Player Profile: Nuno Gomes

May 9th, 2006 | by: Luis Paulo |

A striker who works tirelessly for his team-mates, Nuno Gomes’s star shone bright at Euro2000 but he has experienced mixed fortunes since.

Born in north-west Portugal, Nuno Gomes established his reputation with Boavista FC, where he made his debut in the 1994/95 season. He collected his first silverware as Boavista beat SL Benfica to lift the Portuguese Cup in 1997. He was on target in the final and scored 15 league goals that term – enough to earn a transfer to Benfica.

Nuno Gomes After three seasons at the Estádio da Luz, during which he scored 60 league goals in 101 appearances, his Euro2000 exploits earned him a €17m move to AC Fiorentina. He won the Coppa Italia in his first season, before Fiorentina’s financial collapse precipitated his return to Benfica. But a series of niggling injuries hampered his homecoming, although he grew in strength and confidence as the season progressed and was an impressive performer in the Portuguese Cup final victory against FC Porto.

Having represented Portugal at every level from Under-15 upwards, he made his senior international debut aged 19 in a 1996 friendly against France. Scored for his country at that summer’s Atlanta Olympic Games but had to wait four years for his first full international goal. The timing could hardly have been better: in Portugal’s opening match at Euro2000he marked his fourth start with the winner in a 3-2 victory against England. Scored four goals overall as Portugal reached the last four but earned a seven-month international ban after pushing referee Günter Benko following the semi-final defeat by France. He scored once as Portugal made the Euro 04 final and has since been in and out of the starting eleven. In Germany he might sit on the bench, waiting for the opportunity to score his goals.

However since the 04/05 season he is been curtailed by a lack of fitness that saw him complete just six of the 23 games he started. He nevertheless scored seven goals as Benfica claimed their long-awaited 31st title. This year he was hunted by injuries in the end of the season, but he will be fit to play in Germany.

Tags: Benfica, Nuno Gomes, Player Profile, Portugal

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Comments

By Pedro P | May 9th, 2006 at 10:56 am

Nuno Gomes has been a “lucky star” for us… He doesn’t score as much as Pauleta when playing for his club, but while Pauleta scores little when it counts, this guy has used us to jumping from the bench and make the critical goal…

When compared to Pauleta, I’d say in a more portuguese tradition of strikers (which doesn’t mean much per se), he likes to participate in the game itself a bit more. Bringing the ball to the box, rather than being in the box and scoring.

I hope he keeps his star and that he scores more than usual!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By soze | May 9th, 2006 at 12:01 pm

I like watching Nuno play. He plays with heart and his presence on the pitch lifts his team-mates to play with heart. I rank him next to Figo in his ability to rally Portugal during a bad game.

Pauletta does score for his club but has been a dissapointment to you internationally. Maybe he should just stick to kicking Acorean cheese. I like Pauletta almost as much as I like Petit. Both useless for your country.

By Luis | May 9th, 2006 at 2:21 pm

Nuno and Postiga up front. Postiga is a sneaky bastard in the box and Nuno brings it home when it counts.

Pauleta will score! Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By kennedy | May 9th, 2006 at 6:23 pm

At the high level for the NT he- has scored big goals and after he scored against spain in ER 2004 , I deciced to name my son who was on the way at the time – NUNO which did not go well with my wife’s side of the family which( greek). poor saps.
By the way I’s not even a benfica fan.
When he is on the pitch,I just have a sense that at any time , somehow in critical situations he comes through. Chao

Posted from Canada

By Portuguese Final Roster - FIFA World Cup 2006 - Portugal World Cup Team Blog | May 15th, 2006 at 3:27 pm

[...] Fowards: Helder Postiga (Saint Etiènne/FRA) Nuno Gomes(Benfica) Pauleta (PSG/FRA) [...]

Posted from United States

By Bjorn | June 2nd, 2006 at 3:46 am

Hello

Will Gomes play from start in the World Cup?

Love to see him play

Posted from Sweden

By silvia | June 10th, 2006 at 5:49 am

i bet Nuno Gomes is gonna shine this world cup
Forca Portugal

By Penny | June 10th, 2006 at 12:22 pm

Nuno gomes is going to play really well in this world cup. There are going to be loads of surprises this year.
Portugal rules!!!!

By fira | June 14th, 2006 at 10:43 am

Love 2 c my favorite portugal player play in this world cup 2006.

Posted from Indonesia

By Anna | June 17th, 2006 at 8:44 pm

Why oh why doesn’t Nuno Gomes play?? He is so good! I love Portugal Their team is the best! But Nuno I find better then Pauleta and I really would like to see him in the next match!
Kisses for every player from Portugal!

Posted from Poland

By Aniyah | June 20th, 2006 at 2:31 pm

Please!!! Let him play against Mexico! Please!!! I love him so much!!!

Posted from Poland

By ciara | July 6th, 2006 at 11:09 am

I love Portugal and without Ireland in the WC this year I have been supporting them all the way. I dont understand though why they did not play Nuno Gomez last night. Surely he would have helped them to score in the 2nd half, he is great for scoring when it counts?! why is he playing for them so little?

Posted from Ireland

By CrYpTo | July 7th, 2006 at 3:27 am

PORTUGAL MAY NOT HAVE TAKEN HOME THE TROPHY BUT THEY SURELY TOOK HOME THE GLORY!!!! ***PASSION AND STRENGTH***

Posted from Bermuda

By Bobo Z | July 7th, 2006 at 10:52 am

i think Nuno gomes should have played alongside pauleta. that would have damaged the french defence in the semifinals (germany 2006). its poor scolari didnt give gomes the oppourtunity to display his ability. Hope to see gomes in premiership…..

Posted from Israel