Sílvio

Sílvio Manuel de Azevedo Ferreira Sá Pereira (aka Sílvio) plays for Atlético Madrid and the national team of Portugal as a left defender.

He began his football career at the age of 13 at Benfica. His coach told Sílvio he could play on every position he wants as he had both legs developed equally well (but still Sílvio was mainly employed on a position of left defender throughout the whole career).

By the age of 19 he had gone through all the youth teams of the club but was not able to establish himself as a promising player. He had to move to Atlético Cacém playing in the third Portuguese division. After the end of the season Sílvio was transferred to Odivelas that played in the second division. When playing against Rio Ave the player amazed the owners of that club with inspiration and determination he showed on the pitch. Rio Ave signed the Portuguese at the end of the season. His first game for the new team was against Benfica. The eventual score was equal in that game. Sílvio spent 2 seasons with Rio Ave and featured in 57 games.

In 2010 he signed for Braga that was seeking a left defender however they made Sílvio play a right defender. Surprisingly enough the footballer started to score and bring victories to the club. After that CSKA Moscow showed their genuine interest in the footballer but he went to play for Atlético Madrid instead. During the season 2011/12 he was mainly used as a substitute making 9 appearances. Later he was sent on loan to Deportivo La Coruña and to his former club Benfica.

As for his international career Sílvio has played 5 matches for the national team of Portugal after appearing 3 times for the youth teams of different ages.