Nuno Valente

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Nuno Jorge Pereira da Silva Valente, OIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈnunu vɐˈlẽt(ɨ)]; born 12 September 1974 in Lisbon) is a former Portuguese footballer.

[edit] Club career

Valente began his career at second division club Portimonense Sporting Clube, loaned by Sporting Clube de Portugal. However, he found first team chances limited in the capital outfit and, despite success in helping win the Portuguese Cup in 1995, he was loaned for 1996–97 to fellow league side Club Sport Marítimo.

A young José Mourinho recognized Valente's talent and brought him to his then club, União de Leiria. He spent three years at Leiria, helping the club achieve successful seasons. In 2002, when Mourinho left to join F.C. Porto, Valente and teammate Derlei were the first signings made by the coach. Valente repaid Mourinho's faith in him with some good displays as Porto romped to victory in the national league, and won the UEFA Cup against Celtic (3-2).

The following season, Valente produced yet another excellent season, helping his club to domestic championship and Champions League wins, as the defender appeared in 11 games during that run, 10 of those complete. At the season's closure, he renewed his contract until 2007.^[1]

After Mourinho left for Chelsea, Valente picked up a succession of injuries.^[2][3]In total he only played eight games in the entire domestic season, but returned in time to face Internazionale in the Champions League quarterfinal, but could not prevent his team losing 4-2 on aggregate.

After another poor season, which included an ultimatum by Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa that ordered him to choose between club or national team, eventually leading to a suspension, he was signed by Everton on a three-year deal worth €2.2 million,^[4]under recommendation of mentor Mourinho, at the end of August 2005, after the Merseyside club lost regular left-back Alessandro Pistone to injury. Valente took a while to adapt to the hectic pace of the Premiership, but soon became a key feature in the Everton side from then on. In the 2005–06 and 06–07 seasons he was considered first-choice, but faced stiff competition from Scotsman Gary Naysmith. In February 2007, Everton took the option of a one-year extension to Valente's contract, tying him to the club until 2008.^[5]

In May 2008, Valente signed another one-year link,^[6]but would fall down the pecking order at Everton, usually backing Leighton Baines; furthermore, with centre back Joleon Lescott also being able to play the position, he received little playing time during 2008-09. Valente was released by Everton on 12 June 2009 and chose to retire from playing.

[edit] International career

A full international since after the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Valente was first-choice for the national side during the runner-up campaign at UEFA Euro 2004, in home soil.

During 2005, he suffered a thigh strain, but recovered in time to play in the 2006 World Cup, again playing a key part in Portugal's eventual fourth-place finish.

After playing only once during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Valente retired from international football, in September 2008.^[7]

[edit] Club statistics

[edit] Honours

• UEFA Champions League: 2003-04
• UEFA Cup: 2002-03
• Intercontinental Cup: 2004
• Portuguese League: 2002-03, 2003-04
• Portuguese Cup: 2002-03
• Portuguese Supercup: 2002, 2003

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Nuno Valente career stats at Soccerbase

v • d • e Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2004 Runners-up 1 Ricardo • 2 Ferreira • 3 Rui Jorge • 4 Andrade • 5 Couto • 6 Costinha • 7 Figo • 8 Petit • 9 Pauleta • 10 R. Costa • 11 Simão • 12 Quim • 13 Miguel • 14 Valente • 15 Beto • 16 Carvalho • 17 Ronaldo • 18 Maniche • 19 Tiago • 20 Deco • 21 Nuno Gomes • 22 Moreira • 23 Postiga • Coach: Scolari

v • d • e Portugal squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place 1 Ricardo • 2 Ferreira • 3 Caneira • 4 Costa • 5 Meira • 6 Costinha • 7 Figo • 8 Petit • 9 Pauleta • 10 Viana • 11 Simão • 12 Quim • 13 Miguel • 14 Valente • 15 Boa Morte • 16 Carvalho • 17 Ronaldo • 18 Maniche • 19 Tiago • 20 Deco • 21 Nuno Gomes • 22 Santos • 23 Postiga • Coach: Scolari