Manuel António Leitão da Silva (born 29 January 1946), known as Manuel António, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a striker.
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Manuel António Leitão da Silva | ||
Date of birth | (1946-01-29) 29 January 1946 (age 76) | ||
Place of birth | Santo Tirso, Portugal | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Youth career | |||
1961–1963 | Tirsense | ||
1963–1964 | Académica | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1964–1965 | Académica | 26 | (20) |
1965–1968 | Porto | 44 | (30) |
1968–1977 | Académica | 206 | (84) |
1977–1978 | União Leiria | ||
Total | 276 | (134) | |
National team | |||
1969 | Portugal | 4 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 247 matches and 111 goals over 12 seasons, with Académica (two spells) and Porto.
Manuel António was born in Santo Tirso, Porto District. In a 14-year professional career, he played almost exclusively for two teams; having started out at Académica de Coimbra, his excellent performances earned him a transfer – at only 19 – to FC Porto, where he appeared sparingly over three years (still managing to score regularly).[1]
In 1968, Manuel António returned to Académica, being crowned the Primeira Liga's top scorer in the first season in his second spell, with the Students finishing in sixth place.[2] He all but saw out his career eight years later at the same club, still having a further four campaigns in double digits.
Manuel António won four caps for Portugal in eight months, his debut coming on 6 April 1969 in a 0–0 friendly draw against Mexico.[3]
After retiring, Manuel António majored in medicine, being in charge of Coimbra's Portuguese Institute of Oncology for several years.[1]
Bola de Prata winners | |
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