António Saraiva Explained

Saraiva
Fullname:António da Cruz Pinto Saraiva
Birth Date:3 May 1934
Birth Place:Peso da Régua, Portugal
Death Place:Portimão, Portugal
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1974–1977
Youthclubs1:Benfica
Years1:1954–1955
Clubs1:SC Régua
Years2:1955–1956
Years3:1956–1959
Caps3:74
Goals3:3
Years4:1959–1963
Caps4:29
Goals4:1
Totalcaps:103
Totalgoals:4

António da Cruz Pinto Saraiva (3 May 1934 – 7 May 2018), simply known as Saraiva, was a Portuguese footballer who played as a defender, either in the center or in the right.

Career

Born in Peso da Régua, Saraiva started playing in his hometown club, Sport Club Régua, before moving to S.C. Salgueiros. In 1956, he joined Caldas Sport Clube, drawing the attention of S.L. Benfica, that acquire him in 1959, after Caldas was relegated.

Making his debut on 22 November 1959 at hands of Béla Guttmann, over the course of four seasons, he makes 29 league appearances with one goal. He played his last match for Benfica on 24 March 1963, with Fernando Riera.[1]

Honours

Benfica
1960-61, Runner-up 1961-62

1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63

1961-62

Notes and References

  1. News: Morreu António Saraiva, antigo campeão europeu pelo Benfica. Former European Champion, António Saraiva died today. 8 May 2018. Público. 7 May 2018. Portuguese.