Miguel Arcanjo Arsénio de Oliveira (born 13 May 1932) is an Angolan-born former Portuguese footballer. He played as a central defender.

Miguel Arcanjo
Personal information
Full name Miguel Arcanjo Arsénio de Oliveira
Date of birth (1932-05-13) 13 May 1932 (age 92)
Place of birth Nova Lisboa, Angola
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1966 Porto 228 (0)
International career
1957–1965 Portugal 9 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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After playing professionally in Angola with Sporting de Benguela, Arcanjo became one of the most highly sought after football players in the European league. In 1950, he signed a professional contract to play with FC Porto (FCP) in Portugal, making him the first African player in the history of FCP. During a lengthy ship ride from Angola to Portugal, he developed an eye infection that almost ended his soccer career. The following summer of 1951, retina surgery saved Arcanjo from blindness and increased his chances of playing professional once again. Arcanjo was the driving force behind FCP's success in the 1950s to early '60s and went on to become one of the best players in the club's history.[1]

Arcanjo gained 9 caps for Portugal. After establishing himself as the best defender in Portugal, he made his debut on 26 May 1957 in Lisbon against Italy, in a 3-0 victory.

Honours

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Porto

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sousa, Nuno (17 April 2016). "Miguel Arcanjo, o central que desarmou duas vezes o destino" [Miguel Arcanjo, the center back that disarmed the destiny twice]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 June 2018.
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