Miguelito (footballer, born 1981)


José Miguel Organista Simões Aguiar, known as Miguelito, is a retired Portuguese footballer. A speedy player, he could operate as defender or midfielder on the left side of the pitch.
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 220 games and seven goals over the course of ten seasons, representing in the competition Rio Ave, Nacional, Benfica, Braga, Marítimo, Belenenses, and Vitória de Setúbal. He also competed professionally in Cyprus, in a 17-year career.

Club career

Born in Póvoa de Varzim, Miguelito joined neighbouring Rio Ave FC's youth at the age of 10. He broke into the first team eight years later, contributing with 26 games in the 2002–03 campaign as the club returned to the Primeira Liga after a three-year absence, as champions.
Transferred to Madeira's C.D. Nacional in summer 2005, Miguelito went on to be considered of one of the best left wingers in the Portuguese top division. After an impressive season, in which he did not miss one match as the Madeira side qualified to the UEFA Cup, he was bought by S.L. Benfica on 22 August 2006, having previously been voted the league's best defender by newspaper Record.
Midway through 2007–08, after having managed just three appearances in Portuguese League Cup, being barred by former Brazilian international Léo, Miguelito joined S.C. Braga in January, on loan. In August, he was released by Benfica and joined C.S. Marítimo, which had just qualified to the UEFA Cup.
After a good first season, Miguelito fell out of favour and was inclusively demoted to the B-team. In late January 2010, he moved on loan to C.F. Os Belenenses.

Personal life

Miguelito's younger brother, Sérgio Organista, was also a footballer. A youth product of FC Porto, he went on to represent, among others, Pontevedra CF.

Honours

Rio Ave
Moreirense