Jose Manuel Pinto

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Jose Manuel Pinto

Cup Hero

An overview of Jose Manuel Pinto during FC Barcelona's triple championship winning 2008-09 season.

The rest of the squad call him Tao Pai Pai after the hitman on the cartoon series Bola de Drac and he's one of the dressing-room cheerleaders.

But for culés, José Manuel Pinto will always be the hero of the Copa del Rey 2008-09.

He arrived at Camp Nou in January 2008 to substitute the injured Albert Jorquera.

The club paid Celta €500,000 for him and at 34, Pinto knew that Rijkaard would continue to to put his trust in Valdés for the Number One spot.

And Pinto responded with total professionalism from Day One.

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José Manuel Pinto Colorado
8/11/1975

José Manuel Pinto - FC Barcelona Goalkeeper

El Puerto de Santa María
Cádiz Province
Andalucía

Goalkeeper
FC Barcelona
Squad Number: 13

Guardiola rewarded Pinto's attitude by making him first-choice goalkeeper for the Copa del Rey competition and Barça got to the semi-finals without too much difficulty.

It was in the second-leg of the semi-final against Mallorca that Pinto's name was added to the annals of glorious Barça history.

A penalty had been awarded against Barça and Martí could have forced the game into extra-time but veteran Pinto used psychology to unnerve the penalty-taker.

'Shoot the ball here!' he signalled with gestures and Martí fell for the bait.

Pinto blocked the shot and Barça qualified for the final. He had earned his place in the nets for the final in Mestalla in which he played a blinder.

The Andalusian will continue as Valdés' substitute for another season and - now that Silvinho has gone - is the oldest player in Barça's 2009-10 squad.

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