David Simão
{{short description|Portuguese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Portuguese name|Martins|Simão}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = David Simão
|image =
|fullname = David Martins Simão{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/david-simao/boavista/1581-0-37944|title=David Simão|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=17 April 2020}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|5|15|df=y}}
|birth_place = Versailles, France
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub = Arouca
|clubnumber = 5
|youthyears1 = 1998–2000 | youthclubs1 = Abóboda
|youthyears2 = 2000–2009 | youthclubs2 = Benfica
|years1 = 2008–2013 | clubs1 = Benfica | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2009–2010 | clubs2 = → Fátima (loan) | caps2 = 25 | goals2 = 5
|years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = → Paços Ferreira (loan) | caps3 = 25 | goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2012 | clubs4 = → Académica (loan) | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2012–2013 | clubs5 = → Marítimo (loan) | caps5 = 26 | goals5 = 4
|years6 = 2013–2016 | clubs6 = Arouca | caps6 = 79 | goals6 = 11
|years7 = 2016–2017 | clubs7 = CSKA Sofia | caps7 = 24 | goals7 = 3
|years8 = 2017–2019 | clubs8 = Boavista | caps8 = 40 | goals8 = 2
|years9 = 2019 | clubs9 = Antwerp | caps9 = 12 | goals9 = 0
|years10 = 2019–2021 | clubs10 = AEK Athens | caps10 = 4 | goals10 = 0
|years11 = 2020 | clubs11 = → Hapoel Be'er Sheva (loan) | caps11 = 10 | goals11 = 0
|years12 = 2021 | clubs12 = → Moreirense (loan) | caps12 = 16 | goals12 = 0
|years13 = 2022– | clubs13 = Arouca | caps13 = 102 | goals13 = 2
|totalcaps = | totalgoals =
|nationalyears1 = 2006 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U16 | nationalcaps1 = 8 | nationalgoals1 = 1
|nationalyears2 = 2006–2007 | nationalteam2 = Portugal U17 | nationalcaps2 = 11 | nationalgoals2 = 1
|nationalyears3 = 2007–2008 | nationalteam3 = Portugal U18 | nationalcaps3 = 7 | nationalgoals3 = 2
|nationalyears4 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam4 = Portugal U19 | nationalcaps4 = 8 | nationalgoals4 = 1
|nationalyears5 = 2010 | nationalteam5 = Portugal U20 | nationalcaps5 = 5 | nationalgoals5 = 3
|nationalyears6 = 2010–2012 | nationalteam6 = Portugal U21 | nationalcaps6 = 11 | nationalgoals6 = 1
|club-update = 18:41, 18 May 2025 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update =
}}
David Martins Simão (born 15 May 1990) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Arouca.
Club career
Born in Versailles, Yvelines, France, Simão played most of his youth career at S.L. Benfica, having arrived at the age of 10 from Grupo Instrução Musical Desportiva Abóboda.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/jovens-da-formacao-confirmados-na-pre-epoca-701508.html|title=Jovens da formação confirmados na pré-época|trans-title=Youth system players confirmed in pre-season|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=9 June 2011|access-date=7 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://tribunaexpresso.pt/a-casa-as-costas/2020-08-01-O-Jesus-dava-muitas-duras-ao-Matic-ao-Jardel-ao-Nelson-Oliveira-por-fechar-os-olhos-e-encher-o-pe.-Ao-Aimar-dizia-Ja-sabes-tudo|title="O Jesus dava muitas duras ao Matíc, ao Jardel, ao Nelson Oliveira por fechar os olhos e encher o pé. Ao Aimar dizia: ‘Já sabes tudo’"|trans-title="Jesus gave Matic, Jardel and Nelson Oliveira several earfuls, the latter for closing his eyes and shooting it into next week. To Aimar he said: 'You know everything'"|newspaper=Expresso|first=Alexandra|last=Simões de Abreu|language=pt|date=1 August 2020|access-date=5 December 2021}} On 19 January 2008, he was called to the first team for a Taça de Portugal tie against C.D. Feirense, courtesy of manager José Antonio Camacho,{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica-leo-falha-taca-por-lesao-katsouranis-volta-apos-castigo|title=Benfica: Léo falha Taça por lesão; Katsouranis volta após castigo|trans-title=Benfica: Léo misses Cup due to injury; Katsouranis returns after penalty|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Catarina|last=Machado|language=pt|date=18 January 2008|access-date=5 December 2021}} and was also picked for both UEFA Cup round-of-16 matches against Getafe CF,{{cite news|url=https://expresso.pt/desporto/benfica-em-campo-por-camacho=f259892#gs.kEUYtU4|title=Benfica em campo "por Camacho"|trans-title=Benfica take the field "for Camacho"|newspaper=Expresso|first=Ricardo|last=Capela|language=pt|date=6 March 2008|access-date=17 April 2020}} not being used however in any of the three fixtures.
Simão made his professional debut with C.D. Fátima, on loan, his first appearance being against C.D. Santa Clara in the 2009–10 season opener in the Segunda Liga, a 1–0 away loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/190680|title=Santa Clara 1 – Fátima 0 MINUTO A MINUTO|trans-title=Santa Clara 1 – Fátima 0 MINUTE BY MINUTE|newspaper=Açoriano Oriental|language=pt|date=16 August 2009|access-date=9 April 2018}} On 26 September 2009, he scored his first goal for the side, in a 1–1 away draw to Gil Vicente FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/gil-vicente/detalhe/gil-vicente-fatima-1-1-oportunidade-perdida.html|title=Gil Vicente-Fátima, 1–1: Oportunidade perdida|trans-title=Gil Vicente-Fátima, 1–1: Missed chance|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=26 September 2009|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072235/http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/gil-vicente/detalhe/gil-vicente-fatima-1-1-oportunidade-perdida.html|archive-date=10 April 2018}}
On 17 June 2010, Simão moved to F.C. Paços de Ferreira, still on loan.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica-empresta-promessa-ao-pacos-de-ferreira|title=Benfica empresta promessa ao Paços de Ferreira|trans-title=Benfica loan prospect to Paços de Ferreira|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Vítor Hugo|last=Alvarenga|language=pt|date=18 June 2010|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171649/http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica-empresta-promessa-ao-pacos-de-ferreira|archive-date=14 June 2018}} He made his Primeira Liga debut on 14 August in a 1–0 home win over Sporting CP,{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/sporting/pacos-de-ferreira-1-0-sporting-final_d367814|title=Paços de Ferreira 1–0 Sporting (final)|trans-title=Paços de Ferreira 1–0 Sporting (end)|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|first=Pedro|last=Araújo Pina|language=pt|date=14 August 2010|access-date=9 April 2018}} and only missed five league games (19 starts, 2,051 minutes of action) during the campaign as the team finished in seventh position.
Simão returned to Benfica for 2011–12 but, deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jorge Jesus, he moved to fellow top-tier Académica de Coimbra again on loan, on 17 January 2012.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica-empresta-david-simao-a-academica|title=Benfica empresta David Simão à Académica|trans-title=Benfica loan David Simão to Académica|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Francisco|last=Frederico|language=pt|date=17 January 2012|access-date=5 December 2021}} He scored his first goal for his new club on 26 March, netting from 40 yards in a 2–1 defeat at S.C. Braga.{{cite web|url=http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/32329-braga-seize-title-race-initiative|title=Braga seize title race initiative|publisher=PortuGOAL|language=pt|date=26 March 2012|access-date=28 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025190029/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/32329-braga-seize-title-race-initiative|archive-date=25 October 2017}}
On 31 July 2012, Simão was loaned to C.S. Marítimo in a season-long move.{{cite news|url=http://abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=344868|title=Benfica empresta David Simão ao Maritimo|trans-title=Benfica loan David Simão to Maritimo|newspaper=A Bola|first=Miguel|last=Mendes|language=pt|date=31 July 2012|access-date=31 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802190654/http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=344868|archive-date=2 August 2012}} He terminated his contract with Benfica late into June of the following year, and signed a three-year deal with F.C. Arouca also in the top flight.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/arouca-david-simao-e-reforco-por-tres-epocas|title=Arouca: David Simão é reforço por três épocas|trans-title=David Simão is an addition for three seasons|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Francisco|last=Frederico|language=pt|date=26 June 2013|access-date=5 December 2021}}
Aged 26, Simão moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) club PFC CSKA Sofia for three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/bulgaria-david-simao-assina-pelo-cska-sofia|title=Bulgária: David Simão assina pelo CSKA Sófia|trans-title=Bulgaria: David Simão signs for CSKA Sofia|newspaper=Record|first=Fábio|last=Lima|language=pt|date=5 July 2016|access-date=5 December 2021}} On 28 May 2017, he netted twice in The Eternal Derby to help overcome PFC Levski Sofia 3–0,{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/bulgaria-david-simao-bisa-e-cska-vence-levski.html|title=Bulgária: David Simão bisa e CSKA vence Levski|trans-title=Bulgária: David Simão scores brace and CSKA beat Levski|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=28 May 2017|access-date=28 June 2017}} but left on 31 August of that year{{cite web|url=http://cska.bg/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=4861|title=Давид Симао вече не е част от ЦСКА|trans-title=David Simão is no longer part of CSKA|publisher=CSKA Sofia|language=bg|date=31 August 2017|access-date=31 August 2017}} to immediately sign with Boavista FC.{{cite web|url=http://www.boavistafc.pt/pt/noticias/go/0/david-simao-assina-pelo-boavista|title=David Simão assina pelo Boavista|trans-title=David Simão signs for Boavista|publisher=Boavista F.C.|language=pt|date=31 August 2017|access-date=1 September 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422135412/https://www.boavistafc.pt/pt/noticias/go/0/david-simao-assina-pelo-boavista|archive-date=22 April 2019}}
Simão moved teams and countries again in January 2019, agreeing to a contract at Royal Antwerp F.C. of the Belgian Pro League.{{cite web|url=http://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/377693/antwerp-zonder-onmisbare-pion-tegen-standard|title=Antwerp zonder onmisbare pion tegen Standard|trans-title=Antwerp without an indispensable pawn against Standard|publisher=Voetbal Nieuws|language=nl|date=25 January 2019|access-date=30 January 2019}} On 22 June, he switched to the Super League Greece with AEK Athens FC, signing until 2022 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.aekfc.gr/newsdetails/paiktis-tis-aek-o-ntavint-simao-122935.htm?lang=en&path=-1609363328|title=David Simao joins AEK FC until 2022|publisher=AEK Athens F.C.|date=22 June 2019|access-date=23 June 2019}}
In February 2020, Simão was loaned to Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC. He and compatriots Miguel Vítor and Josué Pesqueira won the Israeli State Cup on 13 July with a 2–0 final victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva FC.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/made-in/josue-pesqueira/video-josue-miguel-vitor-e-david-simao-vencem-taca-de-israel|title=VÍDEO: Josué, Miguel Vítor e David Simão vencem Taça de Israel|trans-title=VIDEO: Josué, Miguel Vítor and David Simão win the Israeli Cup|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=13 July 2020|access-date=23 December 2020}}
Simão returned to Arouca on 10 January 2022, on a deal running until June 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/arouca/detalhe/david-simao-regressa-a-casa|title=David Simão regressa a casa|trans-title=David Simão returns home|newspaper=Record|first=Pedro|last=Marques dos Santos|language=pt|date=11 January 2022|access-date=15 April 2024}}
Personal life
Simão's older brother, Bruno, was also a footballer, in the defender position.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/bruno-simao-esta-ha-seis-anos-no-estrangeiro-e-nao-pensa-em-regressar_d553265|title=Bruno Simão está há seis anos no estrangeiro e não pensa em regressar|trans-title=Bruno Simão has been abroad for six years and he does not think of coming back|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|first1=José Carlos|last1=Lopes|first2=Marcos|last2=Celso|language=pt|date=13 May 2012|access-date=28 June 2017}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 27 May 2023}}{{Soccerway|david-martins-simao/89928}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| Benfica
|0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fátima (loan)
|25 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 29 | 5 | |
| Paços Ferreira (loan)
|rowspan="6"|Primeira Liga |25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 1 | |
| Académica (loan)
|11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 1 | |
| Marítimo (loan)
|26 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
| rowspan="4"|Arouca
|29 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 5 | |
| 2014–15
|32 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 36 | 3 | |
| 2015–16
|18 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 23 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!79 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 12 |
| rowspan="3"|CSKA Sofia
|rowspan="2"|Bulgarian First League |22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 22 | 3 | ||
| 2017–18
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| rowspan="3"|Boavista
|rowspan="2"|Primeira Liga |27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 27 | 1 | |
| 2018–19
|13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 16 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!40 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 2 |
| Antwerp
|12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|AEK Athens
|rowspan="2"|Super League Greece |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2020–21
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva (loan)
|10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |
| Moreirense (loan)
|rowspan="3"|Primeira Liga |16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Arouca
|15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | |
| 2022–23
|31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!46 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 1 |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!318 | 27 | 23 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 371 | 29 |
Honours
Académica
- Taça de Portugal: 2011–12{{cite web|url=http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-portuguese-cup-news/33587-cup-final-sporting-v-academica|title=Académica shock Sporting to lift Portuguese Cup|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=19 May 2012|access-date=14 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102122918/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-portuguese-cup-news/33587-cup-final-sporting-v-academica|archive-date=2 November 2013}}
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Individual
- SJPF Young Player of the Month: December 2012, January 2013{{cite news|url=http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=381738|title=David Simão recebeu prémio de melhor jogador jovem|trans-title=David Simão receives award for best young player|newspaper=A Bola|language=pt|date=10 February 2013|access-date=13 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212212538/http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=381738|archive-date=12 February 2013}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{ForaDeJogo}}
- {{FPF national player|594167}}
{{F.C. Arouca squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simao, David}}
Category:Portuguese people of French descent
Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
Category:Portuguese men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Versailles, Yvelines
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Liga Portugal 2 players
Category:S.L. Benfica footballers
Category:F.C. Paços de Ferreira players
Category:Académica de Coimbra (football) players
Category:C.S. Marítimo players
Category:Boavista F.C. players
Category:Moreirense F.C. players
Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:PFC CSKA Sofia players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Royal Antwerp F.C. players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:AEK Athens F.C. players
Category:Israeli Premier League players
Category:Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. players
Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers
Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Belgium