Player Profile: Custódio
Full name: Custódio Miguel Dias de Castro
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 24 May 1983
Birthplace: Guimarães, Portugal
Although Custódio may have been the surprise selection of Paulo Bento's Euro 2012 squad, even the most casual observers of Braga over the last eighteen months would have been struck by the defensive midfielder, who has provided Os Arsenalistas with a rare mix of controlled aggression and dynamic link-up play. Put simply, Custódio is in the form of his life.
Two years ago however, Custódio's presence at a major international tournament would have been inconceivable, with the 29 year-old locked in something of a mid-career slump. Having come through the youth ranks at his hometown club Vitória de Guimarães, Custódio was snapped up by Sporting at the age of 16, and made his pro debut at 19 against Salgueiros. By 2003/04 he was a regular alongside the likes of Paulo Bento and Fábio Rochemback in the Sporting midfield, and shortly after the former became coach in 2005, Custódio was made team captain.
However, his good fortunes were not to last. The emergence of Miguel Veloso and João Moutinho saw Custódio lose his place in the Sporting XI, and in June 2007 he was sold to Dynamo Moscow, where his career flatlined rapidly. Two unhappy seasons in Russia were brought to an end by Guimarães in 2008, who offered him a route back home.
Under Manuel Cajuda Custódio soon established himself in the side, but neither of Cajuda's successors (Nelo Vingada and Paulo Sérgio) relied as much upon his talents, and after just three substitute appearances in the 2010/11 primeira volta, he was allowed to depart for local rivals Braga. Custódio arrived at a club firmly on the up with Domingos Paciência at the helm, and he played a vital role during a frantic run-in that saw Braga reach the Europa League final, and seal a 3rd-place finish in the Liga.
Unfortunately for Custódio, he suffered a long-term injury following the 1-0 loss to Porto in Dublin, which kept him out of action until January 2012. However, for the first time fate smiled upon the midfielder. With defensive midfield incumbent Djamal off at the African Cup of Nations, Custódio slotted back into his natural role effortlessly, and retained his place for the remainder of the 2011/12 campaign. The icing on the cake was undoubtedly a majestic display against Guimarães in February, after which his house was daubed with grafitti by disgruntled Vitória supporters. Judging by his celebrations during the match, Custódio had little trouble shaking it off.
With Champions League football secured for 2012/13, Custódio would have ended the season more than content. However, the best was yet to come, as Paulo Bento rewarded his former captain with a maiden international call-up. It may have taken longer than many expected, but Custódio appears to have arrived at last.
by Ben Shave (24/05/2012)
| CLUB |
APPEARANCES* |
GOALS |
| Sporting |
95 |
4 |
| Dynamo Moscow |
8 |
0 |
| Vitória Guimarães |
27 |
0 |
| Braga** |
30 |
4 |
| |
|
|
| PORTUGAL** |
0 |
0 |
* League only
** Up to May 2012
|
