In a youth career split between the two local rivals Paços de Ferreira and Freamunde, it was at the latter that Pedro Monteiro took his first steps at senior level, quickly securing a starting spot in his first season 'with the big boys' at Freamunde. After being successful in the Campeonato Nacional de Séniores (at the time) and Segunda Liga, he moved on to Braga where he played mostly for the Minho club's B team. A new challenge came in 2015/2016 when he ventured into Cypriot territory (Apollon Limassol), returning to Portugal at the end of that season to continue his career at Paços de Ferreira and Estoril.
Currently playing for the 'Bebés do Mar' – Leixões – and knowing how hooked he is on Football Manager, we couldn't pass up the chance to interview Pedro Monteiro and find out more about him and his virtual career.
Join us in this conversation!
Interview
FMPortugal.net: Do you remember which was the first edition you played?
Pedro Monteiro: I started with Championship Manager, so Football Manager 2005 was the first FM edition I played, since the addiction was already there from before! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: As a manager, what grabs you most: starting straight away on the big European stages and winning everything there is to win, or starting at a club in a low division and lifting your team all the way to winning the Champions League?
Pedro Monteiro: Both challenges motivate me, but the choice I make most often is to start with a lower-division team and grow it as much as I can.
FMPortugal.net: Were you so 'glued' to the save save that you'd catch yourself at some point in the day thinking about a possible tactical change or your next transfer move? (laughs) Which save save hooked you the most on the game?
Pedro Monteiro: Completely! My school notebooks are full of tactics, squad lists and possible signings for each new season. The save save that hooked me the most was with Benfica, where I managed to win everything in Portugal, plus the Champions League!
FMPortugal.net: What was your reaction the first time you saw yourself officially part of the database?
Pedro Monteiro: Fantastic! FM has always been (and still is!) the only game I get properly hooked on, so the feeling of, a few years later, seeing my own player in the game was incredible!
FMPortugal.net: Do you like how you're portrayed in Football Manager, or would you change something? We might look into it… (laughs)
Pedro Monteiro: I like it a lot! I think it's very close to reality and matches my characteristics as a player. But let me take the chance to suggest a 'preferred move' (laughs): make me a 'centre-back who likes to have the ball'. Think about it, I reckon it fits reality! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Do you usually play with fellow professionals? Can you reveal some of the names? Who did you usually 'thrash' the most? (laughs)
Pedro Monteiro: No, actually, I've never played with fellow professionals! So, with no colleague to embarrass, the only thrashings I've dished out were to my cousin, back when we were kids and used to play together a lot: I'd thrash him so badly he'd end up just switching off the computer! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Lastly, setting 'virtual reality' aside for a moment, in the 2015/2016 season you had an adventure abroad in Cyprus (Apollon Limassol). What were the main differences you felt compared to Portugal?
Pedro Monteiro: I loved the experience. I was at a fantastic club, where we managed to win the country's cup and even qualified for European competitions. I only have good things to say: I loved living and playing in a country like Cyprus. As for the main differences I came across between Portuguese and Cypriot football, it was a much more open style, so the game would easily open up. In terms of quality, and contrary to what a lot of people think, football in Cyprus has real quality both collectively and individually, which also surprised me quite a bit!
Quick Questions:
Favourite edition?
FM 2009
Favourite league to play in?
Portuguese
Favourite team to play as?
Napoli
Favourite player you've ever had in any edition?
Kikin Fonseca (Benfica)
Biggest achievement?
World Cup final as national team manager
Best club you've seen your player transfer to (without any influence from you)?
Sporting CP
After a solid season, and having racked up more than 1600 minutes for Leixões, we leave our wishes for an excellent 2019/2020 season to Pedro Monteiro!
