Tiago Mendes

Tiago Cardoso Mendes OIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [tiˈaɣu kɐɾˈdozu ˈmẽdɨʃ]; born 2 May 1981), known simply as Tiago, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder.

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Cardoso and the second or paternal family name is Mendes.
Tiago
Tiago as an Atlético Madrid player in 2013
Personal information
Full name Tiago Cardoso Mendes[1]
Date of birth (1981-05-02) 2 May 1981[1]
Place of birth Viana do Castelo, Portugal[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1996 Vianense
1997–1998 Âncora Praia
1998–1999 Braga
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 Braga B 13 (0)
1999–2002 Braga 62 (3)
2002–2004 Benfica 75 (19)
2004–2005 Chelsea 34 (4)
2005–2007 Lyon 56 (9)
2007–2011 Juventus 42 (0)
2010–2011 → Atlético Madrid (loan) 49 (6)
2011–2017 Atlético Madrid 126 (11)
Total 457 (52)
National team
2000–2002 Portugal U21 21 (3)
2002–2015 Portugal 66 (3)
Teams managed
2017–2018 Atlético Madrid (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He played professionally in five of Europe's major leagues: Portugal, England, France, Italy and Spain. He notably spent eight seasons with Atlético Madrid, winning five major titles including the 2013–14 La Liga and the 2012 Europa League.

A Portugal international on over 60 occasions, Tiago represented the nation in two World Cups and Euro 2004.

Club career

Portugal

Born in Viana do Castelo, Tiago first came to prominence at S.C. Braga, being cast into the Minho side's starting XI at the age of just 19 and helping with 27 games as they finished in fourth place in 2001, thus qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

In late December 2001, solid displays earned Tiago – and Braga teammates Armando Sá and Ricardo Rocha – a move to giants S.L. Benfica. In his first full season he scored a career-best 13 goals to help to a runner-up position in the Primeira Liga[2] and, the following year, won the Taça de Portugal against FC Porto.[3]

Chelsea

Tiago signed for Chelsea on 20 July 2004 for a €15 million fee,[4] becoming José Mourinho's sixth signing that season (this included three other Portuguese players). Having missed the first game of the campaign he soon became an important member of his new team, scoring on his away debut against Crystal Palace on 24 August;[5] he also scored a long-range goal in a 3–1 win over Manchester United on 10 May 2005, after already having won the Premier League title.[6]

Tiago was a regular for Chelsea, having only missed four games in the league. He ended the season successfully as a firm fixture in the Blues' midfield three, making 51 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals as the club also added the Football League Cup. However, despite his initial success, the following campaign saw the arrival of Michael Essien from Olympique Lyonnais, which limited his first-team chances; during his time at Stamford Bridge his loss percentage in the league was 2.94%, just once in 34 appearances (a 0–1 loss at Manchester City on 16 October 2004), which was the lowest in history for any player having appeared at least 20 times.[7]

Lyon
Tiago playing for Lyon in 2007

In late August 2005, Tiago signed for Lyon on a four-year contract, for a €10.1 million transfer fee.[8][9] Usually playing in a defensive midfield role alongside Juninho Pernambucano, Mahamadou Diarra and Florent Malouda, he excelled for his team,[10] scoring seven goals in 37 appearances. The highlights of his first season in France were a pair of goals against PSV Eindhoven that took them into the quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League, and the winning goal against Troyes AC on 1 April 2006; the club finished top of Ligue 1, winning a fifth consecutive accolade.

After the departure of Diarra to Real Madrid the following season, Tiago began to play a more significant role in Lyon's midfield with his former teammate's replacement Jérémy Toulalan.[10] He won his second league title and helped reach the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, lost to FC Girondins de Bordeaux after a last-minute strike;[11] overall, he netted six times in 38 matches.

Juventus

On 17 June 2007, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed that Tiago's departure from Lyon was imminent with both Juventus F.C. and A.C. Milan reportedly after his signature. He officially signed for the former on 21 June 2007, for a €13 million fee.[12] His performance in the 2007–08 season was criticised, however, with Goal.com describing him as the third biggest flop of the season.[13]

The start of 2008–09 season gave Tiago an opportunity to return to the Premier League in the form of year-long loan offer from Everton. Juventus agreed to the deal but Tiago refused their terms, favouring to stay in Italy instead.[14] The negotiations between the player and the club had a violent end when Tiago forcibly locked Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli inside a toilet stall – the chairman was finally rescued by captain Alessandro Del Piero, more than an hour later;[15] after a difficult first season he eventually established himself in Claudio Ranieri's side but, in November 2008, against Inter Milan, he was stretchered off the pitch with a serious knee injury just several minutes into the match, and was sidelined for almost two months.[16]

Tiago returned to the bench for the January match against S.S. Lazio, but found himself down the pecking order as Cristiano Zanetti, Mohamed Sissoko, and emerging youngster Claudio Marchisio were Ranieri's preferred centre midfield pairing. Following injuries to Sissoko and later Marchisio he was back in the starting XI, but his return was soured by a straight red card in the Derby d'Italia fixture in April (1–1 home draw).[17]

The first half of the 2009–10 season was one to forget for Tiago. With the arrivals of midfielders Diego and Felipe Melo, coupled by his slight dip in form, his appearances were again limited; under Ciro Ferrara he was relegated to the bench once again, only making seven Serie A appearances.

Atlético Madrid
Tiago (right) in action against Real Madrid, in 2013

On 8 January 2010, Tiago joined Atlético Madrid on loan until the end of the season.[18] He scored his first league goal in nearly three years on 21 January, heading home against RC Celta de Vigo in a 1–1 home draw for the season's Copa del Rey (2–1 aggregate win);[19][20] gradually, he established himself in the starting lineup ahead of longtime incumbent Raúl García, also reuniting with former Benfica teammate Simão Sabrosa.[21]

After helping the Colchoneros to the domestic cup final – he was cup-tied for the Europa League – a new loan deal was arranged with Juventus.[22] Again, he played in significantly more minutes than García as Atlético finally qualified to the Europa League, and added four goals in La Liga, including a brace against Málaga CF in a 3–0 away win, both goals coming from headers.[23]

On 20 July 2011, Tiago penned a two-year permanent contract with Atlético.[24] He was again an important part of the team that reached the Europa League final, usually playing as a starter under coach Diego Simeone, who replaced Gregorio Manzano midway through the season; he missed the decisive match in Bucharest however, being sent off in the semifinal's second leg against Valencia CF (1–0 away success, 5–2 on aggregate) after slapping Roberto Soldado.[25]

On 21 July 2014, aged 33, Tiago renewed his contract with Atlético for two seasons.[26] On 13 September he put the visiting team ahead at Real Madrid after heading home a corner kick from Koke, in an eventual 2–1 win. In the reverse fixture on 7 February 2015, he opened the scoring in a 4–0 success;[27] 18 days later, he received his marching orders in the 0–1 away loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the first leg of the last-16 of the Champions League.[28]

On 28 November 2015, in the first half of the league fixture against RCD Espanyol, Tiago suffered an undisplaced fracture to his right tibia, going on to be sidelined for several months.[29] He left the Vicente Calderón Stadium at the end of the 2016–17 campaign with competitive totals of 229 games and 19 goals both spells comprised,[30] and then spent one year as assistant to former manager Simeone.[31]

International career
Tiago in a 2015 friendly against Italy

Tiago's performances in Portugal's youth teams eventually earned him his senior debut against Scotland in a November 2002 friendly. He went on to seal a regular berth in the squad and was included in the 23-man list for UEFA Euro 2004, although he did not play in the finals; originally part of the squad for that year's Summer Olympic Games, he withdrew through injury.[4]

Moving to France proved crucial in international selection as Tiago's strong form at Lyon afforded him a place in Portugal's well-established midfield. His contributions aided the national team in its quest for qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and he appeared in five matches in the tournament held in Germany as Portugal reached the semi-finals, losing to France.

Tiago scored his first goal for the national team on 28 March 2007, in a Man of the match display away to Serbia (1–1).[32] He was, however, overlooked, for Euro 2008's final squad.

Tiago was selected for the squad at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, replacing Deco in the first game, a 0–0 against the Ivory Coast. He took the naturalized Brazilian's place for the following contest, against North Korea in Cape Town on 21 June 2010, and netted twice (including a header) in a 7–0 rout.[33]

After the World Cup, Tiago officially quit the national team citing personal reasons, and also to "make room for opportunities for younger players," ending his international career with 58 caps and three goals.[34] On 3 October 2014, however, after an absence of almost four years, he was called up by new manager Fernando Santos for a friendly with France and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Denmark.[35] He was sent off for two bookings on 13 June 2015, in a 3–2 win in Armenia in another qualifying match;[36] he was not selected for the finals, not having fully recovered from a broken leg.[37]

Tiago returned to the national team setup in June 2019, working with every age group from the under-15s to the under-20s.[38]

Style of play

A versatile defensive or central midfielder, with good vision and overall skills, Tiago was known mainly for his work-rate, tenacity and tackling ability, as well as his accurate distribution of the ball after winning back possession. These attributes earned him the nickname "the washing machine" during his time with Lyon.[39][40]

Career statistics

Club
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Braga 1999–2000[41] Primeira Liga 18110———191
2000–01[41] Primeira Liga 27010———280
2001–02[41] Primeira Liga 17330———203
Total 62450———674
Benfica 2001–02[41] Primeira Liga 15130———181
2002–03[41] Primeira Liga 311300———3113
2003–04[41] Primeira Liga 29553—9[lower-alpha 1]3—4311
Total 751983—93—9225
Chelsea 2004–05[42] Premier League 344204011[lower-alpha 1]0—514
Total 3442040110—514
Lyon 2005–06[41][43] Ligue 1 29500008[lower-alpha 1]2—377
2006–07[41][43] Ligue 1 27400308[lower-alpha 1]2—386
Total 5690030164—7513
Juventus 2007–08[44] Serie A 200———200
2008–09[44] Serie A 15000—3[lower-alpha 1]0—180
2009–10[44] Serie A 7000—3[lower-alpha 1]0—100
Total 42000—60—480
Atlético Madrid (loan) 2009–10[45] La Liga 18251———233
2010–11[46] La Liga 31421—6[lower-alpha 2]1—396
Atlético Madrid 2011–12[47] La Liga 24000—8[lower-alpha 2]0—320
2012–13[48] La Liga 22230—5[lower-alpha 2]0—302
2013–14[49] La Liga 23230—7[lower-alpha 1]000332
2014–15[44] La Liga 31510—4[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 3]0375
2015–16[44] La Liga 14100—5[lower-alpha 1]00[lower-alpha 3]0191
2016–17[44] La Liga 12100—3[lower-alpha 1]00[lower-alpha 3]0151
Total 17517142—3811022820
Career total 44552295708081056164
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearance in Supercopa de España

International
Source:[50]
Portugal
YearAppsGoals
200210
200340
200470
200580
2006120
200761
200810
200990
2010102
201440
201540
Total663

International goals

(Portugal score listed first, score column indicates score after each Tiago goal)[50]

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.28 March 2007Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia Serbia1–01–1Euro 2008 qualifying
2.21 June 2010Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa North Korea4–07–02010 FIFA World Cup
3.7–0

Honours

Benfica[51]

  • Taça de Portugal: 2003–04

Chelsea[51]

Lyon[51]

  • Ligue 1: 2005–06, 2006–07
  • Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2006–07

Atlético Madrid[51]

Tiago (furthest right) on Atlético's victory parade after winning the league in 2014

Portugal[51]

Orders

  • Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)[53]

References
  1. "Tiago" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  2. "Tiago: «Época memorável»" [Tiago: «Memorable season»]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 June 2003. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  3. "Benfica vence Taça de Portugal (2–1)" [Benfica win Portuguese Cup (2–1)]. Público (in Portuguese). 16 May 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  4. "Tiago set for Chelsea bow". BBC Sport. 18 August 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  5. "C Palace 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 24 August 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  6. "Record-breaking Chelsea cruise past sorry United". China Daily. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  7. Tyler, Martin (12 December 2012). "The golden rule". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  8. "Tiago set to complete Lyon transfer". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  9. "Lyon conclude Tiago's £6.82m move". BBC Sport. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  10. Roque, Stéphanie (18 October 2007). "Toulalan, l'empereur du milieu" [Toulalan, midfield emperor] (in French). Foot Mercato. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  11. "OL's Coupe de la Ligue finals". Olympique Lyonnais. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  12. "Juventus sign Tiago and Almiron". FIFA. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  13. Garganese, Carlo (26 May 2008). "Calcio Debate: Goal.com Serie A Awards". Goal. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  14. "Tiago rejects Everton loan switch". BBC Sport. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
  15. Scime, Adam (1 September 2008). "Tiago locked Juve President Gigli in washroom". Goal. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  16. "Niente crack al ginocchio per Tiago: previsti "solo" 40 giorni di stop per il portoghese" [No knee fracture for Tiago: "only" 40 days of rest for the Portuguese in sight] (in Italian). Goal. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  17. "La Juve in 10 non si arrende – Grygera ferma l'Inter: 1–1" [10-man Juve do not surrender – Grygera blocks Inter: 1–1]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 18 April 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  18. "Juve, è ufficiale: Tiago in prestito all'Atletico Madrid" [Juve, it's official: Tiago loaned to Atlético]. Tuttosport (in Italian). 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  19. Anaut, Juan José (22 January 2010). "El Atlético vuelve a arriesgar la Copa" [Atlético risk Cup again]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  20. "0–1: Un gol de Forlán mete al Atlético en semifinales" [0–1: Forlán goal sends Atlético to semi-finals]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 28 January 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  21. Casáñez, Juan (24 May 2010). "Raúl García quiere quedarse y la Juve cederá algo por Tiago" [Raúl García wants to stay and Juve will compromise somewhat for Tiago]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  22. "Tiago embarks on second spell at Atlético". UEFA. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  23. "Tiago puts paid to Malaga". ESPN Soccernet. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  24. "Tiago joins Atletico Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  25. "Adrián leads Atlético to Bucharest showpiece". UEFA. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  26. "Tiago signs for two seasons". Atlético Madrid. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  27. "Atl Madrid 4–0 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  28. Raynor, Dominic (25 February 2015). "Bayer Levkn 1–0 Atl Madrid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  29. "Tiago estará cuatro meses de baja" [Tiago will miss four months]. Marca (in Spanish). 28 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  30. "El Calderón homenajeó a Tiago" [The Calderón honoured Tiago]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 May 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  31. "Nelson Vivas sustituirá a Tiago en el cuerpo técnico" [Nelson Vivas to replace Tiago in coaching staff]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 21 May 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  32. Queiroz, João (28 March 2007). "Euro 2008: Golo de Tiago dá empate a Portugal na Sérvia" [Euro 2008: Tiago goal gives draw to Portugal in Serbia] (in Portuguese). Jornalismo Porto Net. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  33. Clarey, Christopher (21 June 2010). "Portugal pours it on in second half". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  34. "Tiago renuncia à selecção nacional" [Tiago renounces national team] (in Portuguese). TSF. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  35. Kundert, Tom (7 October 2014). "Tiago's joy at Seleção return". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  36. "Portugal beat Armenia with Ronaldo hat-trick". UEFA. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  37. "Silva out, Sanches in as Portugal name Euro squad". Reuters. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  38. "Tiago integra estrutura técnica da formação" [Tiago joins youth system technical staff]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 28 June 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  39. Mauro, Alberto (13 February 2009). "Sissoko: "Sono La Piovra"" [Sissoko: "I am The Octopus"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  40. Vaciago, Guido (30 September 2014). "Champions League Atletico: Tiago, un passato Juve. "Non vi capivo..."" [Champions League Atletico: Tiago, a Juve past. "I didn't understand you..."]. Tuttosport (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  41. "Tiago". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  42. "Games played by Tiago Mendes in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  43. "Tiago". Ligue 1. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  44. "Tiago". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  45. "Matches played by Tiago Mendes in 2009/10". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  46. "Matches played by Tiago Mendes in 2010/11". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  47. "Matches played by Tiago Mendes in 2011/12". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  48. "Matches played by Tiago Mendes in 2012/13". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  49. "Matches played by Tiago Mendes in 2013/14". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  50. "Tiago Mendes". European Football. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  51. "Tiago – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  52. "Tiago: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  53. "Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança" [National team honoured by Duke of Bragança] (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2006.
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