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Friday, 27 July 2012 13:50

Braga repratriate Ruben Micael

Portugal international returns to Liga after unhappy spell in Spain

Braga have this afternoon confirmed the loan signing of creative midfielder and Portugal Euro 2012 squad member Ruben Micael, on a season-long loan from Atlético Madrid. The 25 year-old has already joined up with his new teammates in the Algarve ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Newcastle. 

Micael first came to prominence with Nacional, having made his professional debut for hometown club União Madeira at the age of eighteen. Following an outstanding 2008/09 campaign, he was snapped up by FC Porto in January 2010, and was part of André Villas-Boas' treble-winning 2010/11 squad.

Micael contributed four goals in nineteen appearances that season, and was particularly useful in Porto's Europa League campaign. However, Villas-Boas' departure and the signing of Steven Defour essentially ended his hopes of establishing a first-team spot at the Dragão, and he was shipped off to Atlético Madrid along with Radamel Falcao.

Unfortunately, Micael was very much an afterthought compared with his Colombian colleague. Immediately loaned to Zaragoza and plunged into a relegation battle, he acquitted himself well enough to earn a place in Paulo Bento's set-up but admitted earlier this week that he was unhappy: "A year ago I decided to leave Porto and a year later I don't know if it was for the best." 

A season's loan at Braga (who also have an option to purchase next summer) ought to provide Micael with the perfect opportunity to kick-start what was until a year ago a promising career. With Custódio, Hugo Viana, Djamal, Mossoró, Ruben Amorim and now Micael to choose from, new coach José Peseiro ought to have one of the Liga's strongest midfields at his disposal. 

Micael could make his Braga debut as early as Saturday evening, with the Arsenalistas facing Newcastle United at the Estádio do Algarve in a pre-season friendly. Last night, Olympiakos coach Leonardo Jardim was reunited with his former charges at the same venue - Braga prevailed on penalties after a 1-1 draw. 

Ben Shave 

Comments (7)
Almost forgot
7 Monday, 06 August 2012 10:48
Just because people like to keep count, Braga has off loaded a lot of Portuguese this off season.
Not including loans, which excludes Micael, Braga has brought in one Portuguese. They have let seven Portuguese leave. Many of whom are still young.

By contrast, the much maligned Benfica have brought in three Portuguese, while not releasing any.
Ruben
6 Sunday, 29 July 2012 14:46
If we want Ruben Micael to develop into a great player Braga is the place to be, I am sure he will find playing time with them.

Boa Sorte Ruben Micael.
Good move
5 Saturday, 28 July 2012 13:49
I was extremely high on Micael. I really thought he was going to be our Selecaos future #10, but he really fizzled out.
Let's hope he gets his career back on track.

Let me add, that his story should be a continuation of many cautionary tales, of players moving abroad at disappearing.
Re: Ivo
4 Friday, 27 July 2012 21:04
Two things Ivo... Falcao and Micael are different players and I was referring to Portuguese players. Falcao was already fully establish as a footballer and deserved to move on to better things, Micael on the other hand wasn't and needed to stay another season or two before joining a bigger team.
Micael
3 Friday, 27 July 2012 20:41
I think that Micael will be a great addition to Braga. He'll provide competition for Mossoro, and he'll make Braga's strong midfield even better. Hopefully he'll be a valuable asset to his new team.

With regards to his talent/potential, I think that Ruben is a good attacking midfielder, but I still don't think that he's seleccao material. Portugal has become one of Europe's top national teams, so we'll need excellent players in every position. For me, Danny, Andre Martins, Manuel Fernandes, and even Carlos Martins are better options for the seleccao.
Good choice still for Micael
2 Friday, 27 July 2012 17:49
Danny, I understand your point, but at the same time, Falcao also had "a good thing going in Porto" and he is an even bigger star in a more competitive league now. The fact is that it's difficult to tell how certain players will adjust when they move to a new team. If I were playing in Portugal and a good team from a top European league came knocking, it would be very difficult to pass up the opportunity. In hindisght, it doesn't seem to have been a good result for Micael, but it was still the right choice in my opinion. It's always a risk to move, but the rewards are potentially great, and if you don't try you'll never know how things would have played out.
Stupid Micael
1 Friday, 27 July 2012 15:44
I said it the day he left Porto to Madrid that this guy was making a stupid mistake. He had a good thing going in Porto, but like most Portuguese players when a bigger club from a bigger league comes calling they jet away so fast. Anyways I hope he gets his career back on track with Braga. Too talented of a player to let his career go to waste.

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