Américo, historic FC Porto goalkeeper and one of the ‘skinny’ ones, has died

2023-09-23 01:07:00

Américo Ferreira Lopes, “former legend of the Porto goals”, died this Friday, aged 90, informed FC Porto, in statement published on the club’s website.

“He was the last survivor of the team that won the Calabote championship in 1958/59. He leaves a Dragon of excellence, an idol of several generations and a living testimony of loyalty and perseverance in his love for FC Porto, a club to which all life was connected and will remain so, for sure”, reads the note from the dragons.

An example of love for FC Porto and courage in goal. See you forever, Américo! We will tell your stories pic.twitter.com/Wlnn7Zn0Zr

– FC Porto (@FCPorto) September 22, 2023

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Born in Santa Maria de Lamas, in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, Américo joined FC Porto “through the youth team and soon stood out for the confidence with which he defended the blue and white goal”.

He played his first official game for the blue and whites in December 1952, the year the Estádio das Antas was inaugurated.

“After a loan to Boavista and having completed military service, Américo settled in Antas from 1958/59 – the year in which he played a game and became national champion – and became the undisputed starter from 1961 /62 and until 1968/69. It was enough time to become a club legend”, recalls FC Porto, offering “the most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family”.

Américo “was awarded the first edition of the Baliza de Prata award, intended for the best national goalkeeper, in 1964”

Wearing the FC Porto shirt, he won one edition of the Portuguese League and another of the Portuguese Cup, having been awarded the Pinga Trophy in 1966 and the Golden Dragon of the Year in 2017.

He was capped by the national team 15 times, having been part of the squad for the quinas team that “participated in the 1966 World Cup in England”, which included Eusébio, António Simões, Mário Coluna, José Augusto, among others. Team that became known as the “skinny guys”.

The club recalls an interview with Américo in 2017, with Mais Futebol, in which he spoke of his love for FC Porto. “I look back and I know it was good,” he said at the time. “I was courageous, I dived at the feet of the strikers, I stuck my head where they put their boots. I was one of the best of my generation, maybe the best.”

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