António Lima Pereira

António José Lima Pereira (born 1 February 1952 in Póvoa de Varzim) is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.

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Club career

Lima Pereira started playing professionally for hometown side Varzim Sport Clube, making his first division debuts in the 1976–77 season, aged 24. Two years later, he signed with national powerhouse F.C. Porto, where he would remain the following 11 seasons.

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 1–2. Aged already 34/35, he also appeared in the club'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 outfit, second level's F.C. Maia, retiring 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

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.

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