PORTUGAL LEGEND
Simao
Midfield
Portugal
Simao about playing in the Legends Charity Game
"Whether playing for Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, or the national team, Portuguese football has always had a special place in my heart. There’s nothing quite like representing your country and hearing the roar of your people – it hits differently. So when SBC invited me to represent Portugal in the Legends Charity Game, it was an easy yes. To play in front of a global audience while raising money for such vital causes is both an honour and a privilege. And of course, I’ll be hoping to help deliver another win for Portugal."
About
The Portuguese attacker played at the top level across multiple countries, featuring for some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Known for his attacking versatility and technique, he won league titles, European trophies and also reached the final of Euro 2004 with Portugal, with whom he enjoyed a long international career. Playing for Barcelona, Benfica, Sporting and Atletico Madrid demonstrate the high level he featured at for most of his career and he retired in 2015 after an 18-year professional career.
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
International Level
Having helped to win the U16 Euros, he then rose through the U18 and then U21 side ranks, before making his full debut at 19. He featured in three matches at Euro 2004, as Portugal lost surprisingly to Greece in the final. One of those included an assist against England in the heated victory. After that, he featured at the World Cup in 2006 and 2010 as well as at Euro 2008.
Club Level
At Benfica, he earned three trophies winning the league, cup and Portuguese super cup from 2003-2005 before then earning two trophies at Atletico Madrid, winning the Europa League alongside the likes of Radamel Falcao. The Spanish side then won the Super Cup and also lost in the Spanish Cup final all within a year. After that, he earned the Turkish Cup at Besiktas.
Personal Honours
With six trophies, 85 caps for his country and a runner-up medal at Euro 2004 and he was awarded the best player in the Portuguese league in 2007 after a stellar year. Between 2001-2005, he was at his peak netting 56 goals in the league across those four seasons, whilst also managing 24 assists.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Portugal (1998-2010)
85/22
CLUB HISTORY
Sporting (1997-1999) 53 apps, 12 goals
Barcelona (1999-2001) 46 apps, 3 goals
Benfica (2001-2007) 172 apps, 75 goals
Atletico Madrid (2007-2010) 113 apps, 20 goals
Besiktas (2011-2012) 46 apps, 8 goals
Espanyol (2012-2014) 60 apps, 3 goals
North East United (2015) 10 apps, 3 goals