Hugo Leal

Born in the Lisbon outskirts of Cascais, Leal started his career with local Benfica and, not yet 17, made his Primeira Liga debut against Espinho, in a 2–0 home win on 20 April 1997. He made his breakthrough in the 1998–99 season, playing 27 league games and scoring three goals; in between, he served a loan stint at Benfica's farm team Alverca, at the time also in the top division. In the summer of 1999, Leal moved abroad with Spain's Atlético Madrid. In his first year the club was relegated to the Segunda División, and in his only goal he was also sent off, in a 13 May 2000 home draw against Sevilla. He stayed for the following campaign but could not help the Colchoneros win promotion back into La Liga, although he had established in the starting XI (36 matches, four goals). Leal joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2001, helping the capital side to two French Cup finals in consecutive years. However, on 8 March 2002, in a match against Lorient for that competition, he suffered a serious injury to his left knee, being sidelined for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery and also missing that year's UEFA European Under-21 Championship; his playing time was gradually cut, and a mutual contract termination was agreed on 4 August 2004. In August 2004, Leal signed a four-year contract with Porto. He spent six months with the team before moving to Académica de Coimbra on loan as he did not get enough playing time; at this point, he seriously consider ending his playing…

Leal participated with the Portuguese under-20 team in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Nigeria, exiting in the round of 16 following a penalty shootout loss to Japan (1–1 after 120 minutes). He also helped the under-16 side win the 1995 and the 1996 UEFA European Under-16 Championships. Aged 18, Leal earned one cap for the full side, a 0–0 draw with the Netherlands in Paris on 19 February 1999.

Paris Saint-Germain

Coupe de France: 2003–04; runner-up: 2002–03 UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001 Porto

Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2004 Portugal

UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1995, 1996