Maniche

Maniche (Pronunciation, born on 11 November1977 in Lisbon, Portugal) is a midfielder who currently plays for Atlético Madrid and the Portugal national football team. He received his nickname after SL Benfica's 1980s legendary Denmark forward Michael Manniche.

Maniche began his career in the junior team of Benfica. His intermediate stops were Alverca FC and the first team of Benfica, where he played as a winger.

Following disciplinary problems at Benfica, he was signed by José Mourinho, the new manager of FC Porto. Mourinho made Maniche a key member of his team, playing him in the centre of midfield, as opposed to his previous position of winger.

After successful seasons for Porto from 2002 to 2005, winning both the UEFA Cup in UEFA Cup 2002-03 Final and the UEFA Champions League in UEFA Champions League 2003-04 Final, Maniche was sold to FC Dynamo Moscow for 16 million Euros.

Maniche played a significant role in Chelsea's most memorable game of the 2005-06 in English football season, though it was not the sort of involvement he would have hoped for. Making his first start for Chelsea in a home game against West Ham United, he failed to stop West Ham's James Collins from putting the Hammers ahead on 14 minutes, had an opportunity to score an equaliser but smashed his shot against the crossbar, and was then shown an immediate Misconduct (football) three minutes later for a challenge on Lionel Scaloni. However, Chelsea went on to secure an improbable 4-1 victory.

Maniche was part of the Chelsea team that won the 2005/2006 English Premier League championship title, the second successive title for the club, though he did not make enough appearances to earn a winners' medal. Chelsea had the option of making the transfer permanent at the end of the season, for Pound sterling5m ($9m), however they chose not to and Maniche returned to Dynamo Moscow. He then was subsequently signed by Atlético Madrid.

He played for his country in their second-place finish at 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, having debuted the previous year. On June 21 in 2006 FIFA World Cup, Portugal national football team played Mexico national football team, in Portugal's final 2006 FIFA World Cup - Group D game. Maniche scored in the 6th minute, and Portugal went on to win 2-1, progressing as group-winners. On June 25 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, the Portuguese played the Netherlands national football team. He scored the only goal in the game. He was the only Portuguese player to feature on Adidas' Golden Ball shortlist .

Honours

- European/South American Cup: 1
- - 2004, FC Porto
- UEFA Champions League: 1
- - 2003/04, FC Porto
- UEFA Cup: 1
- - 2002/03, FC Porto
- Portuguese Liga: 2
- - 2002/03, FC Porto
- - 2003/04, FC Porto
- Cup of Portugal: 1
- - 2002/03, FC Porto
- Portuguese Supercup: 2
- - 2003/04, FC Porto
- - 2004/05, FC Porto
- FA Premier League: 1
- - 2005/06, Chelsea

See also

- Jorge Ribeiro, Maniche's younger brother.