Nuno Gomes

Portuguese footballer (born 1976) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nuno Miguel Soares Pereira Ribeiro OIH (born 5 July 1976), known as Nuno Gomes, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Full name Nuno Miguel Soares Pereira Ribeiro[1]
Date of birth (1976-07-05) 5 July 1976 (age 50)[2]
Place of birth Amarante, Portugal
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Nuno Gomes
Gomes in 2017
Personal information
Full name Nuno Miguel Soares Pereira Ribeiro[1]
Date of birth (1976-07-05) 5 July 1976 (age 50)[2]
Place of birth Amarante, Portugal
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position Striker
Youth career
1987–1990 Amarante
1990–1994 Boavista
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1997 Boavista 79 (23)
1997–2000 Benfica 101 (60)
2000–2002 Fiorentina 53 (14)
2002–2011 Benfica 193 (65)
2011–2012 Braga 20 (6)
2012–2013 Blackburn Rovers 18 (4)
Total 464 (172)
International career
1990 Portugal U15 3 (3)
1991–1992 Portugal U16 9 (4)
1992–1993 Portugal U17 5 (2)
1993–1994 Portugal U18 15 (5)
1995–1996 Portugal U20 13 (9)
1995–1997 Portugal U21 14 (5)
1996 Portugal U23 5 (1)
1996–2011 Portugal 79 (29)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up2004 Portugal
Bronze medal – third place2000 Belgium-Netherlands
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Third place1995 Qatar
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
Close

He was given the nickname Gomes during childhood after Fernando Gomes,[3] and was regarded as one of the country's most recognisable attacking players in the 1990s and 2000s; he consistently scored for both club and country, and was also capable of being a good link-up player, accumulating a number of assists throughout his career,[4] which was spent mainly with Benfica, for which he netted 166 goals in 398 games over the course of 12 seasons.[5][6]

Gomes represented Portugal in two World Cups and three European Championships. He helped the national team finish second at Euro 2004 and third at Euro 2000, and won 79 senior caps.[7]

Club career

Boavista and Benfica

Born in Amarante, Gomes established his reputation with Boavista, where he made his Primeira Liga debut in the 1994–95 season, aged 18.[8] He collected his first silverware as his team beat Benfica to lift the Taça de Portugal in 1997, scoring a goal and winning a penalty kick in a 3–2 win in the final; he and fellow scorer Erwin Sánchez had already agreed to transfer to the opponents.[9]

Gomes ranked joint-fourth top scorer in his last year at the Estádio do Bessa, before moving to Benfica. In the 1998–99 campaign he netted 34 times in all competitions, in an eventual third-place finish in the league.[10]

Fiorentina

After three seasons at Benfica, his Euro 2000 exploits earned Gomes a €17 million move to Fiorentina. He won the Coppa Italia over Parma in his first year, scoring in a 1–1 draw in the second leg of the final at home, which allowed his team to clinch the title 2–1 on aggregate;[11] however, his second season was less successful, as financial collapse by the Viola and their subsequent relegation precipitated a 2002 return to his previous club on a four-year deal as a free agent.[12][13][14]

Return to Benfica

A series of injuries limited Gomes to under 70 games from 2002 to 2005,[15][16] but he still helped Benfica win the domestic cup in 2003–04 and the league the following season – in the latter, he contributed seven goals from 23 appearances.[17] He enjoyed his best season in 2005–06, scoring 15 goals in the league, including two in an away win over Porto (2–0)[18] and a hat-trick against União de Leiria,[10] finishing second in the scorers' list and adding the subsequent Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, where he netted the game's only goal against Vitória de Setúbal.[19]

Gomes celebrating a goal for Benfica in 2007

From 2006–07 onwards, Gomes faced tough competition for a starting place: he only netted six times in the league, and would suffer even more after the signing of Paraguayan Óscar Cardozo the following summer. However, still a valuable member of the squad, he finished the campaign with nine overall goals, handing the captain armband to legendary Rui Costa in the process.[20]

On 2 October 2008, Gomes scored his 150th goal for Benfica in a UEFA Cup game against Napoli (2–0 home win, 4–3 aggregate victory) with a fine header.[21] Following the arrival of Argentine Javier Saviola in June 2009, he further fell down the striker pecking order.[22]

Again a reserve player in 2010–11 – but playing even less – the 34-year-old Gomes made the most with the minutes provided to him by manager Jorge Jesus. He scored his first goal in the season on 14 November 2010 in a 4–0 home defeat of Naval, the 200th in the competition,[23] and dedicated it to his father Joaquim who had died in August.[24] In two consecutive league games in March 2011, he scored three goals, one at home against Portimonense (1–1 draw)[25] and two in a 5–1 away rout of Paços de Ferreira, appearing as a late substitute in all three matches.[26]

Braga

Gomes was released by Benfica on 30 June 2011, after the club decided not to renew his contract; he was, however, offered a position in the managerial structure, effective immediately or when he eventually retired.[27][28] Shortly after, he signed with fellow top-division Braga.[29]

On 11 September 2011, Gomes scored a brace in a 3–1 home win against Gil Vicente.[30] During his only season with the Minho side, he was mostly used as a backup.[31]

Blackburn Rovers

On 3 July 2012, Gomes signed a two-year deal at Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship, becoming their third signing of the 2012–13 summer transfer window.[32] On 18 August he made his league debut for his new club, against Ipswich Town,[33] scoring his first goal the following round in the 2–1 home victory over Leicester City.[34]

On 28 June 2013, aged 36, Gomes was released.[35] After retiring, he was appointed director of Benfica's academy at Futebol Campus in Seixal, leaving his position in September 2017.[36]

International career

Gomes represented Portugal at every level, earning 143 caps across all youth levels and scoring at an excellent rate.[37] He helped the under-20s to third place in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship by netting four goals in as many games, including two in the third-place match against Spain.[38] The following year, he appeared at the 1996 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth.[39]

Gomes made his senior debut at 19, in a 1996 friendly against France. He scored his first goal in Portugal's opening match at the UEFA Euro 2000, marking his fourth start with the winner as the side came from two goals down to beat England 3–2.[40] He finished the competition with four goals as the national team reached the last four, but earned a seven-month international ban after pushing referee Günter Benkö following the semi-final defeat by France, in which he had opened the score;[41] he was selected to the UEFA team of the tournament.[42]

With seven goals in only six matches, Gomes helped Portugal qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup – this included four in a 7–1 away demolition of Andorra.[43] He would struggle to hold a starting place in the finals in South Korea and Japan, only appearing twice from the bench. On 19 November 2003 he scored his second hat-trick, in only 21 minutes of play against Kuwait.[44]

Things went better for Gomes at Euro 2004, where he played each game and, after coming on as a half-time substitute, scored the winning goal against Spain to send the hosts through to the quarter-finals.[45] He was often injured during the nation's 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, only managing to play four times, with one goal; he found limited time at the final stages and only made two appearances, but managed to find the back of the net with a header against hosts Germany in the third-place playoff, a 3–1 defeat.[46]

After the retirement of Pauleta, Gomes was expected to become his successor in the striker role. He played ten matches and scored three times in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, captained Portugal at the finals and scored against Germany in the quarter-finals, thus becoming the fourth player to achieve the feat at three straight European Championships.[47]

Following the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as coach, Gomes was constantly overlooked due to his lack of minutes at Benfica. During the 2010 World Cup qualification, he only took part in four out of 12 fixtures, all as a substitute, with Liédson and Hugo Almeida being preferred; he was one of the 50 preliminary players[48] but was left out of the 23-men squad for the final stages in South Africa, this being the first time the player was left out of a major tournament.[49]

On 7 October 2011, after more than two years out of international play, the 35-year-old Gomes replaced Hélder Postiga in the last minute of a 5–3 home victory over Iceland for the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Four days later, he played against Denmark in what was his last full appearance;[50][51][52] due to little playing time for his club in 2011–12, he was left out of Paulo Bento's squad for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.[53]

Personal life

Gomes in 2016

Gomes' younger brother, Tiago (born 1981), was also a footballer and a striker.[54] He spent most of his career in the lower leagues but, from 2004 to 2007, competed in the Segunda Liga with Marco (two seasons) and Olivais e Moscavide (one), totalling 30 games and one goal.

Gomes was married twice, first to Isméria with whom he had a daughter, Laura, born in 1999. In July 2006 he married lawyer Patrícia Aguilar, with whom he also fathered another child, Nuno, born in July 2010.[55]

He was featured on the cover of the Portuguese edition of FIFA Football 2002.[56]

Career statistics

Club

More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[57][58]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Boavista 1994–95 Primeira Liga 17110–41222
1995–96 Primeira Liga 28721–00308
1996–97 Primeira Liga 341554–624521
Total 792385–1039731
Benfica 1997–98 Primeira Liga 331864–104022
1998–99 Primeira Liga 342423–774334
1999–2000 Primeira Liga 341821–514120
Total 10160108–13812476
Fiorentina 2000–01 Serie A 30934–003313
2001–02 Serie A 23510–623117
Total 531444–626420
Benfica 2002–03 Primeira Liga 28910–00299
2003–04 Primeira Liga 21730–552912
2004–05 Primeira Liga 23752–633412
2005–06 Primeira Liga 291541–80422172
2006–07 Primeira Liga 24633–1444113
2007–08 Primeira Liga 257310081369
2008–09 Primeira Liga 247102161339
2009–10 Primeira Liga 133202061234
2010–11 Primeira Liga 6410110085
Total 1936523752531527590
Braga 2011–12 Primeira Liga 206202050296
Blackburn Rovers 2012–13 Championship 1842000–204
Career total 4641724924728728609227
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1 includes one match in the Supercoppa Italiana.
2 includes one match and one goal in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.

International

More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year[59][60]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal 199610
199720
199820
199930
200094
200199
200271
200333
2004114
200572
200673
200771
200872
200920
201000
201120
Total7929
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Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gomes goal.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Nuno Gomes[61][60]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
112 June 2000Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands England3–23–2UEFA Euro 2000
224 June 2000Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Turkey1–02–0UEFA Euro 2000
324 June 2000Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Turkey2–02–0UEFA Euro 2000
428 June 2000King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium France1–01–2UEFA Euro 2000
51 September 2001Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra Andorra1–07–12002 World Cup qualification
61 September 2001Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra Andorra3–07–12002 World Cup qualification
71 September 2001Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra Andorra5–17–12002 World Cup qualification
81 September 2001Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra Andorra7–17–12002 World Cup qualification
95 September 2001Antonis Papadopoulos, Larnaca, Cyprus Cyprus1–13–12002 World Cup qualification
106 October 2001Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Estonia2–05–02002 World Cup qualification
116 October 2001Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Estonia4–05–02002 World Cup qualification
1214 November 2001Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal Angola2–15–1Friendly
1314 November 2001Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal Angola4–15–1Friendly
1425 May 2002Estádio Campo Desportivo, Macau, China China1–02–0Friendly
1519 November 2003Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal Kuwait6–08–0Friendly
1619 November 2003Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal Kuwait7–08–0Friendly
1719 November 2003Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal Kuwait8–08–0Friendly
1828 April 2004Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Sweden2–22–2Friendly
1929 May 2004Estádio Municipal de Águeda, Águeda Municipality, Portugal Luxembourg2–03–0Friendly
205 May 2004Estádio do Bonfim, Setúbal, Portugal Lithuania3–14–1Friendly
2120 June 2004Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Spain1–01–0UEFA Euro 2004
2226 March 2005Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, Barcelos Municipality, Portugal, Portugal Canada4–14–1Friendly
238 October 2005Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro Municipality, Portugal Liechtenstein2–12–12006 World Cup qualification
248 July 2006Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, Germany Germany1–31–32006 FIFA World Cup
256 September 2006Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland Finland1–11–1Euro 2008 qualifying
2611 October 2006Stadion Śląski, Chorzów, Poland Poland1–21–2Euro 2008 qualifying
2724 March 2007Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Belgium1–04–0Euro 2008 qualifying
2826 March 2008Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany Greece1–21–2Friendly
2919 June 2008St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Germany1–22–3UEFA Euro 2008
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Honours

Boavista

Fiorentina

Benfica

Portugal

Individual

Orders

References

Further reading

External links

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