Paulo Jorge Pedro Lopes (born 29 June 1978) is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is the current head coach of Benfica's under-23 team.
In June 2002, Lopes was released by Benfica. He alternated between the main division and the Segunda Liga the following decade, notably achieving top-tier promotions with C.D. Trofense (2007–08)[6] and C.D. Feirense (2010–11);[7][2] during his stint with the former, on 4 January 2009, he was on goal to help the hosts defeat his parent club 2–0,[8] in a relegation-ending season.[9]
Lopes returned to the Estádio da Luz in the summer of 2012, aged 34.[10] He went on to act as third goalkeeper under several managers, collecting three league winners' medals by appearing in matches after his team had already been crowned champions;[11][12][13] he made his competitive debut on 18 October 2012, in a 4–0 away win over S.C. Freamunde in the third round of the Taça de Portugal.[2]
Coaching career
Lopes retired at the end of the 2017–18 campaign, being immediately appointed goalkeeper coach of Benfica's newly created under-23 team.[14][15] On 16 January 2019, in the same capacity, he joined the reserve side.[16]
On 6 July 2023, Lopes became the new manager of Benfica's under-23.[17]
^Costa Nunes, Miguel (20 February 2000). "Sporting: Acosta lutador isolado" [Sporting: Acosta the lonesome fighter]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 October 2017.
^Cunha, Pedro Jorge (4 January 2009). "Trofense-Benfica, 2–0 (destaques)" [Trofense-Benfica, 2–0 (highlights)]. Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 October 2017.