galatasaray. Atlético Madrid went on to win the Europa League that year, and Simão played in the final. He also helped his team win the UEFA Super Cup in 2010.
Moving to Beşiktaş and Espanyol
In December 2010, Simão joined Süper Lig team Beşiktaş JK in Turkey. He reunited with his Portuguese teammates Hugo Almeida and Ricardo Quaresma. In May 2011, he scored the winning penalty in a penalty shootout to help Beşiktaş win the Turkish Cup.
Simão then moved back to Spain in August 2012, joining RCD Espanyol. He played for two seasons before leaving the club in 2014.
Playing in India
In 2015, Simão signed with Indian Super League club NorthEast United FC. He was a "marquee player," meaning he was a big star for the team. He even captained the team in his first friendly match. Simão scored his first goal for the team from a penalty kick. He also scored a free kick and another penalty goal in later games.
After Retirement
After he stopped playing football, Simão returned to Benfica in 2017. He was given a job as the head of international relations for the club.
International Career
Youth and Early Senior Career
Simão started playing for Portugal's youth teams. He won the UEFA European Under-16 Championship in 1996. He made his first appearance for the main Portugal team when he was just 19 years old. He even scored a goal in his debut game in 1998.
Major Tournaments
Simão played for Portugal in Euro 2004, which Portugal hosted. They finished in second place. In the quarter-finals against England, Simão came on as a substitute. He helped set up a goal that tied the game, leading to a penalty shootout. Simão scored his penalty, and Portugal won!
He was also chosen for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Portugal finished fourth in this tournament. Simão scored one goal in a group stage match against Mexico. Again, in the quarter-finals, Portugal faced England in a penalty shootout. Simão scored his penalty, helping Portugal win again.
Simão played in Euro 2008, where Portugal was knocked out by Germany. He was also the top scorer for Portugal in the qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup. In the World Cup finals in South Africa, Simão scored a goal in a big 7–0 win against North Korea.
In August 2010, Simão decided to stop playing for the national team. He had played 85 games for Portugal and scored 22 goals.
Life Outside Football
Family Life
Simão was married to Filipa Valente for ten years. They had a daughter and a son together. Later, he had another son with Vanessa Rebelo. In 2009, Simão went to help search for his nephew, Diogo, who was sadly reported missing and later confirmed to have drowned.
Other Activities
Simão has also been involved in other projects. He released a DVD called How to Make a Champion. He also appeared on the cover of the Portuguese version of the video game FIFA 10. In 2016, he started working as a football expert and interviewer for a TV channel called Sport TV HD.
Honours and Achievements
Simão won many trophies and awards during his career.
Team Trophies
- Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2004–05
- Taça de Portugal: 2003–04
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2005
- Atlético Madrid
- UEFA Europa League: 2009–10
- UEFA Super Cup: 2010
- Beşiktaş
- Turkish Cup: 2010–11
- Portugal
- UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1996
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2004
Individual Awards
- Bola de Prata (Top Scorer in Portuguese League): 2002–03
- LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2006–07
- Cosme Damião Awards – Footballer of the Year: 2006
- CNID Best Portuguese Athlete Abroad: 2010
Images for kids
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Simão in 2018
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Simão (right) speaking with referee Frank De Bleeckere during a match for Atlético Madrid
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Simão in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Denmark
See also
In Spanish: Simão Sabrosa para niños
