|
Contact Mantorras |
| Full Name: | Mantorras |
Get that fuzzy feeling inside...
|
The World Game - Found Oct. 1, 2009 In a recent radio interview, Angola and Benfica striker Pedro 'Mantorras' Manuel said: 'The biggest star in our side is our coach.' Responding... |
|
Portugoal.net - Found Sep. 3, 2009 Nuno Gomes is return to goals and dont forgot the Benfica talismanic Mantorras. This is a good move for Fred Adu. |
|
Portugoal.net - Found Aug. 15, 2009 Patric, Urretavizcaya and Mantorras not included As the Liga Sagres has already got underway, Benfica have issued out their list of who will be |
|
AllAfrica.com - Found Aug. 5, 2009 ... the other colleagues that play abroad such as Kali, Rui Marques, Ze Kalanga, André Makanga, Mantorras, Flávio, Mateus Galiano, Gilberto and... |
|
World Soccer - Found Aug. 11, 2009 Saviola and Cardozo are expected to get the nod ahead of Nuno Gomes and Mantorras. |
|
Africa Leader - Found Aug. 5, 2009 ... the other colleagues that play abroad such as Kali, Rui Marques, Ze Kalanga, André Makanga, Mantorras, Flávio, Mateus Galiano, Gilberto and... |
|
Mantorras
|
| Mantorras | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pedro Manuel Torres | |
| Date of birth | March 18, 1982 | |
| Place of birth | Huambo, Angola | |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Benfica | |
| Number | 9 | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1999–2001 2001– |
Alverca Benfica |
31 (10) 111 (38) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2001– | Angola | 17 (4) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Pedro Manuel Torres (born 18 March 1982 in Huambo), commonly known as Mantorras, is an Angolan footballer who currently plays for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division, as a striker.
His nickname derives from the fact that, as a child, he suffered slight accidental burns, being then known as "Man torras", from the Angolan expression "Mano Torras," which means "Toasted brother." His professional career has also blighted by constant injury problems.1
Contents |
Mantorras started his career as a professional footballer in Angola, at Progresso do Sambizanga. He quickly caught the eye of Portuguese scouts, and transferred to F.C. Alverca shortly thereafter, as that club acted also as Sport Lisboa e Benfica's feeder club. Most notably, Mantorras scored a hat-trick in a surprising 4-1 home win over Sporting Clube de Portugal.
At only 19, Mantorras signed with Benfica, making a particularly good impression during his first season at the club. He was then sought out by FC Barcelona and also refused an offer from Inter Milan in Italy. During the player's quick rise to stardom, he was frequently described as the best best player to come out of Portuguese Africa since Eusébio left Mozambique for Benfica in the early 1960s. Eusébio himself said of the youngster that, "He has special qualities and is set for a great future."
In 2002, Mantorras suffered a serious knee injury that almost put an end to his short career.23 He spent approximately two-and-a-half years recovering, during which he was subject to four surgical procedures.1 He returned to the pitch during the 2004–05 season, and managed to contribute sufficiently as the Ãguias ended an 11-year drought and won the national championship, with five goals in only 15 matches (four of those in the final two months).45
Even though he was subsequently deemed to be fully recovered, Mantorras failed to re-establish himself as a first team player, playing only in a few games throughout the next seasons combined. However, he remained a favorite with the club's supporters, additionally stating he would like to see out his career at Benfica, and that he would remain in the club even if he was not paid a salary.6
He was part of the Angolan national team that was the first ever African Portuguese-speaking country to qualify for the World Cup in 2006.
Mantorras did not forget his humble roots: soon after joining Benfica, he turned his thoughts to the less fortunate in his homeland, promising to donate a hefty percentage of his wages to set up a home for street kids in Luanda.
"I feel so sorry for children in Angola," he stated. "I know what it's like to go hungry and to sleep on the street. My father died when I was three months old and my mother when I was 16. I had a brother to look after and became the head of the family [when I was] very young. I had a lot of difficulties early in my life. Now that my fortunes have improved, I'm going to do what I can to help the underprivileged."
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps + Minutes Played | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Alverca | 1999-00 | 5 . 122 mins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2000–01 | 26 . 1814 mins | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 9 | |
| Benfica | 2001–02 | 30 . 2580 mins | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 13 |
| 2002–03 | 8 . 550 mins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2003–04 | 0 . 0 mins | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | |
| 2004–05 | 15 . 379 mins | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2005–06 | 17 . 302 mins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2006–07 | 17 . 295 mins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | 9 . 145 mins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 | 5 . 62 mins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total (Portugal) | 132 . 6249 mins | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 6 | |
| Career Total | 132 . 6249 mins | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 6 | |
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||