José Luís Vidigal
Encyclopedia
José Luís da Cruz Vidigal (born 15 March 1973) is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
During his extensive professional career, the no-nonsense midfield battler played more years abroad (Italy
, eight) than in his country of adoption (seven), where he represented mainly Sporting.
A Portuguese international
for two years, Vidigal appeared with the national team at Euro 2000, helping it to the third place.
, Vidigal moved to Portugal
at an early age, and started his footballing career with amateurs O Elvas CAD
, moving in 1994 to the second division
, with G.D. Estoril-Praia.
The following year, Vidigal signed with another team from the Lisbon
area, first division powerhouse Sporting Clube de Portugal; after tentative beginnings, he became an essential defensive unit, contributing with a career-best - in Portugal - 32 matches, as the Lions won they first title in 18 years.
, where he would remain the following eight years: he started out with S.S.C. Napoli
, having signed along Sporting teammates Facundo Quiroga
and Abdelilah Saber
, but only played in four league
matches in his first year, and the club was relegated (his best individual year - 33 matches, five goals - was incidentally spent in the second division, but Napoli faced another relegation, eventually ending 16th).
In 2003–04, Napoli finished higher, but the Campania
side was finally relegated off the pitch. Upon this, Vidigal moved to A.S. Livorno Calcio
, starting throughout most of the season, and helping the club to a comfortable 9th position.
In his final three years, Vidigal was irregularly used, often from the bench, representing Udinese Calcio
(one year) and returning to Livorno until 2008 in Italy
.
-based club was also immerse in a severe financial crisis - eventually being relegated from the top flight to the third level
; he retired from the game shortly after.
, his first one being on 23 February 2000, in a 1–1 draw with Belgium at Charleroi
, in a friendly match.
Summoned to UEFA Euro 2000; he had to battle for position with Paulo Bento
and Costinha
(Paulo Sousa
was also called, but was injured), but managed to appear in four matches for the national team, including the semifinal loss against France
.
Vidigal's last match came on 12 October 2002, in the 1–1 draw with Tunisia
, at Lisbon
, in another friendly. He also represented the nation at the 1996 Summer Olympics
.
, Lito (whom represented Angola
internationally), Toni
and Jorge
.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
During his extensive professional career, the no-nonsense midfield battler played more years abroad (Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, eight) than in his country of adoption (seven), where he represented mainly Sporting.
A Portuguese international
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
for two years, Vidigal appeared with the national team at Euro 2000, helping it to the third place.
Early years / Sporting
Born in Sá da BandeiraLuanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
, Vidigal moved to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
at an early age, and started his footballing career with amateurs O Elvas CAD
O Elvas C.A.D.
O Elvas Clube Alentejano de Desportos is a football club based in Portalegre, Alentejo. It was founded in 1947 when the team S.L. Elvas and S.C. Elvas fused. Sport Lisboa e Elvas and O Elvas C.A.D. spent several years in the Portuguese Liga, the main tier in the Portuguese football league system...
, moving in 1994 to the second division
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
, with G.D. Estoril-Praia.
The following year, Vidigal signed with another team from the Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
area, first division powerhouse Sporting Clube de Portugal; after tentative beginnings, he became an essential defensive unit, contributing with a career-best - in Portugal - 32 matches, as the Lions won they first title in 18 years.
Italy spell
At 27, Vidigal moved to ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, where he would remain the following eight years: he started out with S.S.C. Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
, having signed along Sporting teammates Facundo Quiroga
Facundo Hernán Quiroga
Facundo Hernán Quiroga is an Argentine footballer who plays for Club Atlético All Boys in the Argentine first division. Mainly a central defender, he can also play in the right flank.-Club career:...
and Abdelilah Saber
Abdelilah Saber
Abdelilah Saber is a retired Moroccan footballer who played as a right defender.-Club career:Born in Casablanca, Saber played his first professional years with local Wydad Athletic Club...
, but only played in four league
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
matches in his first year, and the club was relegated (his best individual year - 33 matches, five goals - was incidentally spent in the second division, but Napoli faced another relegation, eventually ending 16th).
In 2003–04, Napoli finished higher, but the Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
side was finally relegated off the pitch. Upon this, Vidigal moved to A.S. Livorno Calcio
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, starting throughout most of the season, and helping the club to a comfortable 9th position.
In his final three years, Vidigal was irregularly used, often from the bench, representing Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
(one year) and returning to Livorno until 2008 in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Return to Portugal
Vidigal returned to his country aged 35, joining modest C.F. Estrela da Amadora, where his older brother Lito was coach. In his first game, on 28 September 2008, he scored twice to help beat C.D. Nacional 2–1; however, he missed most of the season due to injury, as the LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
-based club was also immerse in a severe financial crisis - eventually being relegated from the top flight to the third level
Portuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
; he retired from the game shortly after.
International career
Vidigal gained 15 caps for PortugalPortugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, his first one being on 23 February 2000, in a 1–1 draw with Belgium at Charleroi
Charleroi
Charleroi is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. , the total population of Charleroi was 201,593. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of and had a total population of 522,522 as of 1 January 2008, ranking it as...
, in a friendly match.
Summoned to UEFA Euro 2000; he had to battle for position with Paulo Bento
Paulo Bento
Paulo Jorge Gomes Bento is a retired Portuguese footballer, and the current manager of Portugal.A defensive midfielder with tackling ability and workrate as his main assets, he played for two of the major three teams in his country, also playing four years in Spain...
and Costinha
Costinha
Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa, OIH , aka Costinha , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
(Paulo Sousa
Paulo Sousa
Paulo Manuel Carvalho de Sousa, CavIH is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a current manager.He was a member of the “Portuguese Golden Generation”...
was also called, but was injured), but managed to appear in four matches for the national team, including the semifinal loss against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
Vidigal's last match came on 12 October 2002, in the 1–1 draw with Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
, at Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, in another friendly. He also represented the nation at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia....
.
Personal life
Vidigal is the second of five children, all of his brothers also being footballers: BetoBeto Vidigal
Norberto 'Beto' Deolindo Vidigal is a retired Angolan professional football midfielder and coach.-Football career:During 20 seasons, Vidigal played for five clubs...
, Lito (whom represented Angola
Angola national football team
The Angola national football team, nicknamed Palancas Negras , is the national team of Angola and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Futebol. Angola reached 45th in the FIFA Rankings in July 2002...
internationally), Toni
Toni Vidigal
António 'Toni' Leonel Vidigal is a retired Portuguese professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.-Football career:...
and Jorge
Jorge Filipe Vidigal
Jorge Filipe Vidigal is an Angolan footballer who plays for Clube Recreativo da Caála as a right defender.-Football career:...
.