1. Early life and youth career
Nuno Gomes was born in Amarante, Portugal. He began his football journey at a young age, developing his skills within various youth academies. From 1987 to 1990, he was part of the Amarante youth system, before moving to Boavista where he continued his development from 1990 to 1994.
His widely recognized nickname, "Gomes," was given to him during his childhood. This moniker was a tribute to Fernando Gomes, a legendary striker for FC Porto who had notably won the European Golden Shoe in both 1983 and 1985, cementing his status as one of Europe's top scorers at the time. This nickname reflected Nuno Gomes's early promise and connection to Portugal's rich footballing heritage.
2. Club career
Nuno Gomes's professional club career spanned several prominent teams in Portugal, Italy, and England, marked by significant goal-scoring and contributions to various titles.
2.1. Boavista
Nuno Gomes established his professional reputation at Boavista, making his Primeira Liga debut in the 1994-95 season at the age of 18. During his time with the club, he showcased his developing skills as a striker. In his final year, the 1996-97 season, he was ranked joint-fourth top scorer in the league. His tenure at Boavista culminated in the capture of his first major silverware: the 1997 Taça de Portugal title, where Boavista famously defeated S.L. Benfica 3-2 in the final. In that decisive match, Gomes scored one goal and earned a penalty kick, playing a pivotal role in his team's victory, despite having already agreed to transfer to Benfica along with fellow scorer Erwin Sánchez.
2.2. Benfica (first spell)
After three seasons with Boavista, Nuno Gomes made his anticipated move to S.L. Benfica in 1997. His initial spell with the Lisbon giants lasted three seasons, from 1997 to 2000, during which he quickly became an integral part of the squad. He demonstrated impressive goal-scoring prowess, particularly in the 1998-99 campaign, where he netted 34 times across all competitions. This prolific scoring helped Benfica secure a third-place finish in the league that season. His impactful performances during this period, especially his exploits at UEFA Euro 2000, attracted significant attention from major European clubs.
2.3. Fiorentina
Following his impressive displays at UEFA Euro 2000, Nuno Gomes secured a transfer to Italian Serie A club ACF Fiorentina for a fee of 17.00 M EUR. His time in Italy began successfully during the 2000-01 season. He won the Coppa Italia with Fiorentina, triumphing over Parma. In the second leg of the final, he scored a crucial goal in a 1-1 draw at home, which allowed his team to clinch the title with a 2-1 aggregate victory. During this season, he formed a successful attacking triangle with his compatriot Rui Costa and Enrico Chiesa, contributing nine goals.
However, his second season at Fiorentina was less successful. The club faced severe financial difficulties, which eventually led to its collapse and subsequent relegation to Serie C2. These circumstances precipitated Nuno Gomes's departure in 2002. Despite receiving attractive offers from other top European clubs like A.C. Milan, Manchester United, and Liverpool, he chose to return to his former club, Benfica, as a free agent on a four-year deal, demonstrating his loyalty and commitment to the Portuguese side during a challenging period for Fiorentina.
2.4. Benfica (second spell)
Nuno Gomes returned to S.L. Benfica in 2002 for his second spell, which lasted until 2011. The initial years of this period were challenging due to a series of injuries that limited his appearances to under 70 games between 2002 and 2005. Despite these setbacks, he continued to contribute to the team's success, helping Benfica win the domestic cup in 2003-04 and the league title in the 2004-05 season, where he scored seven goals in 23 appearances.
His most productive season during this second spell was 2005-06, in which he netted 15 goals in the league, including a brace in an away victory over rivals FC Porto (2-0) and a hat-trick against U.D. Leiria. He finished second in the league's scoring charts that season. He also secured the 2005 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, scoring the only goal against Vitória de Setúbal. On 2 October 2008, Gomes scored his 150th goal for Benfica with a fine header in a UEFA Cup match against SSC Napoli, which Benfica won 2-0 at home (4-3 on aggregate in the aggregate victory).
From 2006-07 onwards, Gomes faced increasing competition for a starting position, particularly after the arrival of Paraguayan striker Óscar Cardozo in the summer of 2007, and later Javier Saviola in June 2009. Although his playing time diminished, he remained a valuable member of the squad. In the 2007-08 season, he finished with nine overall goals and ceremoniously handed the captain's armband to the legendary Rui Costa.
In the 2010-11 season, Gomes, then 34, continued to make the most of the minutes provided by manager Jorge Jesus. On 14 November 2010, he scored his first goal of the season in a 4-0 home win against Naval, marking his 200th goal in the competition, a milestone he dedicated to his father, Joaquim, who had passed away in August. In March 2011, he scored three goals in two consecutive league games-one against Portimonense (1-1 draw) and two in a 5-1 away rout of Paços de Ferreira, often appearing as a late substitute. Nuno Gomes became a literal "face" of the team, playing in 292 official matches and scoring 126 goals during this second spell.
2.5. Braga
On 30 June 2011, Benfica decided not to renew Nuno Gomes's contract, leading to his release. However, the club offered him a position within their managerial structure, to take effect immediately or upon his eventual retirement. Shortly thereafter, he signed a one-year deal with fellow Portuguese top-division club S.C. Braga.
During his only season with the Minho side, Nuno Gomes was primarily utilized as a backup player. Despite limited playing time, he demonstrated his enduring scoring ability, notably netting a brace in a 3-1 home victory against Gil Vicente on 11 September 2011. His presence provided an experienced option for Braga, though he was not a regular starter.
2.6. Blackburn Rovers
On 3 July 2012, Nuno Gomes embarked on his final professional playing spell, signing a two-year deal with Blackburn Rovers F.C. in the EFL Championship (England's second tier). He became the club's third signing of the 2012-13 summer transfer window. He made his league debut for Blackburn on 18 August against Ipswich Town. The following round, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City.
At the age of 36, Nuno Gomes was released by Blackburn Rovers on 28 June 2013, after reaching an agreement with the club to terminate his contract. This marked the end of his professional playing career in club football.
3. International career
Nuno Gomes represented Portugal at every level, accumulating an impressive 143 caps across all youth levels and maintaining an excellent scoring rate throughout his youth career.
3.1. Youth national teams
Gomes played a significant role in Portugal's youth international successes. He helped the under-20s secure third place in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he scored four goals in as many games, including two in the third-place match against Spain. The following year, he participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics with the under-23 squad, helping them achieve a respectable fourth-place finish. He also participated in the 1994 UEFA European Under-18 Championship, which Portugal won.
3.2. Senior national team
Nuno Gomes made his senior international debut for Portugal at the age of 19, in a 1996 friendly match against France.
He rose to international prominence at UEFA Euro 2000, where he finished the tournament with four goals as the national team reached the semi-finals. He scored his first goal in Portugal's opening match, a winner against England in a 3-2 comeback victory. He also scored a brace against Turkey in the quarter-finals and opened the scoring in the semi-final against France. However, following the controversial semi-final defeat to France, Nuno Gomes was handed a seven-month international ban for pushing referee Günter Benkö in protest of a penalty decision. Despite this incident, his performances earned him a selection to the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Gomes played a crucial role in Portugal's qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals in just six matches, including an impressive four goals in a 7-1 away demolition of Andorra. However, he found limited playing time at the final stages of the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, making only two appearances from the bench. On 19 November 2003, he scored his second international hat-trick in just 21 minutes of play against Kuwait in a friendly.
At UEFA Euro 2004, held in Portugal, Gomes had a more impactful role, playing in every game. He notably scored the winning goal against Spain after coming on as a half-time substitute, a goal that sent the host nation through to the quarter-finals.
His participation in the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign was hampered by injuries, limiting him to only four appearances and one goal. At the final stages in Germany, he again found limited playing time but managed to score with a header against hosts Germany in the third-place playoff, which Portugal lost 3-1.
Following the retirement of veteran striker Pauleta, Nuno Gomes was widely expected to become his successor in the national team's primary striker role. He played ten matches and scored three goals in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. At the finals, he captained Portugal and scored against Germany in the quarter-finals. This achievement made him the fourth player in history to score in three consecutive European Championships. He led the team as captain in the absence of the injured Jorge Andrade.
However, after the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as national coach, Gomes was consistently overlooked due to his reduced playing time at Benfica. During the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign, he only participated in four out of 12 fixtures, all as a substitute, with Liédson and Hugo Almeida being preferred. Although he was included in the 50-player preliminary squad, he was ultimately left out of the 23-man squad for the final stages in South Africa, marking the first time he missed a major international tournament.
On 7 October 2011, after more than two years out of international play, the 35-year-old Gomes made a return to the national team, replacing Hélder Postiga in the final minute of a 5-3 home victory over Iceland in a Euro 2012 qualifier. Four days later, he played against Denmark in what would be his last full international appearance. Due to limited playing time for his club during the 2011-12 season, he was ultimately excluded from Paulo Bento's squad for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.
His international career concluded with 79 caps and 29 goals, cementing his place as one of Portugal's most prolific and consistent strikers of his generation.
4. Post-playing career
After his retirement from professional football in 2013, Nuno Gomes remained involved with the sport, particularly with his former club, Benfica. He was appointed director of Benfica's academy, located at the Futebol Campus in Seixal. In this role, he contributed to the development of young talents within the club's renowned youth system. He held this position until September 2017.
5. Personal life
Nuno Gomes is the elder of two brothers; his younger brother, Tiago (born 1981), was also a footballer who played as a striker, primarily in the lower leagues of Portuguese football. Tiago competed in the Segunda Liga with F.C. Marco (two seasons) and Olivais e Moscavide (one season) between 2004 and 2007, making 30 appearances and scoring one goal.
Gomes has been married twice. His first marriage was to Isméria, with whom he had a daughter named Laura, born in 1999. In July 2006, he married Patrícia Aguilar, a lawyer. Together, they have a son, also named Nuno, who was born in July 2010.
Beyond football, Nuno Gomes is known for his popular public image. He is recognized as a "beautiful player" and enjoys significant popularity among both female and gay fans in Portugal. In one poll during Euro 2004, he was ranked second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in popularity among gay fans. He is known for his kindness and respectful interactions with fans and the media. His widespread appeal led to appearances in commercials for brands such as McDonald's and Adidas within Portugal, and he occasionally featured as a guest on non-football television programs. In 2007 and 2008, he topped the male category in a "Sexiest People Ranking" conducted by the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, demonstrating his enduring popularity even after turning 30. He is also a passionate fan of the band U2.
Nuno Gomes was featured on the cover of the Portuguese edition of the video game FIFA Football 2002.
6. Career statistics
6.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup (Includes Taça de Portugal, Coppa Italia, FA Cup) | League cup (Includes Taça da Liga, Football League Cup) | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Boavista | 1994-95 | Primeira Liga | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 4 | 1 | 22 | 2 | |
| 1995-96 | Primeira Liga | 28 | 7 | 2 | 1 | - | 0 | 0 | 30 | 8 | ||
| 1996-97 | Primeira Liga | 34 | 15 | 5 | 4 | - | 6 | 2 | 45 | 21 | ||
| Total | 79 | 23 | 8 | 5 | - | 10 | 3 | 97 | 31 | |||
| Benfica | 1997-98 | Primeira Liga | 33 | 18 | 6 | 4 | - | 1 | 0 | 40 | 22 | |
| 1998-99 | Primeira Liga | 34 | 24 | 2 | 3 | - | 7 | 7 | 43 | 34 | ||
| 1999-2000 | Primeira Liga | 34 | 18 | 2 | 1 | - | 5 | 1 | 41 | 20 | ||
| Total | 101 | 60 | 10 | 8 | - | 13 | 8 | 124 | 76 | |||
| Fiorentina | 2000-01 | Serie A | 30 | 9 | 3 | 4 | - | 0 | 0 | 33 | 13 | |
| 2001-02 | Serie A | 23 | 5 | 1 | 0 | - | 6 | 2 | 31A | 7 | ||
| Total | 53 | 14 | 4 | 4 | - | 6 | 2 | 64 | 20 | |||
| Benfica | 2002-03 | Primeira Liga | 28 | 9 | 1 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 29 | 9 | |
| 2003-04 | Primeira Liga | 21 | 7 | 3 | 0 | - | 5 | 5 | 29 | 12 | ||
| 2004-05 | Primeira Liga | 23 | 7 | 5 | 2 | - | 6 | 3 | 34 | 12 | ||
| 2005-06 | Primeira Liga | 29 | 15 | 4 | 1 | - | 8 | 0 | 42B | 17B | ||
| 2006-07 | Primeira Liga | 24 | 6 | 3 | 3 | - | 14 | 4 | 41 | 13 | ||
| 2007-08 | Primeira Liga | 25 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 36 | 9 | |
| 2008-09 | Primeira Liga | 24 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 9 | |
| 2009-10 | Primeira Liga | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 23 | 4 | |
| 2010-11 | Primeira Liga | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | |
| Total | 193 | 65 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 53 | 15 | 275 | 90 | ||
| Braga | 2011-12 | Primeira Liga | 20 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 6 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 2012-13 | Championship | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 20 | 4 | |
| Career total | 464 | 172 | 49 | 24 | 7 | 2 | 87 | 28 | 609 | 227 | ||
Notes:
A includes one match in the Supercoppa Italiana.
B includes one match and one goal in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
6.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 79 | 29 | |
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gomes goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 June 2000 | Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands | England | 3-2 | 3-2 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 2 | 24 June 2000 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Turkey | 1-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 3 | 24 June 2000 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Turkey | 2-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 4 | 28 June 2000 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | France | 1-0 | 1-2 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 5 | 1 September 2001 | Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra | Andorra | 1-0 | 7-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 1 September 2001 | Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra | Andorra | 3-0 | 7-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 1 September 2001 | Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra | Andorra | 5-1 | 7-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 1 September 2001 | Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Andorra | Andorra | 7-1 | 7-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 5 September 2001 | Antonis Papadopoulos, Larnaca, Cyprus | Cyprus | 1-1 | 3-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 6 October 2001 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal | Estonia | 2-0 | 5-0 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 11 | 6 October 2001 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal | Estonia | 4-0 | 5-0 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 12 | 14 November 2001 | Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal | Angola | 2-1 | 5-1 | Friendly |
| 13 | 14 November 2001 | Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal | Angola | 4-1 | 5-1 | Friendly |
| 14 | 25 May 2002 | Estádio Campo Desportivo, Macau, China | China | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 19 November 2003 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal | Kuwait | 6-0 | 8-0 | Friendly |
| 16 | 19 November 2003 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal | Kuwait | 7-0 | 8-0 | Friendly |
| 17 | 19 November 2003 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal | Kuwait | 8-0 | 8-0 | Friendly |
| 18 | 28 April 2004 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal | Sweden | 2-2 | 2-2 | Friendly |
| 19 | 29 May 2004 | Estádio Municipal de Águeda, Águeda Municipality, Portugal | Luxembourg | 2-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 20 | 5 May 2004 | Estádio do Bonfim, Setúbal, Portugal | Lithuania | 3-1 | 4-1 | Friendly |
| 21 | 20 June 2004 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal | Spain | 1-0 | 1-0 | UEFA Euro 2004 |
| 22 | 26 March 2005 | Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, Barcelos Municipality, Portugal | Canada | 4-1 | 4-1 | Friendly |
| 23 | 8 October 2005 | Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro Municipality, Portugal | Liechtenstein | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2006 World Cup qualification |
| 24 | 8 July 2006 | Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, Germany | Germany | 1-3 | 1-3 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
| 25 | 6 September 2006 | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland | Finland | 1-1 | 1-1 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
| 26 | 11 October 2006 | Stadion Śląski, Chorzów, Poland | Poland | 1-2 | 1-2 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
| 27 | 24 March 2007 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal | Belgium | 1-0 | 4-0 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
| 28 | 26 March 2008 | Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany | Greece | 1-2 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 29 | 19 June 2008 | St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland | Germany | 1-2 | 2-3 | UEFA Euro 2008 |
7. Honours
Nuno Gomes achieved significant success throughout his club and international career, earning numerous team trophies and individual accolades.
Boavista
- Taça de Portugal: 1996-97
Fiorentina
- Coppa Italia: 2000-01
Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2004-05, 2009-10
- Taça de Portugal: 2003-04
- Taça da Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2005
Portugal
- UEFA European Championship
- Runner-up: 2004
- Third-place: 2000
- UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1994
- FIFA U-20 World Cup third place: 1995
- Toulon Tournament third place: 1996
Individual
- Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 1998-99, 1999-2000
- SJPF Player of the Month: September 2005, October 2005
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
- Toulon Tournament top scorer: 1996
Orders
- Order of Infante D. Henrique (OIH)
- Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)
8. Legacy and reception
Nuno Gomes is widely regarded as one of Portugal's most prominent and respected attacking players of his generation. Despite a career that faced challenges due to injuries, his talent and consistent goal-scoring ability were undeniable, earning him a reputation as an excellent striker within Portuguese football.
He is often associated with Portugal's "Golden Generation" of footballers, a group of highly talented players who achieved significant success at both youth and senior international levels, including names such as João Pinto, Luís Figo, Rui Costa, and Vítor Baía. His leadership qualities were recognized by his peers and coaches, leading him to captain the Portuguese national team from 2006 to 2008.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Nuno Gomes cultivated a strong public image. He is known for his polite demeanor and respectful interactions with both the media and fans, which contributed to his widespread popularity. This positive reception extended beyond football circles, as evidenced by his appearance on the cover of the Portuguese edition of the FIFA Football 2002 video game and his consistent high rankings in public popularity polls in Portugal, including being named the "Sexiest Person" in a sports and entertainment poll for two consecutive years (2007 and 2008). His appeal also led to commercial endorsements with major brands like McDonald's and Adidas within Portugal.
9. See also
- List of men's footballers with 500 or more club appearances
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
- List of men's footballers with 200 or more league goals
10. Further reading
- Pereira, António; Pereira, Mário. Nuno Gomes, o menino querido da luz (English: Nuno Gomes, the apple of Estádio da Luz's eye). Cofina Media Books. ISBN 978-972-8996-98-7.
- Gomes, Nuno; Jonatas, Rémulo. Nuno Gomes 21. Ideias e Rumos. ISBN 978-989-95192-8-2.
11. External links
- [http://www.nunogomes.com/ Nuno Gomes Official website]
- [https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/5273/Nuno_Gomes.html Nuno Gomes at National-Football-Teams.com]
- [https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=6996 Nuno Gomes at European Football]
- [https://www.fpf.pt/pt/Jogadores/Jogador/playerId/351195 Nuno Gomes at Portuguese Football Federation]
- [https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=165260/ Nuno Gomes at FIFA.com (archived)]