Manu, former Benfica and Legia winger, dies in car crash at 43
Manu, who played for Benfica, Marítimo and Legia Warsaw, died after a single-vehicle crash in Vermões, Portugal, on Saturday evening.
A solitary crash in Vermões
The accident occurred in Vermões, a locality in the municipality of Sobral de Monte Agraço, roughly 40 kilometres north of Lisbon. Emergency services were alerted at 18:42 on Saturday evening, according to Portuguese media. Manu was driving alone when his vehicle left the road. The exact cause of the crash was not immediately disclosed by authorities. His death was subsequently confirmed by FC Alverca, the club where he rose through the youth ranks.
A career that spanned three continents
Born Emanuel Jesus Bonfim Evaristo in Setúbal, Manu began his professional journey at Alverca, making his senior debut in the early 2000s. Over nearly two decades he wore the colours of 15 clubs in Portugal, Italy, Greece, Poland, China, and Cyprus. His best domestic return came at Estrela Amadora, where he scored 7 goals in 32 matches. In 2006 he joined Benfica, then coached by Fernando Santos, and made 17 appearances during the 2006/07 season. The winger amassed 130 Portuguese top‑flight matches, recording 13 goals and 31 assists.
After leaving Benfica he moved to Marítimo, logging 61 official appearances between 2008 and 2010. Legia Warsaw then paid €100,000 for his services; the winger repaid the trust with 5 goals and 8 assists in 46 outings, helping the club lift the Polish Cup in both 2011 and 2012. Later chapters included AEK Athens, Beijing Guoan, Ermis Aradippou, and Pafos FC, before he retired in 2019 with Vilafranquense.
- Debuts as a senior at FC Alverca
- Moves to Estrela Amadora, scores 7 goals in 32 games
- Represents Benfica, 17 appearances
- Over 50 matches for Marítimo
- Joins Legia Warsaw for €100,000, wins two Polish Cups
- Transfers to Beijing Guoan in China
- Retires at Vilafranquense
- Fatal car accident in Vermões, Sobral de Monte Agraço
Portuguese football pays tribute
Within hours three Portuguese clubs released statements of condolence. Benfica, where Manu spent the 2006/07 season, recalled a player who represented the club “with dedication and pride.”
Manú represented Benfica with dedication and pride during the 2006/07 season, where he completed 17 games. At this moment of pain, Sport Lisboa e Benfica addresses the family, friends and all those who were close to him the most heartfelt condolences.
Alverca, the club where the winger’s professional career effectively began, emphasised his formative years in the Ribatejo region.
Emanuel Jesus Bonfim Evaristo represented FC Alverca professionally over two and a half seasons, after also completing his final year of training in the club's youth ranks. It was in the Ribatejo that he took his first steps as a senior.
Marítimo, too, acknowledged his contribution during the 2008‑2010 spell, stating that the winger had donned the green‑and‑red shirt in over fifty official matches.
Manu is survived by his family. Reports on his age varied: most outlets listed him as 43, while one source, Observador, stated he was 45.
