Fernando Chalana

Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana (Portuguese pronunciation: [fɨɾˈnɐ̃du ʃɐˈlɐnɐ]; 10 February 1959 – 10 August 2022) was a Portuguese football player and manager.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Sousa and the second or paternal family name is Chalana.
Fernando Chalana
Personal information
Full name Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana
Date of birth (1959-02-10)10 February 1959
Place of birth Barreiro, Portugal
Date of death 10 August 2022(2022-08-10) (aged 63)
Place of death Lisbon, Portugal
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1973–1974 Barreirense
1974–1976 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1984 Benfica 193 (33)
1984–1987 Bordeaux 22 (2)
1987–1990 Benfica 32 (4)
1990–1991 Belenenses 14 (0)
1991–1992 Estrela Amadora 9 (1)
Total 270 (40)
International career
1976–1988 Portugal 27 (2)
Managerial career
2002 Benfica (caretaker)
2003–2004 Paços Ferreira (assistant)
2004–2005 Oriental
2005–2009 Benfica (assistant)
2008 Benfica (caretaker)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Bronze medal – third place1984 France
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Widely regarded as one of the greatest talents of his era in Portuguese football, the diminutive left winger's main asset was his ball control and dribbling skills.[1]

His career, highly troubled by injuries, was mainly spent at Benfica,[2] where he also later worked as a manager. Prior to his physical problems, he helped Portugal reach the semi-finals at Euro 1984.

Playing career

Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at F.C. Barreirense, then moved to Lisbon neighbours S.L. Benfica in 1974, where he established himself the following eight years, scoring and assisting alike as he helped them conquer, amongst other accolades, five Primeira Liga and three Taça de Portugal trophies.[3][4]

Aged only 17 (fourth youngest ever), on 17 November 1976, Chalana won his first cap for Portugal, against Denmark for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – at that age, he became Benfica's youngest player to score a goal at the Estádio da Luz.[5] The peak of his career took place precisely on the international front, at UEFA Euro 1984, in France. There, the Little Genius[6] was one of the team's leading figures, excelling in dribbling throughout the tournament, notably in the 3–2 semi-final loss against the hosts, setting up both goals for Rui Jordão.[7][8]

Moving to a club in that country after the tournament, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Chalana failed to impress over three full seasons, mainly due to persistent injuries.[9] In 1987 he returned to Benfica, never being able to reproduce his previous form; his last international appearance was a friendly with Sweden on 12 November 1988, which finished with a goalless draw.[10]

Chalana wrapped his career at 33, with one season apiece with Lisbon-based sides C.F. Os Belenenses and C.F. Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division.[11]

Coaching career

In 1999–2000, Chalana was at the helm of Benfica's juniors, winning the national championship.[3] He had his first senior coaching experience four years later, assisting at modest F.C. Paços de Ferreira[12] in a top-flight relegation as 17th.[13]

The following years, Chalana served as assistant to several managers at Benfica.[14] However, in March 2008 he replaced José Antonio Camacho after the Spaniard was dismissed.[15] In 2002, he had already had a one-game spell as interim, filling in for the dismissed Jesualdo Ferreira – days before precisely Camacho arrived; in that match he placed winger Miguel as a right-back, where he ultimately gained worldwide recognition.[16][17]

After one more season as assistant, now to Quique Sánchez Flores,[18] Chalana returned to the junior side.

Personal life and death

Other than his main nickname, Chalana was also dubbed Chalanix (as his moustache resembled that of comic character Asterix).[19][20]

He died on 10 August 2022 at the age of 63, due to degenerative disease.[21][22]

Career statistics
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Chalana goal.
List of international goals scored by Fernando Chalana
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition[23]
15 December 1976Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus Cyprus1–02–11978 World Cup qualification
216 November 1977Estádio de São Luís, Faro, Portugal Cyprus2–04–01978 World Cup qualification

Honours

Benfica

Bordeaux

Individual

References
  1. Fernandes, Nuno (18 November 2019). "Chalana. O génio humilde e altruísta que cabia no grande Benfica dos anos 60" [Chalana. The humble and selfless genius who had a place in the great Benfica of the 60s]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  2. Coelho, João Nuno; Pinheiro, Francisco (November 2002). A Paixão do Povo (in Portuguese) (816 ed.). Portugal: Edições Afrontamento. p. 575. ISBN 972-36-0624-0.
  3. "Chalana: Uma nova etapa na vida do benfiquista "genial"" [Chalana: New lease of life for "genius" Benfica man] (in Portuguese). F.C. Barreirense. 4 January 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  4. "100 anos: Fernando Chalana" [100 years: Fernando Chalana]. Record (in Portuguese). 30 October 2003. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. "Renato Sanches é o mais novo do século a marcar na Luz" [Renato Sanches is the youngest of the century to score at the Luz] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  6. "Portugal classic recalled". UEFA. 25 January 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  7. "Platini faz a diferença em meia-final de sonho" [Platini makes the difference in dream semi-final] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  8. Harrold, Michael (24 June 2008). "EURO's greatest games" (in Portuguese). UEFA. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  9. Sota, Xavier (14 March 2013). "Fernando Chalana de retour à Bordeaux" [Fernando Chalana returns to Bordeaux]. Sud-Ouest (in French). Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  10. Pierrend, José Luis. "Portugal – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  11. "Chalana, a um passo do cume" [Chalana, nearing the summit]. Record (in Portuguese). 28 June 2000. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  12. "José Gomes e Chalana a caminho do Paços Ferreira" [José Gomes and Chalana on their way to Paços Ferreira] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 30 May 2003. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  13. "Presidente pode passar pasta a António Oliveira" [President may pass chores onto António Oliveira]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 April 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  14. "Chalana na equipa técnica do Benfica" [Chalana in Benfica' coaching staff] (in Portuguese). TVI 24. 17 June 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  15. "Chalana fills in at Benfica helm". UEFA. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  16. "Miguel: "Só não jogo à baliza"" [Miguel: "I play everywhere but in goal"]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 February 2003. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  17. "Miguel: Lateral dinâmico e rápido" [Miguel: Dynamic and quick fullback]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 June 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  18. "Chalana e Diamantino ficam" [Chalana and Diamantino stay] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  19. Malheiro, João (July 2006). Memorial Benfica 100 Glórias [Benfica Memorial, 100 glories] (in Portuguese) (Third ed.). QuidNovi. pp. 38–40. ISBN 978-972-8998-26-4.
  20. Matias, Jorge Miguel (12 March 2008). "Chalana aposta tudo na mística" [Chalana bets everything on mystique]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  21. "Morreu Fernando Chalana" [Fernando Chalana has died] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  22. "Morreu Fernando Chalana, o Pequeno Genial" [Death of Fernando Chalana, Little Genius]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  23. "Chalana". European Football. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  24. "Especial 'Tetra'" ['Tetra' special edition]. Mística (in Portuguese). No. 33. Portugal: Impresa. April–June 2017. p. 84. ISSN 3846-0823.
  25. "Bicampeões para a história" [Back-to-back champions for the ages]. Visão (in Portuguese). Portugal: Impresa. May 2015. p. 54. ISSN 0872-3540.
  26. Conceição Silva, Rui Manuel. "Portugal – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  27. Courtney, Barrie. "European Championships – UEFA Teams of Tournament". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 January 2023.

Further reading
  • Lopes, Luís (2008). Os Magníficos: Chalana, o pequeno génio [The Magnificents: Chalana, the little genius] (First ed.). QuidNovi. ISBN 978-989-554-508-7.
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