Abílio Novais

Abílio António Gomes Novais (born 24 August 1967), known simply as Abílio as a player, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is currently manager of Valadares Gaia FC.

Over the course of 13 seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 342 matches and 46 goals, mainly at Salgueiros.

Club career Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto District, Abílio competed in the Primeira Liga from 1988 to 2001, starting by playing all 38 games for Leixões S.C. as the season ended in relegation. He nonetheless signed for FC Porto, being rarely used during his tenure as he was acquired to be a right-back and was barred in that position by legendary João Pinto, and subsequently joined S.C. Salgueiros.

Abílio totalled 26 league goals for Salgueiros in his last four years, then moved to S.C. Campomaiorense and C.D. Aves, retiring in 2003 at the age of 36 with his first club Leixões, in the third division. He subsequently started working as a manager.

Personal life Novais' son, João, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He too played for Leixões.