Miguel Monteiro

Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro (born 4 January 1980), known simply as Miguel, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a right-back or a winger.

He spent the vast majority of his career with Benfica (five seasons) and Valencia (seven), appearing in roughly 200 official matches for both clubs and winning four major titles.

Miguel earned 59 caps for Portugal in the 2000s and represented the country at two World Cups and as many European Championships.

Early years and Benfica
Born in Lisbon of Bissau-Guinean and Cape Verdean descent, Miguel started his senior career with local C.F. Estrela da Amadora as a winger, having previously spent five years at Sporting CP's youth system and being released for being too short. On 30 April 1999, he made his first-team debut by playing 17 minutes in a 2–1 away loss against Boavista FC, then added 28 Primeira Liga appearances in his only full season as the capital club retained its top-division status.

Miguel moved to S.L. Benfica in summer 2000, making the transition to right midfielder and then right-back (by the hand of former Benfica player Fernando Chalana, in his only game as a transition coach) – the position that ultimately brought him international recognition. In the 2004–05 campaign, he contributed 22 matches and two goals to a national championship conquest after an 11-year wait.

Valencia
Miguel joined Valencia CF in August 2005, for a €7.5 million fee. Fully established as first choice, he signed a new five-year deal in September 2007, and helped the Che to win the Copa del Rey the following year, playing in the final 3–1 win against Getafe CF.

In 2009–10, Miguel was challenged by new signing Bruno. He still appeared in 25 matches as Valencia finished third and returned to the UEFA Champions League.

In May 2012, following several occasions where he displayed unprofessional behaviour,  Miguel's contract expired and he was released. In 2014, he started practising with the SJPF (syndicate of professional football players) alongside other unemployed players to regain fitness.

International career
A Portugal international since making his debut against Italy on 12 February 2003, Miguel was a member of the squad when the country hosted UEFA Euro 2004. Initially a backup to Paulo Ferreira, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made him the starting right-back in a reorganised defence after a 2–1 loss to Greece in the opening game; he withdrew injured in the first half of the final, a 1–0 defeat to the same team.

Miguel started every match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup before going off with an injury in the 1–0 semi-final loss against France. He backed up José Bosingwa in Euro 2008, and only appeared in the 2–0 group stage defeat to co-hosts Switzerland.

Picked for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – in spite of an irregular season at Valencia – Miguel was one of three right-backs used during Portugal's four games in the competition, appearing in the group stage 7–0 win over North Korea. In September 2010, the 30-year-old announced his retirement from international duty.

Club
 ? Information not available

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

Orders

 * PRT Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Vila Vicosa Cavaleiro ribbon.svg Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)