Simão Sabrosa

Sporting

Born in Vila Real, Simão started his career at Sporting CP, whose youth system had just produced Luís Figo. During his two-year spell he played 62 competitive games with the first team, his first goal coming in his debut at only 17 in a 3–0 away win against S.C. Salgueiros.

Barcelona

Simão moved to FC Barcelona in the 1999 off-season on a £10 million transfer, partnering with Figo in his first year as they finished second in La Liga to Deportivo de La Coruña. On 21 October 2000, in a match remembered for his compatriot's treatment by Barça fans on his return to the Camp Nou in the colours of new team Real Madrid, he scored in a 2–0 El Clásico win. In 2001, after a comparatively low-key tenure at the Spanish club under manager Louis van Gaal, Simão spoke of his desire for a move back to Sporting. However, he signed with city rivals S.L. Benfica for €12 million.

Benfica

Simão instantly became a fan-favorite as his new team, quickly acquiring the status of captain. Also, during his six-year stint, he always finished as their top scorer, also ranking high in the global domestic charts, notably in the 2002–03 season as he scored a Primeira Liga and career-best 18 goals. In the following campaign, Simão scored Benfica's second goal in a 2–1 extra-time victory over FC Porto in the final of the Taça de Portugal, ending the club's eight-year silverware drought. In 2004–05, as the side won the national championship after an 11-year wait, he played…

Simão's path to the Portugal national team began when he won the UEFA European Under-16 Championship in 1996. The following year he began playing for the under-18s, being a regular in the under-21 side two years later. Simão made his full debut for Portugal at only 19 years of age, scoring on 18 November 1998 against Israel, but was not included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2000. He also did not make the list for the 2002 FIFA World Cup due to injury, but he did participate at Euro 2004 where the hosts finished in second place. He played in three of his country's six matches, his most notable appearance coming against England in the quarter-finals: he came on as a second-half substitute and seized on Frank Lampard's wayward pass and crossed for Hélder Postiga, who headed in unmarked scoring the equalising goal in the late minutes of the game, bringing it to extra time and an eventual successful penalty shootout, where he converted his attempt.

Simão was also selected for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, finishing fourth overall. He made six appearances in the tournament, scoring only one goal on the 24th minute against Mexico, in a 2–1 group stage win; on 1 July, in the quarter-finals, Portugal and England met again in a penalty shootout (0–0 after 120 minutes) and he helped to another victory, netting his attempt for the final 3–1. In Euro 2008, Simão played in three of Portugal's matches and did not find the net, as the nation was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany.…

Club

International

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sabrosa goal.

Benfica

Primeira Liga: 2004–05 Taça de Portugal: 2003–04 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2005 Atlético Madrid

UEFA Europa League: 2009–10 UEFA Super Cup: 2010 Copa del Rey runner-up: 2009–10 Beşiktaş

Turkish Cup: 2010–11 Portugal

UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1996 UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2004 Individual

Bola de Prata: 2002–03 LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2006–07 Cosme Damião Awards – Footballer of the Year: 2006 CNID Best Portuguese Athlete Abroad: 2010 Orders

Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)