FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.01.2008 19:30

An experienced background

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José Manuel Pinto is an experienced goalkeeper having played 126 games in the la Primera and 56 more in Segunda A, as well having played in the Champions League and being awarded the Zamora trophy in 2005-06.

Born in Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz) on November 15, 1975, Pinto made his professional debut in the Spanish top flight with Real Betis Balompié, but the majority of his career has been spent at Celta Vigo where he has played for the last ten years after joining them in 1998. During his time at the club he played alongside Barça defender Sylvinho.

As well as making 126 top flight appearances and 56 in the second tier, Pinto tasted life in the Champions League during the 2003-04 campaign and played in the UEFA Cup for four consecutive seasons between 1999-2000 and 2002-03.

Vital statistics

Pinto stands at 1.86m (6ft 1in) and weighs 82kg and that physique makes him very strong in the air to add to his fast reactions and reflexes. It is these qualities that allow him to repel any shot whether high or low and he is well known for being very difficult to beat from long range.

Zamora award

During the 2005-06 campaign, Pinto was awarded the Zamora trophy when Celta were still in the first division. His record of conceding only 28 goals in 37 games gave him an average of 0.75 goals-per-game let in as he helped the Galician club to finish sixth in the league and to qualify for the UEFA Cup. The year before Víctor Valdés won the trophy and now the pair will be teammates.