Hélder Rosário

Born in Lisbon of Cape Verdean descent, Rosário started playing professionally with Sporting CP's farm team, S.C. Lourinhanense, then had a stint with the former's reserves. From 2001 to 2003, he had spells in the Segunda Liga with F.C. Maia and S.C. Farense. Rosário made his Primeira Liga debut in the 2003–04 season with C.F. Os Belenenses, also scoring in a 3–1 away loss against S.L. Benfica in the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal. In the following three years he was an important defensive element with Boavista FC, always in the Portuguese top flight. Alongside countrymen Eliseu and Paulo Jorge, Rosário joined Málaga CF of the Spanish Segunda División for 2007–08, and would only miss three league games – out of 42 – during the campaign, adding goals in home matches against Córdoba CF (4–1 win) and Hércules CF (4–6 defeat, also being sent off) as the Andalusia club returned to La Liga after two years. Rosário struggled with injuries and weight problems during his third year at the La Rosaleda Stadium, and made just two appearances in the Copa del Rey in the first part of the season. His league return only took place on 18 April 2010, in the 0–0 home draw with Real Valladolid. In early 2011, Rosário and his compatriot Edinho were deemed surplus to requirements, being restricted to training with the first team. On 30 June 2012 his contract expired and he left, signing the following month with SD Ponferradina in the second tier. He left at the end of the campaign, having…