Emílio Peixe

Playing career Born in Nazaré, Peixe emerged from Sporting CP's prolific youth ranks, making his first-team debut shortly after another club great, Luís Figo. In the summer of 1991, already firmly established in the starting XI, he was essential in helping the Portuguese under-20s to win the FIFA World Cup in Lisbon, where he also received the Golden Ball.

After helping Sporting, with Figo, to conquer the 1995 Taça de Portugal, Peixe moved abroad to Sevilla, accompanying coach Toni. However, grossly unsettled, he left in the immediate winter transfer window, returning to the Lions, but he never regained his previous form.

Peixe then played five seasons at Porto, with a six-month loan spell with Alverca in between. He retired in June 2004, after unassuming one-season stints with Benfica and União Leiria.

Also internationally, Peixe earned 12 caps with the full side, all between 18 and 20 years old. He also helped Portugal to a fourth-place finish at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Coaching career Peixe returned to the national team in 2008, being charged with coaching the under-16s. In the following years, he worked with several of its youth sides, as both head coach and assistant manager.

Both Peixe and Rui Bento left the Portuguese Football Federation set-up in August 2022 to take the helm at Kuwait's Olympic and senior teams, respectively.

Honours Sporting CP Taça de Portugal: 1994–95

Porto Primeira Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99 Taça de Portugal: 1999–00, 2000–01 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1999

Portugal FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1991 UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1989 FIFA U-16 World Cup third place: 1989 UEFA Under-18 Championship runner-up: 1990

Individual FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 1991