Rolando (footballer)

Rolando Jorge Pires da Fonseca (born 31 August 1985), known simply as Rolando, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a central defender.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Pires and the second or paternal family name is Fonseca.

Rolando
Rolando playing for Anderlecht
Personal information
Full name Rolando Jorge Pires da Fonseca[1]
Date of birth (1985-08-31) 31 August 1985[1]
Place of birth São Vicente, Cape Verde[1]
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1999–2003 Campomaiorense
2003–2004 Belenenses
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 Belenenses 97 (7)
2008–2015 Porto 112 (7)
2013 → Napoli (loan) 7 (0)
2013–2014 → Inter Milan (loan) 29 (4)
2015 → Anderlecht (loan) 4 (0)
2015–2019 Marseille 90 (6)
2020–2022 Braga 13 (0)
International career
2006–2007 Portugal U21 7 (0)
2009–2018 Portugal 21 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Bronze medal – third place2012 Poland-Ukraine
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 April 2021

He played 222 Primeira Liga games for Belenenses, Porto and Braga, winning several honours including the league, Taça de Portugal and Europa League treble with the second club in 2011. Abroad, he played on loan for Napoli and Inter Milan in Italy and Anderlecht in Belgium, and spent four years in France with Marseille.

Rolando was part of the Portugal squads at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, reaching the semi-finals in the latter tournament and earning 21 caps.

Club career

Belenenses

Rolando was born in São Vicente, Cape Verde. After beginning his career in the youth ranks of lowly S.C. Campomaiorense, he finished his development with Lisbon's C.F. Os Belenenses, which he joined at the age of 18. In his Primeira Liga debut, on 28 August 2004, he played 90 minutes and scored a goal in a 3–0 home win against C.S. Marítimo.[2]

Rolando went on to become an essential defensive figure onwards, appearing in all 30 games in the 2007–08 season as the team finished in eighth place.

Porto

On 15 April 2008, FC Porto confirmed that Rolando had agreed to part ways with Belenenses and join them on a four-year contract.[3][4] In his first season he quickly beat competition from veteran Pedro Emanuel, partnering Bruno Alves in the centre[5] and netting three times[6][7][8] in 28 matches as the northerners won the league and the domestic cup. In the summer of 2009, the club acquired an additional 10% of his economic rights and the player also extended his link until 30 June 2014.[9]

In 2010–11, Rolando rarely missed a game for Porto who won another national championship. On 17 February 2011 he opened the score at Sevilla FC through a header, in an eventual 2–1 win in the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League,[10] which ended in conquest.[11]

Rolando started 2011–12 in scoring fashion, netting both goals in the Portuguese Supercup, a 2–1 victory over Vitória S.C. in Aveiro.[12] On 30 January 2013, completely ostracised by manager Vítor Pereira as practically all Portuguese players, he was transferred to SSC Napoli of the Serie A, being loaned until June.[13]

On 10 August 2013, Inter Milan confirmed the signing of Rolando in a season-long loan, for €600,000.[14][15] He scored his first goal for the side on 27 October, contributing to a 4–2 home defeat of Hellas Verona FC.[16]

In February 2015, after spending the first half of the new campaign ousted from the squad due to a run-in with the board of directors after he refused to join the team's pre-season,[17][18] Rolando was loaned to R.S.C. Anderlecht until June.[19]

Marseille

On 1 September 2015, Rolando was signed by Olympique de Marseille.[20] His playtime was initially cut short, as the replacement to head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Míchel, saw little use in him, and was eventually transfer listed by Franck Passi after his first season in France.[21]

However, Rolando returned to the squad under the newly appointed Rudi Garcia,[22] becoming an integral part of the team's defense[23] and notably contributing to a 0–0 away draw to title holders Paris Saint-Germain FC.[24] On 3 May 2018, brought from the bench for Morgan Sanson in extra time, he scored in the dying minutes of the Europa League semi-finals against FC Red Bull Salzburg for a 2–1 away loss and 3–2 aggregate win.[25]

Braga

Rolando returned to his country of adoption on 27 February 2020, with the 34-year-old free agent joining S.C. Braga – coached by his former Belenenses teammate Rúben Amorim – on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[26] He finished 2020–21 as a cup winner, scoring the opening goal of a 5–0 home win over S.C.U. Torreense in the last 16.[27]

Braga sought to offload Rolando before the 2021–22 season, but he turned down all available offers due to his high wage demands. He was completely frozen out by manager Carlos Carvalhal for the last year of his contract, despite long-term injuries to David Carmo and Nuno Sequeira in the backline.[28]

Rolando left the Estádio Municipal de Braga in July 2022, with only 16 competitive appearances to his credit.[29]

International career
Rolando (right) playing against Argentina in February 2011.

Although born in Cape Verde, Rolando moved to Portugal aged 14 and became a naturalised citizen in 2006. He immediately started playing for the nation's under-21s, for whom he appeared at the 2006[30] and 2007 UEFA European Championships.[31]

On 11 February 2009, Rolando was first called up to the full side, playing 90 minutes in a friendly match with Finland in Faro (1–0 win).[32] He was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa,[33] but did not leave the bench.

At UEFA Euro 2012, Rolando made three appearances for the semi-finalists, all as a late substitute.[34][35][36] After a four-year international absence, he returned to the international fold for a friendly against Egypt in March 2018.[37] He was named in a preliminary 35-man squad for the year's World Cup weeks later,[38] but did not make the final cut.[39]

Career statistics

Club
As of 26 May 2019[40][41]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Belenenses 2004–05 Primeira Liga 16200——162
2005–06 25300——253
2006–07 26000——260
2007–08 3020020—322
Total 977002000997
Porto 2008–09 Primeira Liga 2834010100424
2009–10 283727110436
2010–11 2906115210513
2011–12 261208012373
2012–13 1000000010
Total 11271934043217416
Napoli (loan) 2012–13 Serie A 700020—90
Inter Milan (loan) 2013–14 Serie A 29400——294
Anderlecht (loan) 2014–15 Belgian Pro League 40202020100
Marseille 2015–16 Ligue 1 1915050—291
2016–17 30450——354
2017–18 31130121—462
2018–19 1002010—130
Total 906150181001237
Career total 339243636455244434

International
Portugal[42]
YearAppsGoals
200960
201020
201140
201260
201410
201820
Total210

Honours
Rolando (left, kneeling behind Hulk) during Porto's run to the Europa League title in 2010–11

Porto

Anderlecht

Marseille

Braga

References
  1. "Rolando" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  2. "Portugal/Futebol: Superliga – Sporting começa com vitória" [Portugal/Football: Superleague – Sporting start with win] (in Portuguese). Angola Press News Agency. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. "Porto sign Belenenses defender". FIFA. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
  4. "Porto lure Rolando away from Lisbon". UEFA. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  5. "Jesualdo em Alvalade sem os 11 titulares" [Jesualdo in Alvalade without the 11 starters] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  6. "Campeão explica por que é o melhor" [Champions explain why they are the best]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 5 April 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  7. "Benquerença ajuda dragões a golear" [Benquerença helps in dragon rout]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 20 April 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  8. "Passeio na ilha anuncia o tetra" [Island sight-seeing announces the tetra]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 4 May 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  9. "Relatório e contas 2009/2010" [Report and finance 2009/2010] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  10. Bryan, Paul (17 February 2011). "Guarín gives Porto narrow win in Seville". UEFA. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  11. "Falcao doet Porto zegevieren in Europa League" [Falcao makes Porto prevail in Europa League] (in Dutch). Sporza. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  12. Kundert, Tom (7 August 2011). "Rolando double fires Porto to Super Cup triumph". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  13. "Ufficiale: Rolando e Radosevic al Napoli. Ceduti Uvini al Siena e Fernandez al Getafe" [Official: Rolando and Radosevic to Napoli. Loaned Uvini to Siena and Fernandez to Getafe] (in Italian). S.S.C. Napoli. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  14. "Rolando bolsters Nerazzurri rearguard". Inter Milan. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  15. F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2014 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  16. Clari, Valerio (27 October 2013). "Inter 4–2 Verona. The goals came from Palacio, Cambiasso, Rolando and an own goal by Moras". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  17. "Lei Webster não garante saída a Rolando" [Webster Act does not guarantee Rolando departure] (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  18. Gonçalves, Igor (3 December 2014). "FC Porto dificulta saída de Rolando" [FC Porto make it hard for Rolando to leave]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  19. "Rolando Jorge Pires Fonseca to RSCA!". R.S.C. Anderlecht. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  20. "Rolando: "L'OM, mon cadeau d'anniversaire"" [Rolando: "L’OM, my birthday present"] (in French). Olympique Marseille. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  21. "Marseille transfer list Romain Alessandrini & Rolando". Get French Football News. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  22. Holyman, Ian (20 October 2016). "Marseille appoint Rudi Garcia as new coach on three-year contract". ESPN FC. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  23. Lyttleton, Ben (21 November 2016). "Rolando taking advantage of second chance at Marseille". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  24. "Paris Saint-Germain held to goalless draw by Marseille in Le Classique". Eurosport. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  25. "FC Red Bull Salzburg 2–1 Marseille". BBC Sport. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  26. "Braga confirma contratação de Rolando" [Braga confirm signing of Rolando]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  27. "SC Braga goleia Torreense e segue em frente na Taça de Portugal. Veja os golos" [SC Braga thrash Torreense and advance in the Portuguese Cup. See the goals] (in Portuguese). TSF. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  28. Rocha, Pedro (5 January 2022). "Rolando é um caso perdido no Braga: vai cumprir contrato sem competir" [Rolando is a lost case at Braga: he will complete his contract without competing]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  29. Andrade, Tomaz (1 July 2022). "Rolando deixa o Braga com apenas 16 jogos ao fim de 855 dias" [Rolando leaves Braga with just 16 games after 855 days]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  30. "Portugal perde por 1–0 com França na estreia" [Portugal lose 1–0 to France in debut] (in Portuguese). TSF. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  31. "Portugal-Itália, 0–0 (3–4 gp)" [Portugal-Italy, 0–0 (3–4 pk)]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 June 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  32. "Portugal vence Finlândia 1–0 em jogo particular" [Portugal beat Finland 1–0 in friendly game]. Açoriano Oriental (in Portuguese). 11 February 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  33. "World Cup 2010: Pepe named in Portugal squad". BBC Sport. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  34. "Euro 2012: Denmark 2–3 Portugal – Late Varela goal gives Portugal hope". The Scotsman. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  35. "Euro 2012: Ronaldo delivers for Portugal as chaotic Netherlands crash out". Belfast Telegraph. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  36. Bonesteel, Matt (21 June 2012). "Euro 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo sends Portugal to the semifinals with 1–0 win over Czech Republic". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  37. Kundert, Tom (18 March 2018). "Rolando gets surprise call-up for Portugal". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  38. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  39. "Nearly half Portugal's Euro squad to miss World Cup". Special Broadcasting Service. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  40. Rolando at ForaDeJogo (archived)
  41. Rolando at Soccerway
  42. "Rolando". European Football. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  43. Hafez, Shamoon (16 May 2018). "Marseille 0–0 Atlético Madrid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  44. Ribeiro, Patrick (23 May 2021). "Braga beat nine-man Benfica to lift Portuguese Cup". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
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