As the saying goes, one man’s loss is another man’s gain, and Portugal’s Ruben Amorim stands as perfect proof. The Benfica star earned a last-minute call-up to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup™ finals on the back of an injury to the unfortunate Nani. Now opportunity knocks for the all-action midfielder to take a bow on football’s greatest stage.
In fact, 2010 has been a memorable year for Amorim. Although never a regular starter for Benfica under coach Jorge Jesus, his versatility and consistency ensured that he played a key role in helping the Lisbon club to the Portuguese title and the Portuguese League Cup, catching the eye of national coach Carlos Queiroz in the process.
As yet uncapped at senior level, Amorim has steadily made his way through the national junior ranks. Domestically, he made his name with Belenenses, after starting his professional career with Benfica, and enjoying a brief spell with capital rivals Sporting. The midfielder spent five years with the men from Belem, his outstanding form eventually earning him a dream move to his boyhood club at the start of the 2008/09 campaign.
He immediately won a starting berth at the Stadium of Light although his first season ended without silverware. But Amorim will be hoping that the golden touch that has been the hallmark of his trophy-laden season will not desert him in South Africa, where he will represent the Portuguese champions along with left-back Fabio Coentrao.
