He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 247 matches and 111 goals over 12 seasons, with Académica (two spells) and Porto.
In a 14-year professional career, he played almost exclusively for two teams; having started out at Académica de Coimbra, his excellent performances earned him a transfer – at only 19 – to FC Porto, where he appeared sparingly over three years (still managing to score regularly).
[1] In 1968, Manuel António returned to Académica, being crowned the Primeira Liga's top scorer in the first season in his second spell, with the Students finishing in sixth place.
Manuel António won four caps for Portugal in eight months, his debut coming on 6 April 1969 in a 0–0 friendly draw against Mexico.
[3] After retiring, Manuel António majored in medicine, being in charge of Coimbra's Portuguese Institute of Oncology for several years.