Vicente Lucas

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Vicente

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Vicente da Fonseca Lucas

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1935|9|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Lourenço Marques, Mozambique

| height =

| position = Centre-back

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1954–1967 | clubs1 = Belenenses | caps1 = 286 | goals1 = 12

| nationalyears1 = 1959–1966 | nationalteam1 = Portugal | nationalcaps1 = 20 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| manageryears1 = 1979−1980 | managerclubs1 = Amiense

| manageryears2 = 1980−1981 | managerclubs2 = Sesimbra

| manageryears3 = 1990 | managerclubs3 = Belenenses

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{medal|Country|{{fb|POR}}}}

}}

Vicente da Fonseca Lucas (born 24 September 1935), known simply as Vicente, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a central defender.

Playing career

Born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique, Vicente spent 13 seasons in the Primeira Liga with C.F. Os Belenenses, making his debut in 1954 and winning the Taça de Portugal six years later. He earned 20 caps for Portugal,{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/lista-completa-dos-internacionais-portugueses|title=Lista completa dos internacionais portugueses|trans-title=Complete list of Portuguese internationals|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=18 February 2004|access-date=23 October 2023}} his debut coming on 3 June 1959 in a 1–0 win against Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://belematemorrer.blogspot.com/2007/09/o-grande-lucas-vicente-o-homem-que.html|title=Parabéns Vicente.|trans-title=Happy birthday Vicente.|publisher=Belém até Morrer|language=pt|date=24 September 2007|access-date=8 February 2012}}

Vicente was picked for the squad that appeared in the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. As his team went on to finish in third position, he played all the group stage matches plus the 5–3 quarter-final win against North Korea;{{cite news|url=https://expresso.pt/desporto/2016-07-13-A-lenda-dos-Magricos-comecou-ha-50-anos|title=A lenda dos Magriços começou há 50 anos|trans-title=The legend of the Magriços started 50 years ago|newspaper=Expresso|first1=Paulo|last1=Paixão|first2=José Pedro|last2=Castanheira|language=pt|date=13 July 2016|access-date=9 April 2020}} he was accused of fouling Pelé in the 3–1 group phase victory over Brazil, when it was in fact his teammate João Morais who was responsible.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/portugal-brasil-as-mil-versoes-da-historia-da-marcacao-de-morais-a-pele-em-66|title=Portugal-Brasil: as mil versões da história da marcação de Morais a Pelé, em 66|trans-title=Portugal-Brazil: the thousand versions of the story of Morais' marking of Pelé, in 66|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Berta|last=Rodrigues|language=pt|date=27 March 2003|access-date=26 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ifhof.com/hof/pele.asp|title=Pelé|publisher=International Football Hall of Fame|access-date=5 April 2008}}

Vicente quit football after the World Cup due to a serious eye injury after a piece of glass hit the organ in a car accident, aged 31.{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/edicao-do-dia/19-ago-2018/se-cortas-ou-roubas-a-bola-ao-pele-tens-o-curriculo-feito-mas-eu-fui-mais-do-que-isso-9736169.html|title="Se cortas ou roubas a bola ao Pelé tens o currículo feito, mas eu fui mais do que isso"|trans-title="If you tackle Pelé or strip him of the ball you pretty much got it made, but I was more than that"|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|first=Isaura|last=Almeida|language=pt|date=19 August 2018|access-date=23 October 2023}} He was remembered for several perfect markings of the best players of his time without making any foul, and was cited by Pelé as the greatest defender that he ever played against.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/mundial/mundial-2014/detalhe/vicente-era-o-proprio-pele-a-dar-me-os-parabens-881022|title=Vicente: "Era o próprio Pelé a dar-me os parabéns"|trans-title=Vicente: "Pelé himself would congratulate me"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=3 May 2014|access-date=23 October 2023}}

Coaching career

From 1979 to 1981, Vicente coached in the fourth division, spending one season apiece with Clube Desportivo Amiense and G.D. Sesimbra. In 1990–91, he was one of four managers as his beloved Belenenses could not avoid top-flight relegation – he was in charge for only one game, a 2–1 defeat.

Personal life

Vicente's older brother, Sebastião, was also a footballer. A striker, he played 13 years with Belenenses (sharing teams with his sibling during ten), and also represented the Portugal national team.{{cite web|url=http://osbelenenses.blogspot.com/2009/05/grande-vicente.html|title=Grande Vicente!|trans-title=Great Vicente!|publisher=Os Belenenses Blogspot|language=pt|date=27 May 2009|access-date=15 December 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/1864/matateu-e-vicente-dois-irmaos-na-historia-de-um-clube-centenario--11315093.html|title=Matateu e Vicente. Dois irmãos na história de um Belenenses centenário|trans-title=Matateu and Vicente. Two brothers in the history of centenary Belenenses|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|first=Nuno|last=Fernandes|language=pt|date=22 September 2019|access-date=23 October 2023}}