Fernando Santos has had an illustrious career in the world of football. From being a star midfielder and captain of one of the world’s most-feared clubs, Barcelona, to becoming the coach of one of the world’s most-loved national teams, the Portugal national team, Santos has left a significant mark on the world of sports. But did you know that before getting into coaching, he was also an MP and Prime Minister of his country? That’s right. Fernando Santos is not only an icon in the world of sports but also a politician who has made significant contributions to his country.
Throughout his illustrious career as a player and coach, Fernando Santos has won numerous awards and accolades such as 12 La Liga titles with FC Barcelona, three Champions League titles with FC Barcelona and six Portuguese league titles. This remarkable career saw him being awarded many prestigious titles including the 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award, UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match award, FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball award (2010), FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe award (2010), UEFA Euro 2012 Final Man of the Match award, UEFA Euro 2016 Final Man of the Match award, and 2018 FIFA World Cup Best Manager Award.
Background of Fernando Santos
Fernando Santos was born on October 1, 1947, in the portuguese city of Oporto. He played as a midfielder for several Portuguese clubs before becoming a star player for the Portuguese national team.
In 1988, he led Portugal to its first international trophy since the end of the dictatorship—the European Championship. In 1992, he became the coach of the national team and took it to the world cup quarterfinals. That same year, he led Portugal to another international title—the European Championship—and earned the nickname “The Genius” and “The Teacher.”
Santos served as Portugal’s coach from 2004 to 2006, and again from 2007 to 2011. On October 5, 2011, he was elected prime minister of Portugal with 55% of the vote. His term has been marked by economic crisis and political turmoil in Europe.
Santos’ manifesto as Prime Minister
Fernando Santos is the new prime minister of Portugal, elected in October 2014 to succeed the socialist leader and presidential candidate Antonio Costa.
Santos’ manifesto as Prime Minister included reform and modernization. His key priorities include creating jobs, boosting the economy, and reducing corruption. He has made headway in reforming Portugal’s ailing healthcare system and public transportation. He has also been successful in renegotiating Portugal’s troubled debt load. In his first year as Prime-Minister, Santos has established himself as a strong leader in Europe. With his track record of reformism, it is expected that he will continue to make positive strides as Prime-Minister of Portugal.
Santos’ achievements as Prime Minister
As Prime Minister of Portugal, Fernando Santos has led the country through a period of economic stability and growth. He has made significant strides in improving the relationship between Portugal and its European neighbors. He has championed social reform, such as increasing the minimum wage and legalizing same-sex marriage. As Prime Minister, Santos has developed a reputation as a pragmatic leader who is able to work collaboratively with others. He is also considered a possible contender for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. In conclusion, Santos’ achievements as Prime Minister of Portugal are remarkable not only for his efforts to improve the lives of his citizens but also for his unwavering commitment to socioeconomic justice.
Net Worth
Fernando Santos is a world-renowned soccer player and coach. He was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1951. Despite his young age, he began playing professional soccer in the early 1970s. After impressing with his impressive skills, Santos joined Portuguese first division club Benfica. During his time at the club, he won two national league titles and one cup.
In 1984, he was named captain of the Portugal national team and led the team to their first ever international victory—a 1-0 victory over Spain at the Euro 1988 Championship. This win made him the first Portuguese player to lift a major European championship title. In 1987, he captained the national team to their second major title win—the FIFA World Cup—where they defeated West Germany in the final.
Santos’ crowning achievements as a player came in 1990 and 1991 when he captained Portugal to their third European championship title as well as their third FIFA World Cup title respectively. He was awarded World Player of the Year twice (in 1989 and 1990) and was named European Footballer of the Year two times too (in 1989 and 1990).
After retiring from international football in 1994, Santos took up coaching duties with Benfica. In 1997, he led them to another league title and in 2002, another cup trophy for good measure. His stint at Benfica ended with a winning percentage of 81 percent across 11 seasons. On November 11, 2015, Fernando Santos was elected Prime Minister of Portugal following Pedro Passos Coelho’s term of office of 12 years as Prime Minister.
His accolades as a coach make him an ideal candidate for the role of PM of Portugal.
Conclusion
Fernando Santos is one of the most successful political leaders in Portuguese history. As the head of government, he has brought Portugal back from economic and political stagnation. His work as prime minister is admired both at home and abroad. He has transformed Portugal’s economy with focused policies that have led to record-low unemployment rates and increased national output. Comment below if we’ve missed any other world-class leaders who made a mark in their respective fields. Also, share this article with your friends to inspire the next generation!
