Manuel José da Luz Correia Curto (born 9 July 1986) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Born in Torres Vedras, Lisbon District, Curto spent seven years in S.L. Benfica's youth system, where he operated as a forward. In the following years, however, he played in a more defensive position.
After several seasons in the lower leagues, Curto joined G.D. Estoril Praia in the Segunda Liga. In the 2010âÂÂ11 campaign he made his Primeira Liga debut with Associação Naval 1ú de Maio, his first match in the competition occurring on 24 September 2010 as he played nine minutes in a 3âÂÂ1 away loss against S.C. Braga.
On 20 March 2011, Curto scored twice from the penalty kick spot to help hosts Naval come from behind 2âÂÂ0 to earn a 2âÂÂ2 draw with S.C. Beira-Mar, but the Figueira da Foz club eventually suffered relegation, returning to the second division after a six-year stay. He met the same fate in 2011âÂÂ12 with his following team, U.D. Leiria.
Curto was part of the Portugal squad that won the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He scored in group-stage wins over Denmark (3âÂÂ2) and Austria (1âÂÂ0), then featured 21 minutes for the hosts in the 2âÂÂ1 final defeat of Spain.
In the FIFA U-17 World Cup held that same year in Finland, Curto scored a hat-trick in a 5âÂÂ5 draw against Cameroon in the group phase. The tournament's top scorer alongside Cesc Fàbregas and Carlos Hidalgo at five, he also found the net in the quarter-finals, but Portugal lost 5âÂÂ2 to Spain.
Portugal U17