Miguel Lopes

Early career

Born in Lisbon, Lopes started his professional career with S.L. Benfica's B team. The following summer, he moved to the lower leagues with CD Operário. After some solid displays, Lopes signed in the 2007–08 season with Segunda Liga's Rio Ave FC. In his first year, he was an habitual starter as the Vila do Conde side returned to the Primeira Liga after two years. In 2008–09, Lopes helped Rio Ave to home draws against Benfica and FC Porto, and was again featured regularly, thus prompting interest from bigger clubs.

Porto

On 23 January 2009, Lopes agreed to a four-year deal with Porto which was made effective on 1 July. In his debut season, having to compete with Uruguayan Jorge Fucile for a starting berth, he appeared sparingly in the league but did manage to play 19 official matches, 14 as a starter. In late August 2010, deemed surplus to requirements by new Porto manager André Villas-Boas as practically all Portuguese players, Lopes moved to Spanish side Real Betis on a one-year loan deal. He passed his medical and was unveiled on 2 September, eventually appearing in exactly half of the Segunda División games during the campaign as the Andalusians returned to La Liga as champions after three years. Lopes spent the first part of 2011–12 unregistered by Porto. In the January transfer window he was loaned to fellow top-division side S.C. Braga, going on to start in seven of his league appearances as they finished third and qualified for the UEFA…

Due to his ability to play as both a right and a left back, Lopes was selected by Portugal coach Paulo Bento for his UEFA Euro 2012 squad. He earned his first cap on 2 June in a 1–3 friendly loss against Turkey in Lisbon, being an unused member in the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

As of 18 May 2024

Lopes' twin brother, Nuno, was also a footballer and a right-back. Both came through exactly the same youth system setup, with the exception of Benfica.