Photo: Bert Verhoeff for Anefo / CC0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Rui Jordão's story moves me more than most footballers I write about. Born in Benguela, Angola, he became one of the most prolific strikers in Portuguese history, starring for both Benfica and Sporting CP, fierce rivals, and winning the Silver Ball once at each. Earning adoration on both sides of such a divide says everything about how pure his goalscoring instinct must have been. He wasn't physically imposing at 179 cm, yet he's remembered as a defining number nine. Since his passing in 2019, I think his wandering striker's tale deserves to be retold far beyond Portugal's borders.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Rui Jordão
- Name (Japanese)
- ルイ・ジョルダン
- Reading
- るい・じょるだん
- Born
- August 9, 1952 – October 18, 2019
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Dragon
- Origin
- Benguela, Benguela Province, Angola
- Height
- 179 cm
- Occupation
- association football player
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Rui Jordão born?
August 9, 1952 – October 18, 2019.
Where is Rui Jordão from?
Rui Jordão is from Benguela, Benguela Province, Angola.
What does Rui Jordão do?
Rui Jordão works as association football player.
How tall is Rui Jordão?
Rui Jordão is 179 cm.
Association football player — see all → · More people from Angola →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.