José Henrique Rodrigues Marques (born 18 May 1943, Arrentela, Portugal) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Benfica at club level.

José Henrique first played at Amora, from 1961/62 to 1963/64, then moving to Seixal, for the 1964/65 season. He was noticed in Atlético, in 1965/66, before moving to Benfica, were he played from 1966/67 to 1978/79, and was the main goalkeeper until the 1973/74 season. He shared the spot with another great goalkeeper, Manuel Bento, until 1975/76. He was called "Zé Gato" (Joe Cat), for his ability as a keeper. He won the titles of National Champion for the seasons of 1967/68, 1968/69, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1974/75, 1975/76 and 1976/77, and the Cup of Portugal, for 1969, 1970 and 1972. He played in the 1968 Champions Cup final, in London, when Benfica lost 4–1 with Manchester United, in extra time.

He was one of the best Portuguese goalkeepers of all times, playing 15 times for the National Team, from 10 December 1969, in a 0–1 defeat with England, in a friendly match, in London, to the 2–2 draw with Bulgaria, 13 October 1973, in Lisbon, for the World Cup 1974 qualifyings. It would also be Eusébio's farewell to the National Team. He had to face the rivality of another great goalkeeper, Vítor Damas, which explains why he didn't have more caps for the National Team.

The peak of his international career was at the Independence Cup of Brazil, in 1972, where he played in all the games for Portugal, that finally lost the final to Brazil, by 0–1.

He played for Nacional, from Funchal, Madeira, then a II Division team, for the seasons of 1979/80 and 1980/81, before putting an end to his career. After ending it, he become a coach, with minor results, and latter a youth coach in Benfica.

[edit] External links

• José Henrique at Vedeta ou Marreta? Site (In Portuguese)

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