Francisco Pires
Francisco Pires (born 24 December 1921) is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a forward.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 24 December 1921 | ||
Place of birth | Portugal | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1940–1945 | Benfica | 17 | (7) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
He joined Benfica in 1940, winning a double of league and cup in 1942–43.
Career
Pires arrived at Benfica by the hands of Janos Biri, making his debut on 19 January 1941, against Sporting.[1] With competition from Lourenço, Valadas, Teixeira and Rodrigues, he found it difficult to break into the first team, despite playing seven league games in his first year.[2][3] In his second season, he competed exclusivity in the Campeonato de Lisboa, not receiving a winners medal for the league title that Benfica won.[4]
In 1942–43, he received some playing time in the league, enough to win his first league, helping with one goal in 4 appearances. Plus, his four goals in the Portuguese Cup, contributed to Benfica winning the double.[5][6] In the following season, Pires scored five in six league games, but Benfica failed to retain the league title.[7] After a lacklustre season in 1944–45, with only two games in the regional league, he left Benfica.[8]
References
General
- Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica. Portugal: Lua de Papel. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Specific
- Tovar 2012, p. 743.
- Tovar 2012, p. 165.
- Tovar 2012, p. 170.
- Tovar 2012, p. 176.
- Tovar 2012, p. 177.
- Tovar 2012, p. 182.
- Tovar 2012, p. 188.
- Tovar 2012, p. 194.