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Art in goal

Vítor on his right arm, Baía on the left. He was dressed in a daringly imposing manner when he arrived, and those adjective are a wonderful description of the way he worked between the sticks. A spectacular goalkeeper with his high voltage saves came to Barcelona from Porto in 1996. In his first year under Bobby Robson he became the first choice stopper and won three titles: Spanish Super Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and Copa del Rey. The following season under Van Gaal he was no longer number one choice and went on loan back to his previous club, Porto. He remained there until he retired in 2007.

Came to Barça shortly before his 27th birthday, along with such other great players as Ronaldo, Giovanni, Blanc, Luis Enrique and the returning Hristo Stoichkov following his season at Parma in Italy. Made his debut in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atlético Madrid, played at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium due to the poor state of the turf at the Camp Nou. Barça won 5-2. In his first season at the club he won, apart from that Spanish Super Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Copa del Rey. The following season, 1997-98, he won the European Super Cup and the Spanish league and cup double, the first for Barça in 17 years. In 98-99 Baía was loaned back to Porto and eventually stayed at the Portuguese club until his retirement in 2007. 2004 was a very special year for Vítor Baía. With Porto he won the Champions League, beating Monaco in the final played in Germany.

Honours:

1 Liga (1997-1998)
2 Copa del Reys (1996-1997 and 1997-1998)
1 European Cup Winners’ Cup (1996-1997)
1 European Super Cup (1997-1998)
1 Spanish Super Cup (1996-1997)

Other titles: 

European champion with Porto in 2004.

Place of birth
Sao Pedro da Afurada (Portugal)
Date of birth
15/10/1969
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