Miguel Vítor

Miguel Ângelo Leonardo Vítor (Hebrew: מיגל אנז'לו לאונרדו ויטור; born 30 June 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva, where he is also captain, and for the Israel national team.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Leonardo and the second or paternal family name is Vítor.
Miguel Vítor
Vítor with Leicester City in 2011
Personal information
Full name Miguel Ângelo Leonardo Vítor[1]
Date of birth (1989-06-30) 30 June 1989[1]
Place of birth Torres Vedras, Portugal[1]
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Number 4
Youth career
1997–2000 Torreense
2000–2007 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2013 Benfica 24 (0)
2008 → Aves (loan) 7 (0)
2010–2011 → Leicester City (loan) 15 (3)
2012–2013 Benfica B 11 (3)
2013–2016 PAOK 83 (8)
2016– Hapoel Be'er Sheva 156 (15)
International career‡
2006–2007 Portugal U18 8 (3)
2007–2008 Portugal U19 9 (4)
2008–2010 Portugal U21 15 (1)
2011 Portugal U23 1 (0)
2022– Israel 9 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:07, 4 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:18, 14 September 2023 (UTC)

He spent most of his career with Benfica (mostly as backup), PAOK and Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Born in Portugal, Vítor represented Portugal at youth level before switching his allegiance to Israel in 2022.

Club career

Benfica

Vítor was born in Torres Vedras, Lisbon District. Having been promoted from S.L. Benfica's junior squad for the 2007–08 season, he made his debut for the first team in August 2007, appearing in both the Primeira Liga, against Vitória de Guimarães, and the UEFA Champions League, facing F.C. Copenhagen in the third qualifying round; this was because habitual starters Luisão and David Luiz were sidelined with injuries.[2]

Like Romeu Ribeiro, Vítor was loaned to Liga de Honra side C.D. Aves in January 2008 until the end of the season.[3] Subsequently, he returned to Benfica, being relatively used in his first full campaign.[4]

In early July 2010, Vítor joined English Championship club Leicester City in a season-long loan, teaming up with compatriots Moreno and manager Paulo Sousa.[5] He made his debut on 21 September in a 2–1 win over Portsmouth in the third round of the League Cup at Fratton Park.[6] On 6 November he scored his first professional goal, heading from a Martyn Waghorn free kick after 18 minutes in an eventual 2–0 victory against Barnsley at Oakwell.[7]

On 19 December 2010, Vítor suffered a pulled hamstring in a 3–0 away defeat to Ipswich Town, being sidelined for three months.[8] He netted twice on his return, a 3–0 win at Scunthorpe United on 12 March 2011.[9]

Vítor subsequently returned to Benfica, being completely ostracised by manager Jorge Jesus – as practically all Portuguese players – and even being demoted to the B team.[10] After he refused to renew his contract, he left in late May 2013.[11]

PAOK

On 24 June 2013, Vítor signed with Super League Greece club PAOK FC.[12][13] He scored his first goal for his new team – also their first in the new season – on 17 August, netting through a header in a 3–0 home win against Skoda Xanthi FC.[14]

Vítor was first choice during his spell in Thessaloniki, scoring twice in 33 games in the 2014–15 campaign to help his side finish third. On 10 June 2016, it was announced he would be released as his contract would not be renewed.[15]

Hapoel Be'er Sheva

On 1 July 2016, free agent Vítor agreed to a three-year deal at Israeli Premier League champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC, for an undisclosed fee.[16] He won the national championship in his first two seasons, totalling three goals in the process.[17]

Vítor extended his contract in November 2017, to last until 2021.[18] He became captain,[19] and accompanied by compatriots David Simão and Josué Pesqueira, won the State Cup on 13 July 2020 with a 2–0 final victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva FC.[20]

In February 2022, Vítor's link to his club was extended by another year, to June 2023.[21]

International career

Portugal

Vítor earned 33 caps for Portugal at youth levels, starting with a 2–1 win for the under-18s against Ukraine in Montemor-o-Novo on 30 November 2006; he scored the opening goal.[22] His final appearance was his sole game for the under-23 team on 23 March 2011, a 3–2 victory over an Italian Lega Pro XI in Trapani.[23]

Israel

In October 2021, Vítor declared his wish to naturalise himself as an Israeli citizen and to play for the national team, a decision supported by Austrian manager Willibald Ruttensteiner. Israel Football Association chairman Oren Hasson sent the player's official application to the government – the Minister of Culture and Sport Hili Tropper recommended it to the Minister of Interior Ayelet Shaked, who granted Vítor's application to become a citizen on 1 May 2022.[24][25][26]

Vítor's naturalisation was criticised by some in Israel as motivated only by his footballing ability.[27] His case was contrasted with that of African-American Jewish basketball player Jared Armstrong, who was refused citizenship despite his religion and was only given a temporary residency permit.[28]

Vítor made his debut on 2 June 2022 at the age of 32 years and 11 months, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Iceland in the UEFA Nations League.[29]

Personal life

Vítor resided in Israel since 2016, having moved to the country along with his wife and three daughters.[30][31][24]

Career statistics

Club
As of 22 May 2022
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Benfica 2007–08[32] Primeira Liga 2000002[lower-alpha 1]0—40
2008–09[32] Primeira Liga 16010401[lower-alpha 2]0—220
2009–10[32] Primeira Liga 2010003[lower-alpha 3]0—60
2011–12[32] Primeira Liga 3010104[lower-alpha 1]0—90
2012–13[32] Primeira Liga 10000000—10
Total 2403050100—420
Aves (loan) 2007–08[32] Segunda Liga 701000——80
Leicester City (loan) 2010–11[33] Championship 1530020——173
PAOK 2013–14[33] Super League Greece 24440—8[lower-alpha 4]1—365
2014–15[33] 33220—6[lower-alpha 3]0—412
2015–16[33] 26240—8[lower-alpha 3]0—382
Total 838100—221—1159
Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2016–17[33] Israeli Premier League 202000010110313
2017–18[33] 71001061—142
2018–19[33] 91100000—101
2019–20[33] 293410060—394
2020–21[33] 260001071—341
2021–22[33] 335212060—395
Total 1241272403531017117
Career total 252232121106741035229
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

International
As of match played 12 September 2023[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Israel 202250
202340
Total90

Honours

Benfica

PAOK

Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Miguel Vitor" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. "Camacho com treze ausentes" [Camacho without thirteen]. Record (in Portuguese). 6 September 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. "Presidente satisfeito com reforços encarnados" [President happy with red additions]. Record (in Portuguese). 11 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  4. "Miguel Vítor: "Não esperávamos estar só a lutar por esta posição"" [Miguel Vítor: "We were not expecting to be fighting for this place"]. Público (in Portuguese). 15 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  5. "Leicester City complete deal for Benfica's Miguel Vitor". BBC Sport. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  6. "Portsmouth 1–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  7. "Barnsley 0–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  8. "Ipswich 3–0 Leicester". BBC Sport. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  9. "Scunthorpe 0–3 Leicester". BBC Sport. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  10. "Miguel Vítor pouco conta para o técnico" [Miguel Vítor ostracised by manager]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 December 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  11. "Miguel Vítor de saída" [Miguel Vítor leaving]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 25 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  12. "Κοντά σε συμφωνία με τον Miguel Vítor" [Agreement in principle with Miguel Vítor] (in Greek). PAOK FC. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  13. "Miguel Vítor a caminho do PAOK" [Miguel Vítor on his way to PAOK] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  14. "Grécia: Miguel Vítor marca na vitória do PAOK" [Greece: Miguel Vítor scores in PAOK win]. Record (in Portuguese). 17 August 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  15. Sountoulidis, Stavros (10 June 2016). Τέλος οριστικά ο Βίτορ από τον ΠΑΟΚ [The end for Miguel Vítor at PAOK] (in Greek). Gazzetta. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  16. "Miguel Vítor vai jogar no campeão de Israel" [Miguel Vítor will play in Israel champions] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  17. Esteves, Adérito (13 June 2018). ""Sinto-me mais seguro em Israel do que noutro país da Europa"" ["I feel safer in Israel than in any other country in Europe"] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  18. Aguiar, Fábio (2 November 2017). "Israel: Miguel Vítor renova contrato com o Hapoel Beer Sheva" [Israel: Miguel Vítor renews contract with Hapoel Be'er Sheva]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  19. Timóteo, Joana (13 July 2020). "Torriense Miguel Vítor levanta a Taça de Israel" [Torres Vedras native Miguel Vítor lifts the Israeli Cup] (in Portuguese). On FM. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  20. "VÍDEO: Josué, Miguel Vítor e David Simão vencem Taça de Israel" [VIDEO: Josué, Miguel Vítor and David Simão win the Israeli Cup] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  21. "OFICIAL: Miguel Vítor renova pelo Hapoel Beer Sheva" [OFFICIAL: Miguel Vítor renews for Hapoel Beer Sheva] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  22. "Sub-18: Portugal vence Ucrânia por 2–1" [Under-18s: Portugal defeat Ukraine 2–1]. Record (in Portuguese). 30 November 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  23. Mazzara, Niki (23 March 2011). "Calcio, la Nazionale sconfitta dal Portogallo" [Football, national team defeated by Portugal] (in Italian). Trapani Oggi. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  24. Peshchetsky, Moti (28 October 2021). "פיתרון להגנה? רוטנשטיינר בדק אפשרות לאזרח את מיגל ויטור – ספורט 5" [A defensive solution? Ruttensteiner checked on Miguel Vítor's naturalisation status] (in Hebrew). Sports Channel. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  25. Peshchetsky, Moti (1 May 2022). "משרד הפנים אישר: מיגל ויטור יקבל אזרחות – ספורט 5" [Ministry of Interior confirmed: Miguel Vítor will be granted citizenship] (in Hebrew). Sports Channel. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  26. "ויטור: "מאושר שאחגוג את עצמאות כישראלי" – ספורט 5" [Vítor: "Happy to be recognised as an Israeli"] (in Hebrew). Sports Channel. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  27. "Portuguese soccer player Miguel Vitor's play for Israeli citizenship – editorial". The Jerusalem Post. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  28. Lapin, Andrew (9 May 2022). "Israel grants basketball player Jared Armstrong temporary residence". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  29. Silva, Flávio Miguel (2 June 2022). "Miguel Vítor estreou-se a titular e com um empate pela seleção de Israel" [Miguel Vítor made debut for Israel national team with start and a draw]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  30. Marques, Sara (21 September 2016). "Miguel Vítor entre as metralhadoras e os agradecimentos na rua" [Miguel Vítor between machine guns and being thanked in the street] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  31. "Na sexta época no Hapoel Beer Sheva, Miguel Vítor obtém nacionalidade israelita" [In sixth season at Hapoel Beer Sheva, Miguel Vítor is granted Israeli citizenship]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 2 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  32. Miguel Vítor at ForaDeJogo (archived)
  33. Miguel Vítor at Soccerway
  34. "Miguel Vítor". European Football. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  35. "Miguel Vítor com mais força para lutar por um lugar" [Miguel Vítor with renewed strength to fight for a place] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  36. "Who makes our Europa League team of the week?". UEFA. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  37. Gellar, Raphael (16 September 2016). "Hapoel Beer Sheva's Miguel Vitor & Maccabi Tel Aviv's Haris Medunjanin both made Europa League team of the week". Twitter. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  38. "Israel: Miguel Vítor eleito o melhor jogador do campeonato" [Israel: Miguel Vítor voted championship's best player] (in Portuguese). Sábado. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
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