Henrique Hilário

Footballer

▸ Source: Wikidata

Henrique Hilário is a former Portuguese football player who played as a goalkeeper and is now a football coach.

He began his professional career at Associação Naval 1º de Maio in 1994.

Hilário returned to FC Porto in 1996, where he made 18 appearances and won the Primeira Divisão championship.

Based on: Wikidata

Biography

Early Life

Henrique Hilário Meireles Alves Sampaio, known simply as Hilário, was born in São Pedro da Cova, located in the Porto District of Portugal. He began his football journey in the youth system of FC Porto, where he developed his skills as a goalkeeper.

Career

Hilário's professional career kicked off in 1994 with Associação Naval 1º de Maio, followed by a stint at Associação Académica de Coimbra. He returned to FC Porto in the 1996-97 season, stepping into the spotlight after the departure of Vítor Baía. During his time at Porto, he made 18 appearances and contributed to the club's success in the Primeira Divisão. However, he faced challenges with competition for his position, leading to multiple loan spells.

In 2004, Hilário signed with C.D. Nacional, where he played 29 matches in his first season. His career took a significant turn in 2006 when he joined Chelsea F.C. under manager José Mourinho. Initially a third-choice goalkeeper, he seized his opportunity when injuries struck his teammates, making his debut against Barcelona and later in the Premier League against Portsmouth. Over his time at Chelsea, he made a total of 18 appearances.

On the international stage, Hilário received his first call-up to the Portugal national team in 2009 at the age of 34, eventually making his debut in a friendly match against China in 2010. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, returning to Chelsea as a goalkeeping coach and later taking on the role of goalkeeping coach for the England national team in 2024.

Legacy

Hilário's journey from a youth player in Portugal to a professional goalkeeper in top leagues and a coach for national teams showcases his dedication to football. His experience and knowledge continue to influence the next generation of goalkeepers.

Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed

Wikidata

Gallery

Career & Clubs

Club career

Porto and loans

Hilário was born in São Pedro da Cova, Porto District. After emerging through Porto's youth system, he left and began playing professionally with Naval and Académica de Coimbra – respectively in the Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra. Hilário returned to Porto for the 1996–97 season, after Vítor Baía's departure to Barcelona, appearing in 18 matches as the club won the Primeira Divisão championship for the third successive season. He soon would be deemed surplus to requirements however (Baía also returned from Spain in January 1999), being loaned four times during his spell while also being demoted to the reserves.

Nacional

Released by Porto in summer 2004, Hilário signed with Nacional on a permanent basis. He played 29 matches in his first year, but lost his place after the arrival of Swiss Diego Benaglio.

Chelsea

Hilário signed for Chelsea on 1 June 2006, joining former Porto boss José Mourinho, the two having coincided there for a brief period in the 2003–04 pre-season. He was originally signed as third choice behind Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini, but was handed a run in the first team after they both sustained injuries in a game against Reading on 14 October 2006. He made his debut on 18 October against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. His Premier League debut came three days later, in a 2–1 home victory over Portsmouth. Hilário's run in the side saw him make a total of 18 appearances…

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Career statistics

Club

International

▸ Source: Wikipedia

International career

Hilário received his first call-up for Portugal in November 2009, at the age of 34, as backup to Eduardo for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a role for which Beto, Daniel Fernandes, José Moreira and Rui Patrício were also tried. After being an unused substitute on that match he made his debut in the next game, coming on for Eduardo at half-time of the 2–0 friendly win over China on 3 March 2010.

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Coaching career

Hilário returned to Chelsea on 22 July 2016, as assistant goalkeeping coach to newly appointed manager Antonio Conte. He was promoted to the position of goalkeeping coach under Maurizio Sarri in August 2018. On 20 November 2024, Hilário became goalkeeper coach of the England national team, under Thomas Tuchel who he worked with at Chelsea; the former had spent 18 years at the club as both a player and coach.

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Club: Associação Naval 1º de Maio (1994–1995)
Club: Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F. (1995–1996)
Club: C.F. Estrela da Amadora (1998–1999)
Club: Varzim S.C. (2001–2002)
Club: C.D. Nacional (2003–2004)
Club: Chelsea F.C. (2006–2014)
Club: Portugal national under-21 football team (1996–1997)
Club: Portugal men's national football team (2010–2010)
Club: Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F. (2003–2003)
Club: C.D. Nacional (2004–2006)
Club: Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F. (2002–2003)
League: Premier League
National team: Portugal
Club: FC Porto (1996–2004)

Clubs

Played together with

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.

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