Player profile: Marco Caneira

Marco Caneira

Full name: Marco Antonio Simoes Caneira

Position: Defender

Date of Birth: 9 February 1979

Birthplace: Sintra, Portugal



A regular in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Portugal squad, feisty utility defender Marco Caneira has built a solid reputation in a much-travelled career. Judging by his form in recent seasons the uncompromising tackler can be compared to Portugal’s most famous commercial product – Port Wine – he just gets better and better with age.

A highly committed utility defender, Caneira can play anywhere in the back four. His preferred position is in central defence, but he can also be relied upon as a full-back on either flank and is deceptively effective coming forward when playing this role. So much so that he has even deputised as Portugal’s left-back on several occasions.


Physical approach
Standing 1.78 metres tall and weighing 75 kg Marco Caneira is hardly the most intimidating defender, yet with bristling aggression a major facet of his game, opposition players know they’ve been in a match at the end of the 90 minutes. In November 2004, Caneira’s physical style of play proved too much for Brazilian superstar, Adriano, who was sent off for punching Caneira in the Inter Milan-Valencia Champions League encounter.


Starting his career at Lisbon giants Sporting, Caneira failed to break through from the youth ranks. After playing for three of Portugal’s more modest clubs his energetic displays earned him a move to Italian side Reggina. Following just one season in Italy he moved back to Lisbon, playing for one year at Sporting’s city rivals Benfica.

However, it was at his next club, Bordeaux, in France that Caneira really began to flourish. Two highly successful campaigns saw him earn a big-money move to Valencia and further impressive displays seemed to set up the now full Portugal international for a successful and enduring spell in La Liga.

So it came as a surprise when Caneira was allowed to leave the Spanish outfit, albeit on loan. In August 2006 his career turned full circle as he penned a five-year loan deal with Sporting, to be reviewed at the end of each season.

Magnificent season

A rare goal – and a stunning 25-metre effort to boot – gave the Lions a memorable 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Sporting’s opening Champions League match and set the tone for a magnificent 2006/07 season for Caneira.

After playing much of the season at right-back or left-back depending on the need, Caneira reverted to his preferred central role for the final months of the campaign following a shoulder injury to team-mate Tonel. From that moment onwards Caneira played a leading role in an exhilarating 11-match end-of-season run that included 10 wins and 1 draw. Sporting conceded just three goals in this period, winning the Portuguese Cup and missing out on the Championship by one point.

Caneira’s superb displays proved a double-edged sword for Sporting. Valencia are fully aware that the 28-year-old is in the form of his life and are considering recalling the player back to the Mestalla.

by Tom Kundert (29/06/2007)

CLUB APPEARANCES* GOALS
Sporting 1 0
Salgueiros 3 0
Beira-Mar 12 0
Alverca 17 0
Reggina 22 0
Benfica 27 0
Bordeaux 65 0
Valencia 30 1
Sporting** 40 1
     
PORTUGAL*** 20 0

* League only
** Up to June 2007
*** Up to March 2007

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