Carlitos (footballer, born 1977)

Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha (born 6 March 1977), known as Carlitos, is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a right winger.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Silva and the second or paternal family name is Cunha.
Carlitos
Personal information
Full name Carlos Manuel da Silva Cunha
Date of birth (1977-03-06) 6 March 1977
Place of birth Barcelos, Portugal
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1998–1995 Gil Vicente
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Gil Vicente 60 (10)
1997–2000 Real Madrid 0 (0)
1997–1998 → Braga (loan) 16 (2)
1998–1999 → Estrela Amadora (loan) 11 (0)
1999–2000 → Gil Vicente (loan) 30 (6)
2000–2003 Benfica 46 (5)
2001 Benfica B 3 (0)
2004 Poli Ejido 7 (0)
2004–2006 Gil Vicente 61 (8)
2007 Belenenses 8 (0)
2007–2010 Vitória Guimarães 38 (0)
2010–2011 Gil Vicente 16 (0)
Total 296 (31)
International career
1996–1997 Portugal U20 11 (6)
1998–2000 Portugal U21 15 (4)
2000 Portugal B 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 260 matches and 30 goals over 16 seasons, mainly with Gil Vicente (six years). He also spent significant time in the competition with Benfica (four seasons) and Vitória de Guimarães (three).

Club career

Born in Barcelos, Carlitos' career was intimately connected with local Gil Vicente FC, which he represented in four separate spells. He made his first-team – and Primeira Liga – debut late into 1994–95 at the age of 18, then proceeded to total a further 58 league appearances in two full seasons.

In 1997, Carlitos joined Real Madrid on a four-year contract, being successively loaned to S.C. Braga, C.F. Estrela da Amadora and Gil Vicente again[1] and never appearing in competitive games for the Spaniards.[2][3] In the latter campaign, he scored a career-best nine goals as the latter club finished in a best-ever fifth position; his teammates included future Portugal international Petit.

Carlitos then signed with league giants S.L. Benfica,[4] but could never really settle in the starting XI, also being demoted at one point to the reserves. From February 2004 he played for six months in Spain with Polideportivo Ejido, teaming up with his former Benfica mate José Calado.[5] He returned to his country and Gil shortly after, spending parts of his last season in the Segunda Liga and finishing it again in the top tier, with C.F. Os Belenenses.[6]

For 2007–08, Carlitos joined Vitória S.C. upon the Minho side's return to the top flight. He would only be used regularly in the first year – 22 matches, 11 from the bench – helping to a final third position, but gradually lost his importance in the team.[7] In July 2010 he returned to Gil Vicente, aged 33, appearing in 16 games as the club promoted to the top division[8] and retiring shortly after.

Honours

Gil Vicente

References
  1. Lopes, Octávio (20 February 2000). "Gil Vicente: Carlitos quebra-cabeças" [Gil Vicente: Carlitos the puzzle]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  2. "Carlitos sem conseguir rescindir com Real Madrid" [Carlitos not able to cut ties with Real Madrid]. Record (in Portuguese). 7 August 1999. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  3. "Real Madrid anuncia que Carlitos sai a custo zero" [Real Madrid announce that Carlitos leaves for free]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 June 2000. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  4. "Benfica assegura Carlitos" [Benfica confirm Carlitos]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 June 2000. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  5. "Carlitos parte optimista e sem mágoas" [Carlitos leaves optimistic and with no hard feelings]. Record (in Portuguese). 4 February 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  6. "Carlitos no Belenenses 'fugido' do Marítimo" [Carlitos to Belenenses 'escaped' from Marítimo]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 31 January 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  7. "Carlitos de saída para os Emirados" [Carlitos leaving for the Emirates]. Record (in Portuguese). 23 March 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  8. "Paulo Alves chama 24 para jogo da promoção" [Paulo Alves calls 24 for promotion match]. Record (in Portuguese). 28 May 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
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