Wikipedia

Fernando Meira

In thisPortuguese name,the first or maternalfamily nameisSilvaand the second or paternal family name isFreitas Meira.

Fernando José da Silva Freitas Meira(Portuguese pronunciation:[fɨɾˈnɐ̃duˈmɐjɾɐ];born 5 June 1978) is a Portuguese former professionalfootballerwho played mainly as acentral defender.

Fernando Meira
Meira in 2009
Personal information
Full name Fernando José da Silva Freitas Meira[1]
Date of birth (1978-06-05)5 June 1978(age 46)[2]
Place of birth Guimarães,Portugal[2]
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back,defensive midfielder
Youth career
1988–1992 Vitória Guimarães
1992–1993 Ribeira de Pena
1993–1996 Vitória Guimarães
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 Vitória Guimarães 53 (2)
1998–1999 →Felgueiras(loan) 33 (0)
2000–2001 Benfica 46 (2)
2002–2008 VfB Stuttgart 173 (11)
2008–2009 Galatasaray 21 (0)
2009–2011 Zenit St. Petersburg 35 (1)
2011–2012 Zaragoza 12 (0)
Total 373 (16)
International career
1997–1998 Portugal U20 14 (0)
1998–2000 Portugal U21 20 (0)
2004 Portugal Olympic(O.P.) 3 (1)
2000–2008 Portugal 54 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

In his country, he represented most notablyVitória de Guimarães,also playing one year withBenfica.After a lengthy spell in Germany withVfB Stuttgart,he went on to appear for teams in Turkey, Russia and Spain.[3]

A strong and skillful defender,[4]Meira played 54 times for thePortugal national team,being part of the squads at the2006 World CupandEuro 2008.

Club career

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Early career and Benfica

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Born inGuimarães,Meira began his professional career with hometown'sVitória Sport Clube,but only had one solid season with its first team, in1999–2000(precisely his last), as he appeared in 30 of his 53 games with theMinhoside. In 1998 he was also loaned, toF.C. Felgueirasof theSegunda Liga,being an essential defensive unit as they narrowly missed out on promotion afterfinishing fifth.[5]

In the summer of 2000, Meira joinedPrimeira LigagiantsS.L. Benficafor a €4 million transfer fee plus one player. He played 31 matches in hisfirst season– 30 starts – and was also awardedteam captaincy,[6]but theLisbonclub did not win any silverware during his stint.

VfB Stuttgart

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In January 2002, Meira signed forVfB Stuttgartin Germany for €7.5 million;[7]it was theBundesligaclub's record transfer fee until July 2007, when they signedCiprian MaricafromFC Shakhtar Donetskfor €8 million,[8]and general managerRolf Rüssmanndescribed the player as a "trophy" signing, showing great ambitions for the future.[9]He made his league debut on the 26th in a 3–0 home win againstHamburger SV,playing the entire game as astopper.[10][11]

Meira scored his first goal for Stuttgart on 23 February 2002, in a 1–1 draw atFC Hansa Rostockwhere he also conceded apenaltywhich resulted in the opponents' goal.[12]His second came on 7 April in a 2–0 away victory overSC Freiburg,[13]and he finished hisfirst yearwith 14 league appearances to help his side finish in eighth position.

In the2002–03 campaign,Felix Magathfielded Meira in 31 league games, only a suspension preventing him from taking part in all the fixtures as they finished second behindFC Bayern Munichto achievequalificationfor theUEFA Champions League.He missed twoUEFA Cupmatches, including the home win againstCelticin theround of 16 second leg,[14]and found the net in the second round's 2–0 home defeat ofFerencvárosi TC.[15]

For2006–07,Meira was named captain by managerArmin Veh,[16]making him the first Portuguese ever to achieve that feat in the Bundesliga.[17]He appeared in 20 games and added three goals as theBaden-Württembergclub was crowned national champions for the first in 15 years,[18]adding four in arunner-up runin theDFB-Pokal.

Over a six-and-a-half-year spell, Meira made 230 competitive appearances and scored 13 goals.[19]He left theGottlieb-Daimler-Stadionin summer 2008, aged 30.

Galatasaray

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On 20 July 2008, at the end of the2007–08 season,Stuttgart stripped Meira of the captaincy and announced their intention to sell the player.[20]Two days later, he agreed to a four-year deal atGalatasaray SKfor €4.5 million.[21][22]

Meira made his official team debut in theTurkish Super Cup,a2–1 winagainstKayserispor,[23]but left Turkey at the end ofthe campaign,with his team only ranking fifth in theSüper Lig.

Zenit

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In mid-March 2009, after reported interest fromFC Zenit Saint Petersburgas the player grew unsettled inIstanbul,[24][25]Meira signed for the Russian club for €4.5 million,[26]being awarded the number 3 shirt previously worn byMartin Škrtel.[27]

He made hisRussian Premier Leaguedebut on 15 March 2009, starting in a 1–1 away draw withFC Spartak Moscow.On 5 April he scored his first goal for his new team, in a 3–0 victory atFC Tom Tomsk.[28]

Later years

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On 15 August 2011, aged 33, Meira joinedReal Zaragozafrom Spain after mutually terminating his contract with Zenit.[29]He made his official debut 13 days later, starting and beingbookedin a 6–0 home loss againstReal Madrid.[30]

In his spell with theAragonese,Meira featured almost exclusively as adefensive midfielder,partneringLeonardo Ponzio.[31][32]He terminated his contract on 1 February 2012, as the side were placed last in the league;[33]later that year, not being able to find a new club, he retired from football.

International career

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After having earned 20capsforthe under-21s,Meira made his full debut forPortugalon 11 October 2000 in a2002 FIFA World Cupqualifieragainst theNetherlands.[34]In2004he played three games at theSummer Olympic Games,agroup-stage exit.[3]

Meira was selected for the2006 World Cupin Germany. Benefitting from injury toJorge Andrade,he appeared in all of Portugal's seven matches in the tournament as the national team finished fourth.[35]

Meira was also a regular fixture atUEFA Euro 2008held in Austria and Switzerland, taking part in the first three matches but missing the quarter-final clash withGermany,a 3–2 defeat.[36][37][38]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[39][40][1]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vitória Guimarães 1999–2000 Primeira Liga 30 2 4 0 — — 34 2
Benfica 2000–01 Primeira Liga 31 0 3 0 — 2 0 36 0
2001–02 15 2 2 0 — — 17 2
Total 46 2 5 0 — 2 0 53 2
VfB Stuttgart 2001–02 Bundesliga 14 2 0 0 — — 14 2
2002–03 31 1 2 0 — 6 1 39 2
2003–04 32 1 3 0 — 8 0 43 1
2004–05 16 1 1 0 — 3 1 20 2
2005–06 32 0 2 0 — 6 0 40 0
2006–07 20 3 4 0 — — 24 3
2007–08 28 3 3 0 — 6 0 37 3
Total 173 11 15 0 — 29 2 217 13
Galatasaray 2008–09 Süper Lig 21 0 6 0 — 10 0 37 0
Zenit 2009 Russian Premier League 22 1 2 0 — 2 0 26 1
2010 11 0 3 0 — 5 0 19 0
2011–12 1 0 3 0 — 4 0 8 0
Total 34 1 8 0 — 11 0 53 1
Zaragoza 2011–12 La Liga 12 0 0 0 — 0 0 12 0
Career total 305 16 38 0 — 50 2 403 18
  1. ^IncludesTaça de Portugal,DFB-Pokal,Turkish Cup,Russian Cup,Copa del Rey
  2. ^IncludesTaça da Liga,Russian Premier League Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[41]
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2000 2 0
2001 5 0
2002 4 0
2003 7 0
2004 1 0
2005 7 2
2006 10 0
2007 8 0
2008 10 0
Total 54 2
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Meira goal.
List of international goals scored by Fernando Meira
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition[42][41]
1 4 June 2005 Estádio da Luz,Lisbon, Portugal Slovakia 1–0 2–0 2006 World Cup qualification
2 17 August 2005 Estádio de São Miguel (Ponta Delgada),Ponta Delgada, Portugal Egypt 1–0 2–0 Friendly

Honours

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VfB Stuttgart

Galatasaray

Zenit

Orders

References

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  1. ^ab"Fernando Meira".FB Ref.Retrieved21 September2021.
  2. ^abc"Fernando Meira".Eurosport.Retrieved8 April2020.
  3. ^abPinheiro, Susana (22 June 2006)."Fernando Meira".Diário de Notícias(in Portuguese).Retrieved15 March2017.
  4. ^"Fernando Meira".Sky Sports.Retrieved20 July2008.
  5. ^Simões de Abreu, Alexandra (9 July 2017)."Fernando Meira:" O diretor do Zenit foi comigo a um stand e mandou-me escolher o carro. Comecei a rir e saí ao volante de um X6 ""[Fernando Meira: "The director of Zenit went with me to a dealership and told me to choose a car. I started laughing and left behind the wheel of a X6" ].Expresso(in Portuguese).Retrieved8 April2020.
  6. ^"Fernando Meira capitão do Benfica"[Fernando Meira Benfica captain] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 6 July 2001.Retrieved21 September2021.
  7. ^"Fernando Meira:" É boa oportunidade para provar o que valho ""[Fernando Meira: "It's a good opportunity to prove my worth" ].Record(in Portuguese). 4 January 2002.Retrieved8 April2020.
  8. ^"Bundesliga reaches cash crossroads".ESPN Soccernet.13 November 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 23 December 2013.Retrieved29 September2013.
  9. ^"Fernando Meira:" Era altura de buscar algo novo ""[Fernando Meira: "It was time to search for something new" ].Record(in Portuguese). 3 January 2002.Retrieved8 April2020.
  10. ^"Fernando Meira:" Trabalho com o objectivo de ir ao Mundial ""[Fernando Meira: "I work to go to the World Cup" ].Record(in Portuguese). 27 January 2002.Retrieved29 September2013.
  11. ^Linnenbrügger, Matthias (27 January 2002)."HSV im Abstiegskampf"[HSV in relegation battle].Die Welt(in German).Retrieved15 March2017.
  12. ^"Fernando Meira faz «penalty» e empata de cabeça"[Fernando Meira concedes penalty and draws with his head].Record(in Portuguese). 23 February 2002.Retrieved29 September2023.
  13. ^"Fernando Meira marca golo"[Fernando Meira scores goal].Record(in Portuguese). 8 April 2002.Retrieved8 April2020.
  14. ^"Celtic kill off Stuttgart".BBC Sport.27 February 2003.Retrieved8 April2020.
  15. ^"Amanatidis inspires Stuttgart win".UEFA. 12 November 2002.Retrieved21 September2021.
  16. ^"Don't look back".Bundesliga.2 August 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 14 February 2012.Retrieved12 May2009.
  17. ^Schlütter, Klaus (16 July 2008)."Wechselwünsche nerven Trainer Armin Veh"[Coach Armin Veh walks on egg shells].Die Welt(in German).Retrieved15 March2017.
  18. ^ab"VfB Stuttgart crowned Bundesliga champions".Raidió Teilifís Éireann.19 May 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 20 July 2009.Retrieved30 March2009.
  19. ^Winkelhagen, André (17 January 2019)."VfB Stuttgart: Wenig Erfolg mit Rekordtransfers"[VfB Stuttgart: Little success with record transfers] (in German).bwin.Retrieved8 April2020.
  20. ^"Meira departs going".VfB Stuttgart. 20 July 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 24 May 2024.Retrieved20 July2008.
  21. ^"Fernando Meira Galatasaray'da!"[Fernando Meira signs with Galatasaray!] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 22 July 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2008.Retrieved22 July2008.
  22. ^"Portugal defender Fernando Meira leaves Stuttgart for Galatasaray".International Herald Tribune.23 July 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2008.Retrieved23 July2008.
  23. ^"Galatasaray won the Super Cup!".Galatasaray S.K. 17 August 2008.Retrieved12 March2009.
  24. ^Gillen, Sean (19 February 2009)."Meira headed for Zenit?".PortuGOAL. Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2011.Retrieved31 March2009.
  25. ^Gillen, Sean (19 February 2009)."Zenit's Meira interest confirmed".PortuGOAL. Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2011.Retrieved31 March2009.
  26. ^"Zenit take Meira off Galatasaray's hands".UEFA. 11 March 2009.Retrieved12 March2009.
  27. ^"Fernando Meira chose shirt No 3".FC Zenit. 11 March 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2009.Retrieved12 March2009.
  28. ^Mesquita, João (8 April 2009)."Rússia"[Russia](PDF).A Voz de Portugal(in Portuguese). p. 31.Retrieved29 September2023.
  29. ^"El Zaragoza anuncia el fichaje de Fernando Meira"[Zaragoza announce signing of Fernando Meira].Diario AS(in Spanish). 15 August 2011.Retrieved8 April2020.
  30. ^"Ronaldo gets Madrid show underway".ESPN Soccernet. 28 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 2 November 2012.Retrieved31 August2011.
  31. ^Castarlenas Vaquero, Francisco Javier (27 September 2011)."Aguirre encuentra el equilibrio con Ponzio y Meira"[Aguirre finds the balance with Ponzio and Meira] (in Spanish). Aragón Digital.Retrieved8 April2020.
  32. ^"Aguirre probó ayer con Juan Carlos y Lafita en las bandas"[Aguirre tested Juan Carlos and Lafita on the wings yesterday].El Periódico de Aragón(in Spanish). 13 October 2011.Retrieved8 April2020.
  33. ^Gaudioso, Sonia (1 February 2012)."Fernando Meira deja el Real Zaragoza"[Fernando Meira leaves Real Zaragoza].Marca(in Spanish).Retrieved15 March2017.
  34. ^Queiroz, Manuel (12 October 2000)."Um" matador "chamado Pauleta"[A "killer" called Pauleta].Público(in Portuguese).Retrieved29 April2020.
  35. ^"Euro2008 – Nuno Gomes iguala cinco presenças de Figo"[Euro2008 – Nuno Gomes equals Figo's five presences] (in Portuguese). Bom Dia. 1 June 2008.Retrieved8 April2020.
  36. ^McNulty, Phil (7 June 2008)."Portugal 2–0 Turkey".BBC Sport.Retrieved8 April2020.
  37. ^Hughes, Ian (11 June 2008)."Czech Republic 1–3 Portugal".BBC Sport.Retrieved8 April2020.
  38. ^Chowdhury, Saj (15 June 2008)."Turkey 3–2 Czech R & Switzerland 2–0 Portugal".BBC Sport.Retrieved8 April2020.
  39. ^abcd"Fernando Meira".Soccerway.Retrieved17 June2014.
  40. ^Fernando MeiraatESPN FC
  41. ^ab"Fernando Meira".European Football.Retrieved15 March2017.
  42. ^Costa, Onofre (18 August 2005)."Postiga on target for Portugal".UEFA.Retrieved8 April2020.
  43. ^"Stuttgart 2–0 Lille (aggregate: 2–1)".UEFA. Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2002.Retrieved16 June2020.
  44. ^"Wagner Love, do CSKA, não teme jogo frente aos" dragões ""[Wagner Love, of CSKA, does not fear match against "dragons" ] (in Portuguese).TSF.7 March 2011.Retrieved29 September2023.
  45. ^"Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança"[National team honoured by Duke of Bragança] (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006.Retrieved30 August2006.
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