Adolfo Calisto Explained

Adolfo Calisto
Full Name:Adolfo António da Luz Calisto
Birth Date:1944 1, df=y
Birth Place:Barreiro, Portugal
Position:Left-back
Years1:1960–1962
Clubs1:Barreirense
Years2:1965–1975
Clubs2:Benfica
Caps2:300
Goals2:5
Years3:1975–1976
Clubs3:União Montemor
Years4:1976–1977
Clubs4:Portimonense
Nationalyears1:1971–1973
Nationalteam1:Portugal
Nationalcaps1:15
Nationalgoals1:1
Manageryears1:1982–1993
Managerclubs1:CD Alcains
Managerclubs2:Benfica de C. Branco

Adolfo António da Luz Calisto (1 January 1944 – 29 August 2024), simply known as Adolfo, was a Portuguese footballer who played left back and was one of the top players for Benfica and the Portugal national team during the 1960s and 1970s.

Career

Born in Barreiro, Portugal, he first attracted attention for his local team of Barreirense, (1960–1962 and 1963–1966), and for Seixal (1962–1963). After that he moved to Benfica, where he played from 1965–66 to 1974–75. He then played for União Montemor (1975–1976) and Portimonense (1976–1977), before ending his career at age 33. He won six championships, and was part of the Benfica squad that reached the 1968 European Cup final. As a Benfica player he achieved the nickname of "Barreiro locomotiv", he was the first wing defender doing the entire corridor.

He had 15 caps for the Portugal national team, scoring 1 goal, and played with the team that reached second place at the Brazil Independence Cup final in 1972, losing only in an epic final with Brazil (1–0), being considered the best wing left defender that year. The Portuguese team, which was largely composed of Benfica players, including veterans Eusébio and Jaime Graça, and youngsters Humberto Coelho and Jordão, lost the final only at the 89th minute, when Jairzinho finally scored.

Death

Adolfo died on 29 August 2024, at the age of 80.[1]

Career statistics

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Calisto goal.

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Honours

Benfica

1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75[2]

[3] 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72

Runner-up 1967–68

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Morreu Adolfo, ex-jogador do Benfica e da Seleção Nacional . 29 August 2024 . CM . 29 August 2024.
  2. April–June 2017. Especial 'Tetra'. 'Tetra' special edition. Portuguese. Mística. Portugal. Impresa Publishing. 33. 82. 3846-0823.
  3. May 2015. Bicampeões para a história. Back-to-back champions for the ages. pt. Visão. Portugal. Impresa Publishing. 52. 0872-3540.