Marco Caneira

Marco António Simões Caneira (born 9 February 1979) in Sintra, Portugal , (Pronunciation. ), is an international Portuguese people football (soccer) defender. He plays as a central defender, and also as right or left back, playing well in all positions.

Club career

Marco Caneira began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal youth, eventually graduating to the senior squad. After signing a professional contract, Caneira immediately went on loan to SC Beira-Mar. Caneira, along with fellow Sporting players Paulo Sérgio da Costa, and Vasco Faísca was then involved in a somewhat complicated transfer between F.C. Alverca, who had gained 50% of their rights, and Internazionale, a move orchestrated by the players' agent, Paulo Barbosa. Caneira was immediately sent out on loan to Reggina Calcio. After a season at Reggina, Caneira was sent from Inter to SL Benfica on a two year long loan. Spending 2001-02 at Benfica, Caneira then left for another loan spell, this time with Ligue 1 giants FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he enjoyed a successful season. Indeed, at the end of his first season with Bordeaux, the club officially signed him from Inter, handing him a four year contract. After his second season at Bordeaux, Caneira was loaned out again, this time to Valencia CF, who Bordeaux had faced twice in the UEFA Champions League 2003-04. After two seasons at Valencia Caneira returned to Portugal, signing a 3-year loan contract with Sporting in January 2006, where he displayed some of his finest football to date, including a great goal against his former owners Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07. In August 2007, he returned to Quique Sánchez Flores's Valencia.

International career

He was selected for the Portugal national football team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but did not play. Left out of the squad for the 2004 European Championships, Caneira returned to the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, playing in Portugal's match against Mexico.