1968–1971 Varzim Role Footballer Years Team Height 1.87 m | 1971–1978 Varzim Name Antonio Pereira | |
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Full name Antonio Jose Lima Pereira Date of birth (1952-02-01) 1 February 1952 (age 63) Place of birth Povoa de Varzim, Portugal | ||
António José Lima Pereira (born 1 February 1952) is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.
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Club career
Born in Póvoa de Varzim, Lima Pereira started playing professionally for hometown club Varzim SC, making his Primeira Liga debuts in the 1976–77 season at the age of 24. Two years later he signed with FC Porto, where he would remain the following 11 campaigns.
In the league alone, Pereira amassed totals of 189 games and eight goals, winning four national championships, two domestic cups and four Supercups. He also reached the final of the 1983–84 European Cup Winners' Cup as Porto lost to Juventus F.C. 1–2. Aged already 34/35, he also appeared in the team's victorious campaign in the European Cup in 1986–87, although he did not play in the final against FC Bayern Munich.
In 1989, Lima Pereira left Porto and signed for another northern side, second level's F.C. Maia, retiring after two seasons at the age of 39.
International career
Lima Pereira gained 20 caps for Portugal, the first arriving in 1981 at 29. He was a participant at UEFA Euro 1984, helping the national team reach the semifinals in France.
Personal life
Pereira's younger brothers, António (born 1966) and Paulo (1967), were also professional footballers and defenders. Both started their careers at Varzim, and their second main clubs were F.C. Felgueiras and Rio Ave FC, amassing first division totals of 33 and 113 games respectively.