After starting playing for Sporting, he moved to Porto – winning the 1987 European Cup – after which he embarked in an extensive professional career, having represented clubs in Spain, France, Italy and Japan, most notably Atlético Madrid. He also appeared for Benfica during four months in 1993.
A Portuguese international since the age of 17, Futre gained more than 40 caps for his country, representing it at the 1986 World Cup.
Sporting / Porto
Born in Montijo, Setúbal District, Futre first appeared professionally in 1983–84, as a 17-year-old for Sporting Clube de Portugal, whose youth system he had joined at the age of nine. When he requested a pay raise from president João Rocha, he was turned down and left for F.C. Porto after just one season, as veterans Jaime Pacheco and António Sousa moved in the opposite direction as part of the deal.In the following years Futre collected two national championships, also helping the northerners to the 1986–87 European Cup, putting on a Man of the match performance in the final against FC Bayern Munich.
Atlético Madrid
After that continental win, Futre was traded to Atlético Madrid in Spain, earning a reported annual salary of €650,000. At the capital outfit, he quickly rose to fan favourite status, but his physical weakness left him with several knee injuries which tormented his career in the 1990s.In his fifth season, Futre provided countless assists for striker Manolo who scored 27 goals for the Pichichi Trophy, with him netting in the campaign's domestic cup, a 2–0 win over neighbours Real Madrid; during most of his spell with the Colchoneros, he was also team captain.
Journeyman / Retirement
In January 1993, Futre moved to Porto and Sporting rivals S.L. Benfica, winning a Portuguese Cup in his short stay (and scoring in the final against Boavista F.C. in a 5–2 triumph), as his injury woes persisted. After Benfica, he signed one-season contracts with Olympique de Marseille – where he teamed up with countryman Rui Barros – A.C. Reggiana 1919, A.C. Milan and West Ham United, where he infamously refused to play until he was given squad number 10. Finally, he returned to Atlético Madrid (ten La Liga games in 1997–98), effectively ending his career with J. League Division 1 side Yokohama Flügels; he ranked joint-98th in World Soccer's 100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century, published in December 1999.Futre worked as director of football at Atlético Madrid from 2000 to 2003,subsequently becoming a real-estate developer in his hometown.In May 2011, he was part of Dias Ferreira's team in an unsuccessful run for Sporting's presidency.
International career
Futre played 41 times for Portugal in a 12-year span, scoring six goals. His debut came against Finland for the UEFA Euro 1984 qualifiers, on 27 April 1983 – he was only 17 years and 204 days old, breaking a national team record.Futre was a member of the Portuguese national team that competed in the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, playing 90 minutes in the 1–3 loss against Morocco, in an eventual group stage exit.
