Hélder Postiga

Hélder Postiga (born 2 August 1982 in Vila do Conde) is a striker who started his football career as a football player of Sport Club Varzim, north of Porto. Later he joined the FC Porto youth teams and continued to progress until he got to the senior B-Team. The coach Fernando Santos chose him for the main team in some occasions and he did well.

Related Topics:
2 August - 1982 - Vila do Conde - FC Porto

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After coach Octávio Machado came to FC Porto, Postiga joined the main team. He soon revealed a talent to score goals and was decisive in some games FC Porto managed to win. After the legendary José Mourinho assumed command of the team as a coach, Postiga exploded. Scoring 13 goals at the age of 20, he soon became the star of FC Porto's forwards, along with Derlei. Of course, Postiga was a permanent selection for the Portuguese national under-21 team by this time.

Related Topics:
José Mourinho - Derlei

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Such a young star wouldn't stay for long in Portugal and after the end of the 2002/2003 championship, Postiga went to Tottenham Hotspur. It was then that the star shine drastically decreased.

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Unadapted to the English style of football, Postiga only managed to score two goals, which was ridiculous when compared to his past season. He stayed at Spurs for only one season and then returned to FC Porto for another disappointing, but better, season.

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In the meanwhile, Postiga managed to save Portugal from defeat against England during Euro 2004, scoring a good goal that would make the difference during the last minutes of the game.

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Hélder Postiga returned to his former club through a deal between FC Porto and Tottenham Hotspur, with midfielder Pedro Mendes as an exchange.

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FC Porto's coach Victor Fernandes included him in the team for season 2004/2005, but Postiga disappointed after missing crucial goals, even when one-on-one with the keeper, at a time when Porto more needed goals.

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Yet hope was not lost and a change of coach at FC Porto proved vital for the young striker. José Couceiro was the man that saved Postiga from complete disaster. He started choosing Postiga as a starting player. Soon Postiga revived and managed to score three goals before the end of the season.

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