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Wikipedia / Fernando Chalana

Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana (; 10 February 1959 – 10 August 2022) was a Portuguese football player and manager.

Chalana was recognized by Portuguese media as a talented left winger whose assets included his ball control and dribbling.

His career, highly troubled by injuries, was mainly spent at Benfica, where he also later worked as a manager. Prior to his physical problems, he helped Portugal reach the semi-finals at Euro 1984.

Playing career

Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at Barreirense. He then moved to Lisbon neighbours Benfica in 1974, where he established himself. Over the following eight years he was renowned for scoring and assisting. In this way he helped Benfica achieve great conquer accolades, including five Primeira Liga and three Taça de Portugal trophies.

Aged only 17 (fourth youngest ever), Chalana won his first cap on 17 November 1976 for Portugal, against Denmark. It was a group-qualifier for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – at that age, he became Benfica's youngest player to score a goal at the Estádio da Luz. The peak of his career occurred internationally at UEFA Euro 1984 in France. There, the Little Genius was one of the team's leading figures, excelling in dribbling throughout the tournament, notably in the 3–2 semi-final loss against the hosts. He set up both goals for Rui Jordão. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough, as Michel Platini crowned the occasion to score the winning goal.

Moving to a club in that country after the tournament, Bordeaux, Chalana failed to impress over three full seasons, mainly due to persistent injuries. In 1987, he returned to Benfica, never being able to reproduce his previous form; his last international appearance was a friendly with Sweden on 12 November 1988, which finished with a goalless draw.

Chalana wrapped his career at 33, with one season apiece with Lisbon-based sides Belenenses and Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division.

Coaching career

In 1999–2000, Chalana was at the helm of Benfica's juniors, winning the national championship. He had his first senior coaching experience four years later, assisting at Paços de Ferreira in a top-flight relegation as 17th.

The following years, Chalana served as assistant to several managers at Benfica. However, in March 2008 he replaced José Antonio Camacho after the Spaniard was dismissed. In 2002, he had already had a one-game spell as interim, filling in for the dismissed Jesualdo Ferreira – days before precisely Camacho arrived; in that match he placed winger Miguel as a right-back, where he ultimately gained worldwide recognition.

After one more season as assistant, now to Quique Sánchez Flores, Chalana returned to the junior side.

Personal life and death

Other than his main nickname, Chalana was also dubbed Chalanix (as his moustache resembled that of comic character Asterix).

He died on 10 August 2022 at the age of 63, due to degenerative disease.

Career statistics

  1. Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Chalana goal.

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Honours

Benfica

Bordeaux

Individual

References

Further reading