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Vítor Baía facts for kids

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For the many other Portuguese and Brazilian footballers named Vítor, see Vítor.
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Martins and the second or paternal family name is Baía.
Quick facts for kids
Vítor Baía
Vitor baia in 2016.jpg
Baía in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth (1969-10-15) 15 October 1969 (age 55)
Place of birth Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Height 1.84 m
Playing position Goalkeeper
Youth career
Académico Leça
1983–1988 Porto
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1988–1996 Porto 246 (0)
1996–1999 Barcelona 39 (0)
1999 → Porto (loan) 16 (0)
1999–2007 Porto 144 (0)
2001 Porto B 2 (0)
Total 447 (0)
National team
1989–1990 Portugal U21 8 (0)
1990–2002 Portugal 80 (0)
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Vítor Manuel Martins Baía (born 15 October 1969) is a famous Portuguese former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.

Vítor Baía is known as one of the best goalkeepers ever. He spent most of his career with FC Porto. He joined the club when he was a teenager. He helped Porto win 26 different titles. After he stopped playing, he continued to work for the club. He became an "ambassador," representing the team.

He also played for FC Barcelona in Spain. Vítor Baía played for the Portuguese national team too. He took part in two European Championships and the 2002 World Cup.

Club Career: Vítor Baía's Journey

Early Days at Porto

Vítor Baía was born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. He joined FC Porto's youth team when he was 13 years old. This was in 1983. He quickly became a top player.

In 1989, he became the main goalkeeper for Porto. He played for seven seasons without losing his starting spot. During this time, Porto won five league titles. They also won two Taça de Portugal cups. He was amazing, letting in very few goals.

Between 1994 and 1996, he became known worldwide. He was named in the "ESM Team of the Year." He was also ranked among the best goalkeepers by IFFHS. Because of his great play, he was chosen for the Portugal team for UEFA Euro 1996. After this tournament, he moved to Spain. He joined FC Barcelona for a record fee for a goalkeeper.

Playing for Barcelona

Vítor Baía played almost every game in his first season with Barcelona. The team finished second in the La Liga (Spanish league). They also won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. This was a big European trophy.

However, he started having knee problems. A new coach, Louis van Gaal, arrived. Vítor Baía was then replaced by another goalkeeper. He was later loaned back to his old club, Porto.

Back Home at Porto

In January 1999, Vítor Baía returned to Porto. His old jersey number 1 was taken. So, he chose number 99 instead. This number became very popular with fans. His return made many fans come to watch games.

But he got injured again in the 1999-2000 season. He needed surgery on his knee. He went back to Barcelona in 2000, but they let him go. He then signed with Porto again.

After a year recovering from injury, he played again in 2001. He played a reserves match first. Then, 16 days later, he played a main game in the cup. After fully recovering, he was chosen for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Winning Big Trophies

Vítor Baía was in great form in the 2002-03 season. He helped Porto win the league title and the cup. They also won the UEFA Cup. He played in 11 of 13 matches in that competition. In the semi-finals, he saved a penalty kick. Porto then won the final against Celtic.

The next season, 2003-04, was even better. He won the UEFA Champions League with Porto. This was his seventh league trophy too. He played every minute of every game in the Champions League. Porto beat AS Monaco FC 3-0 in the final. Because of this, he was named the "UEFA Club Best Goalkeeper of the Year." He was the first Portuguese goalkeeper to win this award.

Even with all these wins, he was not chosen for UEFA Euro 2004. This was a surprise to many. He later said it was "strange" to be the best goalkeeper in Europe but not be called up.

In 2005-06, he started the season as the main goalkeeper. But he later lost his spot to Helton. In his last season, 2006-07, he played only one league game. This was his 700th official game. He retired in 2007, at almost 38 years old.

After retiring, he became a director for Porto. He and Stefano Tacconi are the only goalkeepers to win the three main UEFA club competitions.

Playing for Portugal

Vítor Baía first played for the Portuguese national team on 19 December 1990. He was 21 years old. He played 80 games for Portugal until 2002.

He played in all games at UEFA Euro 1996 and almost all at UEFA Euro 2000. He also played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In Euro 2000, he saved a penalty kick against Turkey in the quarter-finals. Portugal won that game 2-0.

After the 2002 World Cup, the coach was replaced. Vítor Baía, who had been the main goalkeeper for ten years, was no longer chosen for the national team.

Vítor Baía's Life Off the Field

In 2004, Vítor Baía started a charity with his wife. It was named after him. The charity helps children who are not as lucky as others. It also helps teenagers who are having a tough time.

That same year, he gave a pair of his signed gloves. These gloves were put into a special UEFA time capsule. This capsule was buried and will be opened in 50 years.

Vítor Baía wrote his autobiography in 2005. It was called 99 – Vítor Baía. In 2008, he received a special award. The President of Portugal made him an Officer of the Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique. This is a very important honor.

In 2015, EA Sports added Vítor Baía to their FIFA 16 video game. He became one of the "Ultimate Team Legends."

Vítor Baía's Career Numbers

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Porto 1987–88 Primeira Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1988–89 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
1989–90 34 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 40 0
1990–91 38 0 1 0 6 0 3 0 47 0
1991–92 34 0 1 0 4 0 2 0 41 0
1992–93 34 0 2 0 10 0 2 0 48 0
1993–94 32 0 2 0 11 0 3 0 48 0
1994–95 33 0 0 0 6 0 3 0 42 0
1995–96 26 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 33 0
Total 246 0 6 0 49 0 14 0 315 0
Barcelona 1996–97 La Liga 37 0 1 0 8 0 1 0 47 0
1997–98 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 39 0 1 0 9 0 1 0 50 0
Porto 1998–99 Primeira Liga 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
1999–2000 15 0 1 0 9 0 2 0 27 0
2000–01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001–02 17 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
2002–03 25 0 1 0 11 0 0 0 31 0
2003–04 31 0 0 0 13 0 1 0 45 0
2004–05 31 0 0 0 6 0 3 0 40 0
2005–06 24 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 31 0
2006–07 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 160 0 3 0 47 0 6 0 210 0
Career total 445 0 10 0 105 0 21 0 575 0

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 1990 1 0
1991 9 0
1992 7 0
1993 10 0
1994 5 0
1995 6 0
1996 12 0
1997 4 0
1998 6 0
1999 9 0
2000 6 0
2001 0 0
2002 5 0
Total 80 0

Vítor Baía's Trophies and Awards

Porto

  • Primeira Liga: 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07
  • Taca de Portugal: 1990–91, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2002–03, 2005–06
  • Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006
  • UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
  • UEFA Cup: 2002–03
  • Intercontinental Cup: 2004

Barcelona

Individual

  • Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 1989, 1991
  • Portuguese Golden Ball: 1992
  • ESM Team of the Year: 1994–95
  • UEFA Club Best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2003–04
  • Best European Goalkeeper: 2004

Orders

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vítor Baía para niños

  • List of players to have won the three main European club competitions
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