Toni Vidigal Explained

Toni Vidigal
Fullname:António Leonel Vidigal
Birth Date:1 March 1975
Birth Place:Elvas, Portugal
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1988–1992
Youthclubs1:O Elvas
Years1:1992–1994
Caps1:66
Goals1:4
Years2:1994–1999
Caps2:87
Goals2:11
Years3:1995–1996
Clubs3:Vitória Setúbal (loan)
Caps3:23
Goals3:2
Years4:1999–2000
Caps4:29
Goals4:2
Years5:2000–2004
Caps5:85
Goals5:6
Years6:2004–2006
Caps6:34
Goals6:6
Years7:2006–2009
Years8:2009–2010
Clubs8:Sintra Football

António 'Toni' Leonel Vidigal (born 1 March 1975) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Career

Born in Elvas, Portalegre District, Vidigal made his senior debut at only 16, with O Elvas C.A.D. in the third division. In 1994 he signed for G.D. Estoril Praia in the Segunda Liga, going on to remain the following seven years at that level, also representing Vitória de Setúbal, F.C. Penafiel and Varzim SC, achieving Primeira Liga promotion with the latter in 2001.[1]

After two seasons with Varzim in the top flight (45 games, one goal) and a third in division two, Vidigal joined third-tier C.D. Portosantense.[2] Aged 31, he returned to his first senior club, now in the fourth division, closing out his career in 2010 after a brief spell with amateurs Club Sintra Football.[3]

Personal life

Vidigal had four brothers who were also footballers (from a total of 13 siblings): Beto, Luís, Lito and Jorge. The second represented Portugal internationally, whilst the third opted to appear for Angola;[1] [4] [5] his nephew, André, was also involved in the sport professionally.[6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Irmãos Vidigal ignoram os genes para manterem o Estrela da Amadora no topo. The Vidigal brothers ignore the genes to keep Estrela da Amadora on top. Público. Portuguese. 13 October 2008. 19 May 2017.
  2. Web site: Toni Vidigal não esquece o Varzim e a Póvoa. Toni Vidigal does not forget Varzim and Póvoa. Varzim S.C.. Portuguese. 19 May 2017.
  3. Web site: Entrevista a Toni Vidigal. Interview to Toni Vidigal. Futebol Portugal. Portuguese. 27 July 2015. 19 May 2017.
  4. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/One-family-two-nations-Jerome-and-Kevin-Prince-Boateng-and-10-other-brothers-who-have-played-for-different-international-teams-article486903.html One family, two nations: Brothers who have played for different international teams
  5. http://www.sporting.pt/Noticias/Futebol/Fut_Prof/notfutprof_futentvidigal_261211_85764.asp Luís Vidigal: "O Sporting é paixão, é acreditar" (Luís Vidigal: "Sporting is about passion, believing")
  6. Web site: Sobrinho de Luís e Lito Vidigal comprado pelo Fortuna Sittard. Nephew of Luís and Lito Vidigal bought by Fortuna Sittard. Rádio Renascença. Portuguese. 20 December 2017. 9 January 2018.
  7. Web site: André Vidigal. Jupiler League. Dutch. 2 January 2018.