Full name: Rolando Jorge Pires da Fonseca
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 31 August 1985
Birthplace: São Vincente, Cape Verde
A solid and steady performer for Belenenses over a number of seasons, FC Porto brought the CapeVerdean born defender to the Estadio do Dragao in the summer of 2008. The assured Rolando quickly made himself a first-team regular, effectively ending the career of veteran defender and Porto captain Pedro Emanuel.
His good positional sense, speed and anticipation provide the perfect foil for the more rugged style of his centre-back partner at Porto, Bruno Alves. And just like Alves, Rolando lends his weight to the attack on set-pieces and has acquired the happy knack of contributing a number of important goals.
International career
Rolando was born in Cape Verde. He joined the huge immigrant community from the AfricanIsland that resides in Portugal at 15 years of age. He became a naturalised citizen in 2006, and did not have to wait long for international recognition as he was selected in Portugal’s squad for the Euro 2007 Under 21 championships.
Rolando made his full Portugal debut in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, where he was regularly called up by Queiroz as back-up for Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves and Pepe.
by Tom Kundert (18/01/2010)
Club
Appearances*
Goals
Belenenses
97
7
FC Porto**
43
4
PORTUGAL
2
0
* League appearances only
** Up to January 2010
Comments (1)
Fringe player?
1
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 06:42
David/Portugal
How can Rolando be considered in the same category as Coentrão - a "fringe" player?
Rolando is one of Portugal's top four center backs, period.
Full name: Rolando Jorge Pires da Fonseca
Rolando is one of Portugal's top four center backs, period.