Nuno Frechaut

Portuguese footballer

Nuno Miguel Frechaut Barreto (born 24 September 1977), known as Frechaut (fɾɛˈʃo), is a Portuguese retired professional footballer. A defender or midfielder, he could occupy a variety of positions. He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 233 matches and 11 goals over the course of 13 seasons, representing in the competition Vitória de Setúbal, Boavista and Braga. Frechaut appeared for Portugal at the 2002 World Cup.

Born in Lisbon, Frechaut emerged through Vitória de Setúbal's youth academy, making his first team – and Primeira Liga – debut in the 1996–97 season, at the age of 19. He went on to represent Boavista F. C. until December 2004, winning the national championship for the latter in 2001 whilst appearing mainly as right back. Following a failed Russian experience with FC Dynamo Moscow, Frechaut joined S. C. Braga in January 2006. In late August 2009, after three further full campaigns of regular use (an average of 22 games, with two UEFA Cup qualifications), he left the Minho club and Portugal, agreeing to a three year contract at French Ligue 2 side FC Metz. In August 2012, after appearing rarely for Associação Naval 1º de Maio in the Segunda Liga, 35 year old Frechaut returned to Boavista, reuniting with his former teammate Petit at the third tier team.

Frechaut won 17 caps for Portugal, still as a Boavista player. Frechaut was part of the nation's squads at both the 2002 World Cup – where he played and started in their only win in the competition, 4–0 over Poland– and the 2004 Summer Olympics.