Hugo Miguel Almeida Costa Lopes (born 19 December 1986) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for C.F. Estrela da Amadora.

Miguel Lopes
Lopes with Akhisar Belediyespor in 2018
Personal information
Full name Hugo Miguel Almeida Costa Lopes[1]
Date of birth (1986-12-19) 19 December 1986 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth Lisbon, Portugal[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
Estrela Amadora
Number 13
Youth career
1995–1999 Oriental
1999–2002 Olivais Moscavide
2002–2004 Alverca
2004–2005 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Benfica B 24 (4)
2006–2007 Operário 21 (7)
2007–2009 Rio Ave 50 (2)
2009–2012 Porto 14 (1)
2010–2011Betis (loan) 21 (0)
2012Braga (loan) 10 (0)
2013–2017 Sporting CP 24 (0)
2013–2014Lyon (loan) 19 (0)
2015–2016Granada (loan) 26 (0)
2016–2017Akhisarspor (loan) 31 (3)
2017–2019 Akhisarspor 49 (1)
2019–2021 Kayserispor 40 (1)
2022– Estrela Amadora 39 (0)
International career
2009 Portugal U21 3 (0)
2012 Portugal 4 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Poland-Ukraine
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:33, 16 March 2024 (UTC)

During his career, he played for each of the Big Three of Portuguese football – Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP – as well as spending time on loan in Spain and France. He competed five years in the Turkish Süper Lig with Akhisarspor and Kayserispor.

Lopes represented Portugal at Euro 2012.

Club career edit

Early career edit

Born in Lisbon, Lopes started his professional career with S.L. Benfica's B team. The following summer, he moved to the lower leagues with CD Operário.[2]

After some solid displays, Lopes signed in the 2007–08 season with Segunda Liga's Rio Ave FC. In his first year, he was an habitual starter as the Vila do Conde side returned to the Primeira Liga after two years.

In 2008–09, Lopes helped Rio Ave to home draws against Benfica and FC Porto,[3][4][5] and was again featured regularly, thus prompting interest from bigger clubs.

Porto edit

On 23 January 2009, Lopes agreed to a four-year deal with Porto which was made effective on 1 July.[6] In his debut season, having to compete with Uruguayan Jorge Fucile for a starting berth, he appeared sparingly in the league but did manage to play 19 official matches, 14 as a starter.[7]

In late August 2010, deemed surplus to requirements by new Porto manager André Villas-Boas as practically all Portuguese players, Lopes moved to Spanish side Real Betis on a one-year loan deal.[8] He passed his medical and was unveiled on 2 September,[9] eventually appearing in exactly half of the Segunda División games during the campaign as the Andalusians returned to La Liga as champions after three years.[10][11]

Lopes spent the first part of 2011–12 unregistered by Porto. In the January transfer window he was loaned to fellow top-division side S.C. Braga,[12] going on to start in seven of his league appearances as they finished third and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the second time in their history.[13]

Lopes returned to Porto for the 2012–13 season.[14] On 29 September he scored through a rare header, opening the score in an eventual 2–2 draw at former team Rio Ave.[15]

Sporting CP edit

In January 2013, Lopes joined fellow Big Three side Sporting CP on a five-and-a-half-year contract, with Marat Izmailov moving in the opposite direction.[16] On 7 July, he agreed to a one-year loan deal at Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1.[17]

On 31 May 2015, Lopes was featured in the final of the Taça de Portugal against Braga, coming on as a substitute after the first-half dismissal of Cédric Soares. Although he was beaten by Rafa Silva who put the opposition 2–0 up, his side eventually won in a penalty shootout.[18]

Lopes returned to Spain on 6 August 2015, joining Granada CF on a one-year loan deal.[19]

Turkey edit

The following season, still owned by Sporting, Lopes signed with Akhisarspor in the Süper Lig.[20] Subsequently, the move was made permanent.[21]

On 10 May 2018, Lopes helped the club win their first professional trophy, the Turkish Cup. In the final, he scored once in the 3–2 win over Fenerbahçe SK.[22]

Lopes joined Kayserispor of the same league in July 2019, on a two-year contract.[23] When he returned home for injury treatment the following March, he was unable to get back into Turkey due to COVID-19 restrictions, and his place was taken by Bosnian new signing Zoran Kvržić.[24][25]

Later career edit

Lopes returned to Portugal in December 2021 after six years away, with the 35-year-old signing with C.F. Estrela da Amadora who had just been promoted to the second tier.[26] On 11 June 2023, he scored in a 2–1 loss away to C.S. Marítimo, winning the promotion/relegation play-offs on penalties and returning to the top flight following a lengthy absence.[27]

In his later years, Lopes featured more often than not as a centre-back.[28]

International career edit

Due to his ability to play as both a right and a left back, Lopes was selected by Portugal coach Paulo Bento for his UEFA Euro 2012 squad.[29][30] He earned his first cap on 2 June in a 1–3 friendly loss against Turkey in Lisbon,[31] being an unused member in the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Personal life edit

Lopes' twin brother, Nuno, was also a footballer and a right-back. Both came through exactly the same youth system setup, with the exception of Benfica.[32][2]

Career statistics edit

As of 23 March 2015
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Benfica B 2005–06[33] Segunda Divisão 24 4 24 4
Operário 2006–07[33] Segunda Divisão 21 7 2 0 23 7
Rio Ave 2007–08[33] Segunda Liga 24 2 3 0 1 0 28 2
2008–09[33] Primeira Liga 26 0 0 0 3 0 29 0
Total 50 2 3 0 4 0 57 2
Porto 2009–10[33] Primeira Liga 12 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
2010–11[33] Primeira Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2012–13[33] Primeira Liga 2 1 1 0 0 0 2[b] 0 1[a] 0 6 1
Total 14 1 3 0 5 0 2 0 2 0 26 1
Betis (loan) 2010–11[34] Segunda División 21 0 1 0 22 0
Braga (loan) 2011–12[33] Primeira Liga 10 0 0 0 2 0 1[c] 0 13 0
Sporting CP 2012–13[33] Primeira Liga 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2014–15[33] Primeira Liga 7 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 12 0
Total 21 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 26 0
Lyon (loan) 2013–14[34] Ligue 1 19 0 2 0 1 0 9[d] 0 31 0
Career total 181 14 14 0 14 0 12 0 2 0 223 14
  1. ^ a b Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

Honours edit

 
Lopes training with Portugal at Euro 2012

Porto

Betis

Sporting CP

Akhisarspor

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Miguel Lopes" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b Pereira, Sérgio (23 January 2009). "Miguel Lopes, a história do lateral que já foi guarda-redes" [Miguel Lopes, the story of the fullback who used to be a goalkeeper] (in Portuguese). TVI 24. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Rio Ave-Benfica, 1–1 (Semedo 55'; Nuno Gomes 56')". Record (in Portuguese). 24 August 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Rio Ave-F.C. Porto, 0–0 (ficha)" [Rio Ave-F.C. Porto, 0–0 (match sheet)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Rio Ave 0–0 FC Porto" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Miguel Lopes já é do Porto" [Miguel Lopes already belongs to Porto] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  7. ^ "F.C. Porto: Miguel Lopes quer "meter o Di María no bolso"" [F.C. Porto: Miguel Lopes wants to "put Di María in his pocket"] (in Portuguese). TVI 24. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Miguel Lopes es el nuevo fichaje" [Miguel Lopes is the new signing] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  9. ^ Ramírez, Álvaro (2 September 2010). "Miguel Lopes: "El Betis merece estar en Primera"" [Miguel Lopes: "Betis deserve to be in Primera"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Duro debut para el Betis" [Tough debut for Betis] (in Spanish). UEFA. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  11. ^ ""Me siento del Betis, lo digo a la cara; lloré con el ascenso"" ["I feel like a Betis fan, I'll say it to your face; the promotion made me cry"]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Miguel Lopes assina até ao fim da época" [Miguel Lopes signs until end of season] (in Portuguese). S.C. Braga. January 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  13. ^ "Miguel Lopes: "Mostrar porque estamos em 3.º lugar"" [Miguel Lopes: "Show why we stand 3rd"]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 May 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Miguel Lopes tem nova janela de oportunidade" [Window of opportunity opens for Miguel Lopes]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 September 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  15. ^ Ferreira, Victor (29 September 2012). "Tarantini brace punishes poor Porto with a draw". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  16. ^ "Izmailov and Miguel Lopes switch clubs, but who stands to benefit from the deal?". PortuGOAL. 8 January 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Lyon take Miguel Lopes on loan from Sporting". UEFA. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  18. ^ a b Godinho, João Paulo (31 May 2015). "Sporting faz a festa da Taça nos penáltis" [Sporting get Cup party going on penalties] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Miguel Lopes nuevo jugador del Granada CF" [Miguel Lopes new player of Granada CF] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 6 August 2015. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Miguel Lopes Akhisar Belediyespor'da" [Miguel Lopes to Akhisar Belediyespor]. Fanatik (in Turkish). 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  21. ^ "Miguel Lopes rescinde com Sporting e fica na Turquia" [Miguel Lopes cuts ties with Sporting and remains in Turkey]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 7 July 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Akhisarspor, Okan Buruk'la tarih yazdı" [Akhisarspor, history made with Okan Buruk]. Habertürk (in Turkish). 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Miguel Lopes kampa katıldı" [Miguel Lopes joins the camp]. Fanatik (in Turkish). 17 July 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Kayserispor'da Lopes'e korona virüs engeli! Portekiz'de bulunan Lopes, Türkiye'ye gelemiyor" [Coronavirus obstacle for Lopes in Kayserispor! Lopes in Portugal cannot come to Turkey]. Habertürk (in Turkish). 14 March 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Kayserispor'da Miguel Lopes'in yerine Zoran Kvrzic oynayacak" [Zoran Kvržić will replace Miguel Lopes in Kayserispor]. Star (in Turkish). 2 June 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Miguel Lopes assina pelo Estrela da Amadora" [Miguel Lopes signs for Estrela da Amadora]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  27. ^ Rodrigues, Carolina (11 June 2023). "Marítimo é derrotado nos penáltis pelo Estrela da Amadora e é despromovido à II Liga" [Marítimo are defeated by Estrela da Amadora on penalties and are relegated to II League]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Aos 36 anos, Miguel Lopes acompanha Estrela da Amadora na I Liga" [Aged 36, Miguel Lopes goes to I League with Estrela da Amadora]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 9 July 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Nélson Oliveira, Miguel Lopes e Custódio na lista para o Euro-2012" [Nélson Oliveira, Miguel Lopes and Custódio in Euro-2012 list]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 14 May 2012. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  30. ^ "Paulo Bento justifica Miguel Lopes e Custódio com segunda volta do Braga" [Paulo Bento justifies Miguel Lopes and Custódio with Braga's second half of the season]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 14 May 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  31. ^ Pimentel, José Nuno (2 June 2012). "Portugal's woes continue with Turkey defeat". UEFA. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  32. ^ "Jogo de Alvalade juntou dois irmãos gémeos" [Game at Alvalade joined two twin brothers]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 January 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Miguel Lopes at ForaDeJogo (archived)  
  34. ^ a b c d e f g "Miguel Lopes". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 April 2015.

External links edit