Luciano Fernandes

Luciano Jorge Fernandes (6 August 1940 – 5 December 1966) was a Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.

Luciano
Personal information
Full name Luciano Jorge Fernandes
Date of birth (1940-08-06)6 August 1940
Place of birth Olhão, Portugal
Date of death 5 December 1966(1966-12-05) (aged 26)
Place of death Lisbon, Portugal
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1959–1963 Olhanense 44 (1)
1963–1966 Benfica 33 (0)
Total 77 (1)
National team
1961 Portugal U21 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Olhão, Algarve, Luciano started out at local club S.C. Olhanense at age 19. His composure and assuredness in possession earned him the nickname Germano II, in honour of S.L. Benfica player Germano.[1] He moved to the latter side in 1963, and coach Lajos Czeizler displayed him in the right-back position until he injured his knee, needing an operation.

Luciano was again bothered by physical problems upon his return, now in the ankle, only returning to full fitness in the 1966–67 season.[2]

Death

On 5 December 1966, Benfica's new hydro massage bath short-circuited with seven players inside, Luciano being the only one immersed. Eusébio, Jaime Graça and Santana escaped with burns, whilst José Carmo Pais, Domiciano Cavém and Amândio Malta da Silva were knocked unconscious until Graça managed to climb out the pool and cut off the power supply; Luciano died immediately at the age of 26, and the team played the rest of the campaign in black, winning the league.[1][3]

Honours

Benfica[4]

References
  1. M., Craig (10 April 2013). "A Misfortune Never Comes Alone – Benfica 1967, Part One". Beyond the Last Man. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  2. Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica. Portugal: Lua de Papel. p. 309-335. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.
  3. "Luciano: a morte no Estádio da Luz, numa manhã de dezembro" [Luciano: death at the Estádio da Luz, on a December morning] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica. Portugal: Lua de Papel. p. 309-335. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.
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