Fernando Cruz (footballer)
Fernando da Conceição Cruz is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a left back.Club career
Born in Lisbon, Cruz was already first-choice with S.L. Benfica at the age of 20, going on to win eight Primeira Liga championships with the club as well as four Portuguese Cups. He played in all five European Cup finals the side reached in the 60s, winning the 1961 and 1962 editions and appearing in 346 official games during his 11-year stint.
Cruz ended his playing career in June 1971, after one year with newly formed French team Paris Saint-Germain FC.International career
Cruz played 11 matches for Portugal, his first appearance being on 21 May 1961 in a 1–1 friendly draw with England. He was included in Otto Glória's squad for the 1966 FIFA World Cup finals, failing to make an appearance for the third-placed nation.Honours
Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69
- Taça de Portugal : 1961–62, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1969–70
- Taça de Honra
- European Cup: 1960–61, 1961–62
- Intercontinental Cup runner-up: 1961, 1962
Portugal
