Mozambican footballer
Martinho Martins Mukana (born 5 July 1982), known as Paíto, is a Mozambican former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Club career
Born in Maputo, Paíto began his senior career at Sporting CP. He became a regular in the 2004–05 season after being granted Portuguese citizenship[2] and, on 26 January 2005, scored his only goal for the Lions in a 3–3 draw against S.L. Benfica in the sixth round of the Taça de Portugal (penalty shootout loss), in a solo effort.[3]
After the arrival in January 2006, on loan from Valencia CF, of Portuguese international Marco Caneira, Paíto was deemed surplus to requirements and left, also loaned, to Vitória de Guimarães.[4][5] He was an undisputed starter during his short tenure, as the Minho team eventually dropped down a level.[6]
Purchased by La Liga club RCD Mallorca, Paíto immediately returned to Portugal, being loaned to S.C. Braga for the duration of the campaign.[7] Released by the Balearic Islands side without making any official appearances, he joined FC Sion on a three-year contract.[8]
After three solid seasons in the Swiss Super League, Paíto stayed in Switzerland, signing with fellow league team Neuchâtel Xamax FCS.[9] After the latter went bankrupt, in January 2012 he joined FC Vaslui from Romania, reuniting with former Sporting coach Augusto Inácio.[10]
Paíto spent the first half of the following campaign without a club, signing in early January 2013 with Skoda Xanthi FC. He made his Super League Greece debut on the 27th, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away win over PAOK FC.[11]
International career
Paíto started representing Mozambique at age 20. He was recalled in April for the 2002 COSAFA Cup, nearly two years after his last international.[12] Additionally, he took part in the 2003 COSAFA Cup,[13] the 2006 FIFA World Cup 2006 World Cup qualification, the 2004 COSAFA Cup,[14] 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Personal life
Paíto's son, Edson, was also a professional footballer.[15]
Honours
Sporting CP
Sion
References
External links
- Paíto at ForaDeJogo (archived)
- Paíto at National-Football-Teams.com
- Paíto – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Paíto at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
- Paíto at Soccerway