Miguel Arcanjo
Encyclopedia
Miguel Arcanjo Arsénio de Oliveira (born May 13, 1932) is an Angolan-born former Portuguese
footballer. He played as a central defender
.
with Sporting de Benguela, Arcanjo became one of the most highly sought after football players in the European league.
In 1950, he signed a professional contract to play with Futebol Club do Porto (FCP) in Portugal, making him the first African player in the history of FCP.
During a lengthy ship ride from Angola to Portugal, he developed an eye infection that almost ended his soccer career.
The following summer of 1951, retina surgery saved Arcanjo from blindness and increased his chances of playing professional once again. Arcanjo was the driving force behind FCP's success in the 1950s to early '60s and went on to become one of the best players in the club's history.
Arcanjo gained 9 caps
for Portugal
. After establishing himself as the best defender in Portugal, he made his debut on 26 May 1957 in Lisbon
against Italy
, in a 3-0 victory.
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. He played as a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Football career
After playing professionally in AngolaAngola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
with Sporting de Benguela, Arcanjo became one of the most highly sought after football players in the European league.
In 1950, he signed a professional contract to play with Futebol Club do Porto (FCP) in Portugal, making him the first African player in the history of FCP.
During a lengthy ship ride from Angola to Portugal, he developed an eye infection that almost ended his soccer career.
The following summer of 1951, retina surgery saved Arcanjo from blindness and increased his chances of playing professional once again. Arcanjo was the driving force behind FCP's success in the 1950s to early '60s and went on to become one of the best players in the club's history.
Arcanjo gained 9 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Portugal
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...
. After establishing himself as the best defender in Portugal, he made his debut on 26 May 1957 in 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...
against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, in a 3-0 victory.