Mateus Galiano da Costa

Angolan footballer

However, Mateus was at the centre of a judicial controversy that erupted in Portuguese football, known as Caso Mateus (Mateus Affair), after a supposedly illegal registration by the Barcelos club. Following a lengthy judicial battle between Gil and C. F. Os Belenenses, the former were relegated. After an uneventful season with Gil Vicente in the second division, greatly delayed by the legal consequences, Mateus joined Boavista F. C. for the 2007–08 campaign. His new team was also eventually relegated, due to irregularities.

In 2008–09, Mateus moved to Madeira's C. D. Nacional, being a regular in their attack as they qualified for the UEFA Europa League. In the same season, he played six games and scored four goals as they reached the semi finals of the Taça de Portugal, including one in each leg of a 5–2 aggregate elimination by F. C. Paços de Ferreira. Mateus continued to be play frequently for the better part of the following years, notably netting nine goals in 24 matches in the 2011–12 season. On 7 April 2012, he scored twice in a 4–2 away victory over Funchal rivals C. S. Marítimo.

On 17 November 2013, Mateus moved to his country's league for the first time, signing for C. D. Primeiro de Agosto for the new year. In December 2015, he agreed a move back to Portugal's top flight, joining F. C. Arouca for the remainder of the campaign with the option of one more. Mateus returned to Boavista on 23 June 2017, signing a one year deal a decade after first joining the club. After six goals from 31 appearances in his first season back at the Estádio do Bessa, he extended his link until 2020. At the end of his contract, Mateus moved to Liga Portugal 2 side F. C. Penafiel on a one year deal. In July 2021, he dropped into the Liga 3 at the age of 37 with S. C. U. Torreense. Remaining in Portugal, Mateus then represented third tier U. D. Leiria and amateurs F. C. Maia Lidador in the Porto Football Association.

Mateus was first called up for Angola for the 2006 COSAFA Cup in Lesotho. He scored on his debut on 29 April in a 5–1 win over Mauritius, and again the next day in a 3–1 victory against the hosts, as his team came runners up to Zambia. Later in 2006, Mateus was called up to that year's FIFA World Cup, playing all three group stage matches including the entire 1–0 loss against Portugal. He also added three substitute appearances in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, as the Palancas Negras reached the quarter finals. On 8 October 2011, Mateus scored as Angola won 2–0 away to Guinea Bissau to pip Uganda to a spot at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. At the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, he scored the first goal of their opening 2–1 defeat of Burkina Faso, but Lito Vidigal's team were eliminated from the group. A year later, he started all three games as the team exited at the same stage. Mateus scored four times in qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, coming in braces in wins over Mauritania (4–1) and Burkina Faso (2–1). He captained the side at the finals in Egypt, falling again at the first hurdle. Mateus played his last match on 12 November 2021, a World Cup qualifier against Egypt.

Angola score listed first, score column indicates score after each Mateus goal. No. DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1.29 April 2006Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho4–15–12006 COSAFA Cup2.30 April 2006Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho1–03–13.8 October 2006Estádio da Cidadela, Luanda, Angola2–03–12008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification4.12 August 2009Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon, Portugal2–02–0Friendly5.8 October 2011Estádio 24 de Setembro, Bissau, Guinea Bissau2–02–02012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification6.14 January 2012Estádio Nacional do Chiazi, Cabinda, Angola2–13–1Friendly7.22 January 2012Estadio de Malabo, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea1–02–12012 Africa Cup of Nations8.17 October 2015Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa1–02–02016 African Nations Championship qualification9.12 October 2018Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola1–14–12019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification10.2–111.18 November 2018Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola1–02–112.2–013.13 October 2020Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior, Rio Maior, Portugal1–03–0Friendly14.2–0