Jose Moreira

Jose Filipe da Silva Moreira OIH (born 20 March 1982) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He spent most of his career with Benfica, appearing in 148 competitive matches and making his debut at only 19. He also competed in Wales and Cyprus.

Moreira earned 79 caps for Portugal all youth levels comprised, and was called up to the senior team at Euro 2004.

Club Career

Early years

Born in Massarelos, Porto, Moreira preferred to play as an attacking midfielder in his early years but, following the advice of father Jose, soon changed his playing position and took trials for S.C. Salgueiros.

In 1997, at only 15 years of age, Moreira caught the eye of the biggest Portuguese teams — Sporting CP, FC Porto, Boavista F.C. and S.L. Benfica. The latter made the best bid to Salgueiros and won the race to sign the youngster but, due to his young age, decided it was best to keep him at the club for two more years; when he arrived to the Estadio da Luz he was called for a mini-tour with the main squad in the Azores, going on to make his unofficial senior debut.

Benfica

In 1999, Moreira was selected by the Portuguese under–18 coach Agostinho Oliveira for the UEFA European Championship in Sweden, with the national team winning the title. Subsequently, he returned to Benfica, being called by team manager Jupp Heynckes to join the pre-season tour in Austria. At the time, two of the three senior goalkeepers were not available (Carlos Bossio was in Argentina and Nuno Santos was injured, leaving Robert Enke as the only available keeper); without competition for the substitutes bench he was called to sit in for several matches during August and December 1999, but would only play two years later in a home game against Vitoria de Guimaraes, replacing the injured Enke after 24 minutes and delivering a clean sheet on his professional debut (0–0 draw).

This page also has a version in other languages :  Жозе Морейра (russian)