Simao

Simao Pedro Fonseca Sabrosa OIH (born 31 October 1979), known mononymously as Simao (Portuguese pronunciation: [siˈmɐ̃w̃]), is a Portuguese former footballer who played mainly as a left winger, with dribbling and set piece skills as primary attributes.

Having played in his country for two of the three biggest teams in the nation, Benfica and Sporting, he also spent several years of his professional career in Spain, notably with Atletico Madrid. He won the 2004–05 national championship with the first club and the 2010 Europa League with the third, amongst other accolades; he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 225 games and 87 goals over nine seasons, adding 219 La Liga matches and 26 goals in service of Barcelona, Atletico and Espanyol.

Over a 12-year span, Simao represented Portugal in two World Cups and as many European Championships, helping it finish second at Euro 2004 and reach the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Club Career

Sporting

Born in Vila Real, Simao started his career at Sporting CP, whose youth system had just produced Luis Figo.

During his two-year spell he played 62 competitive games with the first team, his first goal coming in his debut at only 17 in a 3–0 away win against S.C. Salgueiros.

Barcelona

Simao moved to FC Barcelona in the 1999 off-season on a £10 million transfer, partnering with Figo in his first year as they finished second in La Liga to Deportivo de La Coruna. On 21 October 2000, in a match remembered for his compatriot's treatment by Barca fans on his return to the Camp Nou in the colours of new team Real Madrid, he scored in a 2–0 El Clasico win.

In 2001, after a comparatively low-key tenure at the Spanish club under manager Louis van Gaal, Simao spoke of his desire for a move back to Sporting.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Симау Саброза (russian)