Xeka
{{short description|Portuguese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Portuguese name|Silva|Rocha}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Xeka
| image = RC Lens - Lille OSC (17-09-2021) 44.jpg
| upright = 0.7
| caption = Xeka playing for Lille in 2021
| full_name = Miguel Ângelo da Silva Rocha{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/xeka/sp-braga/1578-600-44706|title=Xeka|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=9 May 2021}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|11|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Rebordosa, Portugal
| height = 1.86 m{{cite web|url=https://www.losc.fr/joueur/lille-xeka-2021-2022|title=Xeka|publisher=Lille OSC|language=fr|access-date=19 February 2022}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Estoril
| clubnumber = 88
| youthyears1 = 2003–2007 | youthclubs1 = Paços Ferreira
| youthyears2 = 2007–2011 | youthclubs2 = Gondomar
| youthyears3 = 2011–2012 | youthclubs3 = Valencia
| youthyears4 = 2012–2013 | youthclubs4 = Paços Ferreira
| years1 = 2013–2017 | clubs1 = Braga B | caps1 = 28 | goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2014–2016 | clubs2 = → Covilhã (loan) | caps2 = 39 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2016–2017 | clubs3 = Braga | caps3 = 11 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2017 | clubs4 = → Lille (loan) | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2017–2022 | clubs5 = Lille | caps5 = 101 | goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2017–2018 | clubs6 = → Dijon (loan) | caps6 = 17 | goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2019 | clubs7 = Lille II | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2022–2023 | clubs8 = Rennes | caps8 = 8 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2024 | clubs9 = Al Sadd | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2024– | clubs10 = Estoril | caps10 = 14 | goals10 = 1
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| nationalyears1 = 2014 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U20 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 00:44, 6 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Miguel Ângelo da Silva Rocha (born 10 November 1994), known as Xeka ({{IPA|pt|ˈʃɛkɐ}}), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Estoril.
Formed at Braga, he spent most of his career in France, playing for Lille, Dijon and Rennes in Ligue 1 and winning the league with the first of those teams in 2020–21 while making 144 total appearances.
Club career
=Braga=
Born in Rebordosa, Paredes,{{cite web|url=https://novumnoticias.pt/2021/05/25/camara-de-paredes-homenageia-xeka-jogador-do-lille-que-se-sagrou-campeao-de-franca/|title=Câmara de Paredes homenageia Xeka jogador do Lille que se sagrou campeão de França|trans-title=Paredes city hall honours Xeka Lille player who was crowned French champion|publisher=Novum Notícias|first=Miguel|last=Sousa|language=pt|date=25 May 2021|access-date=24 March 2022}} Xeka received his nickname from his grandfather for being the youngest of his siblings, just like him.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/braga/noticias/nasce-uma-estrela-em-nome-do-avo-5463666.html|title=Nasce uma estrela em nome do avô|trans-title=A star is born in the name of the grandfather|newspaper=O Jogo|first=Pedro|last=Marques Costa|language=pt|date=26 October 2016|access-date=20 June 2022}} He played youth football with three clubs, including Valencia CF from Spain until the age of 17.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/de-gondomar-a-valencia-miguel-xeca-che-aos-16-anos|title=De Gondomar a Valência: Miguel Xeca, "ché" aos 16 anos|trans-title=From Gondomar to Valencia: Miguel Xeca, "che" at the age of 16|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Pedro Jorge|last=Cunha|language=pt|date=17 October 2011|access-date=26 February 2021}} Having returned to his homeland, he started playing as a senior with S.C. Braga's reserves in the Segunda Liga, being then loaned for two years to S.C. Covilhã of the same league.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/segunda-liga/artigos/nove-jogadores-de-saida-do-sp-covilha|title=Nove jogadores de saída do Sp. Covilhã|trans-title=Nine players leaving Sp. Covilhã|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=19 May 2016|access-date=18 August 2017}} On 23 September 2013, whilst at the service of the former side, he scored his first goal in competition, but in a 1–3 home loss against S.L. Benfica B.{{cite web|url=https://rr.sapo.pt/informacao_detalhe.aspx?fid=47&did=123060|title=Funes Mori bisa no triunfo das águias em Braga|trans-title=Funes Mori grabs brace in eagles win in Braga|publisher=Rádio Renascença|language=pt|date=23 September 2013|access-date=18 August 2017}}
Xeka started being called to Braga's first team in October 2016, by manager José Peseiro.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/taca-portugal/jose-peseiro/sp-braga-xeka-estreia-se-nos-convocados|title=Sp. Braga: Xeka estreia-se nos convocados|trans-title=Sp. Braga: Xeka selected for the first time|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=14 October 2016|access-date=18 August 2017}} He made his debut in the Primeira Liga late in that month, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win over G.D. Chaves.{{cite web|url=https://scbraga.pt/regresso-a-casa-e-regresso-as-vitorias/|title=Regresso a casa abençoa regresso às vitórias|trans-title=Return home blesses return to wins|publisher=S.C. Braga|language=pt|date=24 October 2016|access-date=18 August 2017}} His fortunes changed, however, when Jorge Simão became the new coach before the end of the year.{{cite news|url=http://www.correiodominho.com/noticias.php?id=99324|title=Xeka: Pérola da formação arsenalista|trans-title=Xeka: Gem from the arsenalista youth system|newspaper=Correio do Minho|first=Carlos|last=Costinha Sousa|language=pt|date=27 December 2016|access-date=18 August 2017}}
=Lille=
On 31 January 2017, Xeka was loaned to Lille OSC from Ligue 1 until June.{{cite news|url=http://www.jn.pt/desporto/interior/sporting-de-braga-empresta-xeka-e-bakic-5639353.html|title=Sporting de Braga empresta Xeka e Bakic|trans-title=Sporting de Braga loan Xeka and Bakic|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=31 January 2017|access-date=18 August 2017}} He made his debut four days later as a starter in a 1–0 home loss to FC Lorient.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/art/d-20170204-GDR70L|title=Foot/L1 – Lille: les recrues El Ghazi et Xeka titulaires contre Lorient|trans-title=Football/L1 – Lille: recruits El Ghazi and Xeka starters against Lorient|newspaper=La Voix du Nord|language=fr|date=4 February 2017|access-date=20 June 2022}} He made 13 appearances for the 12th-place team and scored in a 3–0 win at Montpellier HSC on 29 April, assisted by compatriot Rony Lopes.{{cite news|url=https://www.midilibre.fr/2017/04/27/football-ligue-1-montpellier-lille-le-match-en-direct,1499187.php|title=Football / Ligue 1: Montpellier s'incline lourdement face à Lille (0–3)|trans-title=Football / Ligue 1: Montpellier fall heavily to Lille (0–3)|newspaper=Midi Libre|language=fr|date=27 April 2017|access-date=20 June 2022}}
In June 2017, Lille exercised the €5 million buyout clause to make Xeka's move permanent.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sp--braga/detalhe/lille-paga-5-milhoes-e-fica-com-xeka.html|title=Lille paga 5 milhões e fica com Xeka|trans-title=Lille pay 5 million and take Xeka|newspaper=Record|first=Fábio|last=Lima|language=pt|date=9 June 2017|access-date=18 August 2017}} In the last hours of the summer transfer window, he joined Dijon FCO in the same league in a season-long loan.{{cite web|url=http://www.losc.fr/content/xeka-pr%C3%AAt%C3%A9-au-dijon-fco|title=Xeka prêté au Dijon FCO|trans-title=Xeka loaned to Dijon FCO|publisher=Lille OSC|language=fr|date=31 August 2017|access-date=8 September 2017}} He became a regular under Christophe Galtier at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy the following year, but suffered a thigh injury in a 5–1 home victory over Paris Saint-Germain FC on 14 April 2019, ruling him out until September.{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Ligue-1-xeka-lille-veut-retrouver-sa-place-de-titulaire-dans-un-secteur-hyper-concurrentiel/1071067|title=Ligue 1: Xeka (Lille) veut retrouver sa place de titulaire dans un secteur hyper concurrentiel|trans-title=Ligue 1: Xeka (Lille) wants to recover his starting place in a super crowded position|newspaper=L'Équipe|first=Joël|last=Domenighetti|language=fr|date=18 October 2019|access-date=20 June 2022}}
Xeka contributed 33 matches and one goal during the 2020–21 campaign to help Lille win the national championship for the fourth time in their history.{{cite web|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ligue-1-lille-est-champion-de-france-ff-passe-le-titre-des-dogues-a-la-loupe/1252712|title=Ligue 1: Lille est champion de France! FF passe le titre des Dogues à la loupe|trans-title=Ligue 1: Lille are French champions! FF puts Dogues title under magnifying glass|publisher=France Football|first=Timothé|last=Crépin|language=fr|date=24 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021}} On 1 August 2021, he scored in the 1–0 defeat of PSG in the Trophée des Champions, with the club winning that trophy for the first time ever.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12370362/lille-1-0-paris-saint-germain-les-dogues-clinch-first-french-super-cup|title=Lille 1–0 Paris Saint-Germain: Les Dogues clinch first French Super Cup|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 August 2021|access-date=1 August 2021}}
On 20 May 2022, Xeka was released at the end of his contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Xeka-en-fin-de-contrat-quitte-lille/1334113|title=Xeka, en fin de contrat, quitte Lille|trans-title=Xeka, out of contract, leaves Lille|newspaper=L'Équipe|language=fr|date=20 May 2022|access-date=20 June 2022}}
=Rennes=
On 21 September 2022, Xeka agreed to a two-year deal at Stade Rennais F.C. also of the French top tier.{{cite web|url=https://www.staderennais.com/xeka-est-rouge-et-noir|title=Xeka est rouge et noir!|trans-title=Xeka is red and black!|publisher=Stade Rennais F.C.|language=fr|date=21 September 2022|access-date=21 September 2022}} He made his debut on 9 October, starting in a 3–0 home win over Derby Breton rivals FC Nantes.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/internacional/artigos/portugueses-la-fora-ronaldo-chega-aos-700-cancelo-levanta-o-estadio-e-paulo-fonseca-regressa-as-vitorias|title=Portugueses lá fora: Ronaldo chega aos 700, Cancelo levanta o estádio e Paulo Fonseca regressa às vitórias|trans-title=Portuguese out there: Ronaldo gets to 700, Cancelo makes the stadium stand up and Paulo Fonseca returns to winning ways|publisher=SAPO|first=João|last=Castro|language=pt|date=10 October 2022|access-date=26 October 2022}} In January, he had ankle surgery.{{cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/stade-rennais/stade-rennais-xeka-a-ete-opere-de-la-cheville-2e8f0868-95ac-11ed-9400-7aba786c7303|title=Stade Rennais. Xeka a été opéré de la cheville|trans-title=Stade Rennais. Xeka had ankle surgery|newspaper=Ouest-France|first=Nicolas|last=Mangeard|language=fr|date=16 January 2023|access-date=5 July 2023}}
Xeka left Roazhon Park by mutual consent on 10 August 2023, with only nine matches to his name.{{cite web|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/football/le-milieux-de-terrain-xeka-quitte-le-stade-rennais-4050650|title=Le milieu de terrain Xeka quitte le Stade Rennais|trans-title=Midfielder Xeka leaves Stade Rennais|publisher=France Bleu|first=Julien|last=Prouvoyeur|language=fr|date=10 August 2023|access-date=2 December 2023}}
=Later career=
On 1 May 2024, Al Sadd SC of the Qatar Stars League signed Xeka as a replacement for the injured Guilherme Torres.{{cite news|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/01/05/2024/al-sadd-sign-xeka-to-replace-torres|title=Al Sadd sign Xeka to replace Torres|newspaper=The Peninsula|date=1 May 2024|access-date=19 May 2024}} On 15 August, having made no appearances, he moved to G.D. Estoril Praia on a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://estorilpraia.pt/2024/08/15/xeka-e-reforco-do-estoril-praia-ate-2025/|title=Xeka é reforço do Estoril Praia até 2025|trans-title=Xeka is a Estoril Praia addition until 2025|publisher=G.D. Estoril Praia|language=pt|date=15 August 2024|access-date=21 August 2024}}
International career
Xeka earned one cap for Portugal at under-20 level on 5 February 2014, in a 2–0 friendly win over Slovakia under-21 in Marinha Grande. He played the final ten minutes as a substitute for Tomás Podstawski.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/selecoes/detalhe/sub-20-vencem-eslovaquia-sub-21-2-0-866625|title=Sub-20 vencem Eslováquia sub-21 (2–0)|trans-title=Under-20 team beat Slovakia under-21 (2–0)|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=5 February 2014|access-date=2 December 2023}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 7 January 2023}}{{Soccerway|miguel-angelo-da-silva-rocha/306990}}
| 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{{efn|Includes Taça de Portugal and Coupe de France}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga and Coupe de la Ligue}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Braga B
|17 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | |||||
| 2016–17
|Liga Portugal 2 |11 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 2 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Covilhã (loan)
|Liga Portugal 2 |5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | |||
| 2015–16
|Liga Portugal 2 |34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 0 | |||
| Braga
|11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| Lille (loan)
|13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="6"|Lille
|Ligue 1 |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|Ligue 1 |27 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20
|Ligue 1 |17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Ligue 1 |33 | 1 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 42 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22
|Ligue 1 |23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Trophée des Champions}} | 1 | 31 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!114 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 144 | 9 | |
| Dijon (loan)
|Ligue 1 |17 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | |||||
| Lille II
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Rennes
|Ligue 1 |8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!218 | 11 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 257 | 13 |
{{Notelist}}
Honours
Lille
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{ForaDeJogo}}
- [http://www.ligaportugal.pt/oou/clube/20142015/segundaliga/288/jogador/68306 Portuguese League profile] {{in lang|pt}}
- {{Lequipe|61723}}
- {{FPF national player|715566}}
{{G.D. Estoril Praia squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xeka}}
Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
Category:Portuguese men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Paredes, Portugal
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Liga Portugal 2 players
Category:F.C. Paços de Ferreira players
Category:G.D. Estoril Praia players
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Stade Rennais FC players
Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers
Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain