Player profile: Pedro Emanuel

Pedro Emanuel

Full name: Pedro Emanuel dos Santos Martins Silva

Position: Defender

Date of Birth: 11 February 1975

Birthplace: Luanda, Angola



FC Porto have been blessed with a string of world-class centre-backs in recent years, providing a solid backbone to their domestic domination of Portuguese football. While the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe have gone on to shine in Europe’s most high-profile leagues, Pedro Emanuel, always happy to maintain a low profile, has arguably been no less effective at the heart of the Dragons’ defence.

Indeed, it’s hard not to sympathise with the argument that Emanuel, one of Jose Mourinho’s first signings as Porto boss and a Uefa Cup and Champions League winner, is one of the most underrated players of his generation.

Born in Luanda, the capital of the former Portuguese colony of Angola, Emanuel gradually worked his way up the football ladder. After impressing in the lower leagues with three of Portugal’s lesser known clubs, top-flight team Boavista bought the centre-back and his career took off.

Historic feat

The defender formed a fearsome partnership at the heart of the Boavista defence with Litos, and was a key player as the Porto club enjoyed the finest period in its history, culminating in the historic Liga triumph in 2000/01 – the first time the Portuguese championship had been won by a team outside the big three for fifty years.

Having become team captain and putting in solid performances on the highest stage as Boavista held their own in consecutive Champions League campaigns, Emanuel had now become a hot property. Benfica were rumoured to be close to buying him but, under the instructions of Jose Mourinho, it was FC Porto who moved quickest to sign the player at the start of the 2002/03 season.

It was a case of two from three out of Jorge Costa, Ricardo Carvalho and Pedro Emanuel at the heart of the Porto defence, with any combination guaranteeing stability as FC Porto swept all before them at home and abroad over a golden two-year period. Emanuel appeared in consecutive finals of the Uefa Cup and Champions League – both times ending on the winning side.

Angola dream dashed

In the lead-up to the 2006 World Cup Angola made an attempt to draft the uncompromising defender, now Porto’s captain, into their squad – the Africans had been placed in Portugal’s group – and Emanuel was receptive to the idea. However, a FIFA ruling put paid to his hopes of making an appearance at Germany as the fact he had represented Portugal at youth level made him ineligible to play for another nation.

Shortly before the start of the 2006/07 season Emanuel suffered the worst moment of his career. A freak ruptured ligament injury incurred in a gentle warm-up exercise before a pre-season friendly with Manchester City ruled out the defender for the whole season. Undeterred, Emanuel returned stronger than ever the following year as his dependable performances helped Porto stroll to a third consecutive title, winning by a massive 20-point margin.

Bosingwa tribute

Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa has no doubts about the qualities of his team-mate of many years: “Pedro Emanuel was fundamental in my football education. He was my captain at Boavista and FC Porto and one of the people who commands the most respect in the changing room. He is a true leader.”

by Tom Kundert (16/08/2008)
CLUB APPEARANCES* GOALS
FC Marco 28 2
Ovarense 31 2
Penafiel 28 2
Boavista 148 1
FC Porto** 114 1

* League only
** Up to May 2008

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