Dito


Eduardo José Gomes Cameselle Mendez, known as Dito, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a central defender, and is a manager.

Playing career

Club

Dito was born in Barcelos. During 16 professional seasons, he appeared in 358 Primeira Liga matches, starting his career with S.C. Braga for which he was already an important first-team member at the age of 18, and signing with S.L. Benfica in 1986 after six years in Minho.
During his two-season spell with Benfica, Dito played 27 league games in his first year as the Lisbon club won the double, then partnered Carlos Mozer in his second. He then moved to rivals and title holders FC Porto for one season, with Benfica regaining their domestic supremacy at the expense of precisely the northerners.
From 1989 to 1994, always in the top division, Dito represented Vitória de Setúbal, S.C. Espinho and Gil Vicente FC. After an unassuming stint with A.D. Ovarense in the second level, he retired from football aged 34.

International

Dito won 17 caps for Portugal, his debut arriving on 28 October 1981 – at the age of only 19 – as he came on as a 46th-minute substitute for Humberto Coelho in a 1–4 away loss against Israel for the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He did not attend any major international tournament, however.

Coaching career

Dito's biggest achievement as a coach was managing S.C. Salgueiros over the course of three top flight campaigns, being dismissed after the tenth round of 1999–2000 as the Paranhos team eventually retained their status. In 2009 he returned to his first club Braga, being appointed at the junior sides.
In July 2011, after guiding Braga District to the UEFA Regions' Cup, Dito returned to the senior game with Varzim S.C. of the third tier. He fulfilled his aim of winning promotion, doing so as champions in his only season, but then quit due to disputes with the board including an alleged four-month backlog in wages.
On 5 April 2017, Dito came back to the professional game after over a decade's hiatus, taking over second-tier F.C. Famalicão for the rest of the season. The following 22 January, he left by mutual consent.
Dito was hired by fellow second-tier team S.C. Covilhã on 27 May 2018. He left on 9 October, again by agreement between both parties, with the team second from bottom.

Personal life

Dito's father, Spaniard Eduardo Cameselle Mendez, played for Gil Vicente in the 1950s. His nephew, also named Eduardo, was also a footballer.

Honours

Braga
Benfica
Porto