Luciano Fernandes Explained

Luciano
Fullname:Luciano Jorge Fernandes
Birth Date:6 August 1940
Birth Place:Olhão, Portugal
Death Place:Lisbon, Portugal
Position:Centre back
Years1:1959–1963
Caps1:44
Goals1:1
Years2:1963–1966
Caps2:33
Goals2:0
Totalcaps:77
Totalgoals:1
Nationalyears1:1961
Nationalteam1:Portugal U21
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0

Luciano Jorge Fernandes (6 August 1940 – 5 December 1966) was a Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Born in Olhão, Algarve, Luciano started out at local club S.C. Olhanense at age 19. His composure and assuredness in possession earned him the nickname Germano II, in honour of S.L. Benfica player Germano.[1] He moved to the latter side in 1963, and coach Lajos Czeizler displayed him in the right-back position until he injured his knee, needing an operation.

Luciano was again bothered by physical problems upon his return, now in the ankle, only returning to full fitness in the 1966–67 season.[2]

Death

On 5 December 1966, Benfica's new hydro massage bath short-circuited with seven players inside, Luciano being the only one immersed. Eusébio, Jaime Graça and Santana escaped with burns, whilst José Carmo Pais, Domiciano Cavém and Amândio Malta da Silva were knocked unconscious until Graça managed to climb out the pool and cut off the power supply; Luciano died immediately at the age of 26, and the team played the rest of the campaign in black, winning the league.[1] [3]

Honours

Benfica[2]

1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67

1963–64

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Misfortune Never Comes Alone – Benfica 1967, Part One. Beyond the Last Man. M.. Craig. 10 April 2013. 7 April 2015.
  2. Book: Tovar, Rui Miguel . Almanaque do Benfica. Lua de Papel . Portugal. 2012. 978-989-23-2087-8 . 309–335.
  3. Web site: Luciano: a morte no Estádio da Luz, numa manhã de dezembro. Luciano: death at the Estádio da Luz, on a December morning. Mais Futebol. pt. 5 December 2013. 7 April 2015.