João Manuel (footballer, born 1967)

João Manuel Loureiro dos Santos, known as João Manuel (born 31 August 1967; died 18 May 2005 of multiple sclerosis) was a Portuguese football player.

João Manuel

Personal information
Full name	João Manuel Loureiro dos Santos
Date of birth	(1967-08-31)31 August 1967
Place of birth	Moimenta da Beira, Portugal
Date of death	18 May 2005(2005-05-18) (aged 37)
Place of death	Guimarães, Portugal
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1987–1988	Viseu e Benfica
1988–1992	Académico de Viseu	51	(7)
1992–1995	Académica de Coimbra	86	(8)
1995–2004	União de Leiria	251	(11)
2004	Moreirense	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

He made his professional debut in the Primeira Liga for Académico de Viseu on 28 August 1988 as a starter in a 0–0 draw against Marítimo.^[1] Over his career, he played 255 games on the top level of Portuguese football, most of them with União de Leiria, he also played in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Intertoto Cup with the club.

International

He was called up to the Portugal national football team several times in 1996 and 1997, but stayed on the bench in each game he was on the roster.