José Manuel Monteiro da Veiga is a former professional goalkeeper whose career spanned Portugal, Spain, England and Cape Verde. A product of Benfica’s academy, he made his mark at Levante UD, joining the club in 1998 and playing a key role while becoming a steady presence over multiple seasons in Spain. After returning to Portugal with Estrela Amadora — where he featured in the Primeira Liga — Veiga later moved to England, representing clubs such as Tamworth, Hereford United, and Macclesfield Town. Known for his composure, reflexes, and leadership across all levels of competition, Veiga built a career defined by perseverance and adaptability across European football.
24/7 VALENCIA: Tell us a little about how great a goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme was – especially working with him as a young player. Do you think he received the media recognition across Europe that he deserved?
JOSÉ VEIGA: He was a gentleman on and off the pitch. In training or at the match he was a winner, making his presence felt every time and every day. Great inspiration for many keepers, which i think means he should have had more recognition across the world! It was a great honour to be able to see and work with him. Will never forget the experience.
Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa, Paulo Futre were all at Benfica when you were coming through – did you train with them? What was it like for a young player to work with such players, particularly Futre? Coming through in SL Benfica you would always see great players, idols, they were Benfica players. Sometimes, we would have the chance to see the training or starting at same time, and when they finished sometimes we would have the call and chance of getting involved, as players wanted a keeper to improve their finishing skills and it was challenging. But overwhelming to get involved at such young age with players of that calibre. It was a dream come true when, a few years on, I became a member of a S.L. Benfica squad.
Did you have anything to do with Sven Goran Eriksson when he was in charge of Benfica? He was a great manager, giving the club some really brilliant and good memories that year.
Why did you choose to leave Benfica? And why did you choose Alverca? At that time, Alverca was a satellite clube for Benfica. It was like a “BENFICA B”… we didn’t leave the club, we were on loan.Young players like myself, Deco, Maniche, Hugo Leal would have the chances to gain experience and express ourselves as opportunities at Benfica first team were very low, giving the dimension and experienced players at that time.In the first year, we struggled and almost went down but the following year we got promoted and Alverca couldn’t be a satellite for Benfica players anymore, as they were in the same division as Benfica
What about playing with Deco and Maniche at Alverca? How good were they as young players? Could you see as young players they would go onto the success they enjoyed in their careers? Yes. In that at Alverca team there were so many talented young players and we all needed a club like that to be able to gain experience and express ourselves in the pitch. We had Edgar Pacheco (Benfica / Real Madrid) Maniche (Benfica/ Porto/ Chelsea / Portugal national team). Bruno Basto (Benfica / Bordeaux). Hugo Leal(Benfica / Atlético Madrid). And Deco being the most known player from that incredible group … playing for Benfica, Porto, Barcelona and Chelsea and a Portuguese international as well. On the pitch, we just worked so hard to help each other that we ended up getting promoted…even against all the odds.It was a tremendous experience, which in one way or the other was the turning point for many of us starting our career.
Tell us a little about the emotions of playing against Portugal for Cape Verde. Where does that stand in your career? Especially with Deco and Maniche on the pitch? Not really the best memory actually. I was expecting to be more involved in the game as I was the number 1 at that time and for some reason the manager only allowed me to play the last 5 minutes, which I wasn’t happy about and I expressed that. However, I do have great memories from being involved with the National side of Cape Verde, which was a pleasure every time we all got together and it’s no surprise they have been successful and I’m sure there’s more to come.
Did you have other offers? I was given the chance to stay as 3rd choice for Benfica or to go and play in Spain for Levante UD. I decided to go to Spain and play for Levante UD, as it was a good opportunity to play and express myself.
How did your move to Levante UD come about? Do you still have contact with the club today?I was playing for Alverca when they were looking our midfield and I was playing well and that called their attention and they really wanted me to go and play for them. Yes, basically I am in still touch with everyone at Levante UD. The then doctor of the club, José Nebot, and our then team captain Fernando Giner came with the idea of getting everyone together again and as result we all ended up in the stadium with a “lap” of honour. It was brilliant to see and talk with that special team again and hopefully to see them all again in the next reunion in Valencia. A big thank you to Levante UD for making the reunion possible. Levante UD was one of the most important chapters of my career. It was a club full of passion, humility, and hard work. When I look back, I remember a team that always punched above its weight.
What stands out the most from your time at the club?The atmosphere. Levante wasn’t a club of big stars—it was a club of big hearts. We had a tight-knit squad, and the fans were incredible. Even when things were tough, they pushed us forward. I’ll never forget that feeling when you walk into Ciutat de València and hear the crowd behind you.
Goalkeepers often speak about pressure differently than outfield players. How did you handle it during your time there? Goalkeeping is its own world. You can have a perfect match but make one mistake and it’s the only thing people remember. At Levante, I learned to develop a strong mentality. You must stay calm, analyze situations, and move on quickly. The coaches helped me a lot with that—both on the technical side and the emotional side.
Are there specific matches or moments that you still think about today? Definitely. There were a few games where the team showed real character. I remember matches where we held onto narrow leads, or where the defense and I were under constant pressure but still managed to keep a clean sheet. Those are the moments that stay with you—when the team leaves everything on the pitch.
What did playing in Spain teach you as a goalkeeper and as a person? Spain teaches you to respect the game. The technical level is very high, and you face strikers with incredible finishing ability. You’re forced to grow quickly. Off the pitch, I learned about discipline and professionalism. Levante had a very family-oriented environment, and I felt I grew not just as a player but as a human being.
Do you still follow Levante UD today? Of course! It’s a club that stays in your heart. I keep an eye on their matches and results. I always hope they succeed because they deserve it—the fans, the staff, everyone involved.
What have you made of the Levante UD of today – being established in LaLiga? Is it a surprise? No surprise at all. It’s a big club and it’s where it belongs (LaLiga) with hopefully more successes to come…being back in the top division is just another sign that their direction is right.
How would you summarize your time at Levante in one sentence? A beautiful experience that shaped me both as a player and as a man.
What convinced you about moving to England? What convinced me was the environment and passion people had for football. Also, the financial stability in Britain compared to the financial instability in Portugal at the time. Tamworth may not be an elite club like Benfica or Levante UD…but it was elite enough as they gave me the opportunity to express myself in English football. I enjoyed the commitment here and the warm welcome that I still live in Tamworth, even when I played for other clubs, representing and being a goalkeeper coach with Hednesford Town. My plans are to be able to pass my experience to the younger keepers. As Goalkeeper coach, I was gk coach with Hednesford town first team and I coached the young keepers independently of their age, ability or level with the Elite football academy, based in Tamworth. I passed my experience on for an enjoyable game or training session or if they wanted to persuit the dream of being professional… because I believed they could be one day! I am still based in England and I continue to coach goalkeepers to this day,
What advice would you give to young goalkeepers who dream of playing at a professional level? Focus on consistency and mentality. Talent is important, but without perseverance you won’t go far. Work on your basics every day—positioning, communication, footwork. But also learn to stay calm under pressure. The best goalkeepers aren’t always the most spectacular—they’re the ones who make things look easy.
Interview by Will McCarthy
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
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