António Leonel Vilar Nogueira Sousa (Portuguese pronunciation:[tuˈnɛl]; born 13 April 1980), known as Tonel, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He was also a manager.
Tonel picked up some European experience during Marítimo's UEFA Cuptie against Rangers.[5] He partnered with Dutchman Mitchell van der Gaag in defence[6] and became one of the team's leading figures, playing 28 league games and scoring once in a 2–1 home win over Boavista F.C. on 25 September 2004.[7]
Sporting CP
On 23 July 2005, after an impressive season, Tonel signed a three-year deal with Sporting CP for €500,000.[8] His second stint with a club of the Big Three was much more successful than the first, as he was everpresent at the back four alongside Brazil international Ânderson Polga,[9] also scoring the occasional goal on set pieces.[10]
Tonel added a second consecutive double in 2011–12, after playing in a 3–1 cup final defeat of NK Osijek in May.[19] He was released at the end of his contract, in December 2012.[20]
Return to Portugal
On 7 January 2013, Tonel returned to his homeland and joined top-division S.C. Beira-Mar, signing until June 2014.[21] After suffering relegation, however, he terminated his contract and went on to spend a further two seasons in the Segunda Liga with C.D. Feirense.[22]
Aged 35, Tonel returned to the top flight on 9 June 2015 after agreeing to a one-year contract with C.F. Os Belenenses.[23] Early into the campaign, he was criticised for committing a 90th-minute handball penalty in favour of his former team Sporting at the Estádio José Alvalade, with his action resulting in a 1–0 loss for Belenenses.[24][25]
In January 2018, Tonel was appointed at C.F. União de Lamas in the same competition.[28] He left six months later, having led them to fourth place.[29]
^"Van der Gaag ou Fernando" [Van der Gaag or Fernando]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 April 2005. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
^Fernandes, João Manuel (25 September 2004). "Marítimo-Boavista, 2–1 (destaques)" [Marítimo-Boavista, 2–1 (highlights)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^Dias, Filipe Alexandre; Toucedo, Rafael; Gomes, Rui Miguel (6 March 2010). "Regresso à dupla do passado" [Return to old duo]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^Jurišić, Bernard (11 September 2010). "Bez pobjednika u derbiju" [No winner in derby] (in Croatian). Sportnet. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
^Šips, Borut (11 May 2011). "Varaždin između Dinama i duple krune" [Varaždin between Dinamo and the double crown] (in Croatian). Tportal. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^Travassos, Nuno (9 June 2015). "Belenenses: Tonel assina por uma época" [Belenenses: Tonel signs for one season] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 31 March 2016.