View source for Hélder Postiga

{{short description|Portuguese footballer (born 1982)}}
{{Redirect|Postiga|his younger brother|José Postiga}}
{{Portuguese name|Marques|Postiga}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Hélder Postiga
| image = DEP-GET 072 1200 (15516752520).jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Postiga playing for [[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo]] in 2014
| full_name = Hélder Manuel Marques Postiga<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf|title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Portugal|publisher=FIFA|page=22|date=21 March 2014|access-date=12 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf|archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|8|2|df=y}}<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jogador/helder-postiga/22031|title=Hélder Postiga|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Vila do Conde]], Portugal
| height = 1.82 m<ref name=Bio/>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995 | youthclubs1 = [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]
| youthyears2 = 1995–2000 | youthclubs2 = [[FC Porto|Porto]]
| years1 = 2000–2001 | clubs1 = [[FC Porto B|Porto B]] | caps1 = 37 | goals1 = 10
| years2 = 2001–2003 | clubs2 = [[FC Porto|Porto]] | caps2 = 58 | goals2 = 22
| years3 = 2003–2004 | clubs3 = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] | caps3 = 19 | goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2004–2008 | clubs4 = [[FC Porto|Porto]] | caps4 = 56 | goals4 = 15
| years5 = 2006 | clubs5 = → [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]] (loan) | caps5 = 16 | goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2008 | clubs6 = → [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] (loan) | caps6 = 11 | goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2008–2011 | clubs7 = [[Sporting CP]] | caps7 = 71 | goals7 = 12
| years8 = 2011–2013 | clubs8 = [[Real Zaragoza|Zaragoza]] | caps8 = 70 | goals8 = 23
| years9 = 2013–2014 | clubs9 = [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] | caps9 = 15 | goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2014 | clubs10 = → [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] (loan) | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2014–2015 | clubs11 = [[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo La Coruña]] | caps11 = 14 | goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2015 | clubs12 = [[ATK (football club)|Atlético Kolkata]] | caps12 = 1 | goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2016 | clubs13 = [[Rio Ave F.C.|Rio Ave]] | caps13 = 10 | goals13 = 5
| years14 = 2016 | clubs14 = [[ATK (football club)|Atlético Kolkata]] | caps14 = 11 | goals14 = 2
| totalcaps = 394 | totalgoals = 100
| nationalyears1 = 2001–2003 | nationalteam1 = [[Portugal national under-21 football team|Portugal U21]] | nationalcaps1 = 16 | nationalgoals1 = 12
| nationalyears2 = 2002 | nationalteam2 = [[Portugal national football B team|Portugal B]] | nationalcaps2 = 2 | nationalgoals2 = 1 
| nationalyears3 = 2003–2014 | nationalteam3 = [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] | nationalcaps3 = 71 | nationalgoals3 = 27
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{medal|Country|{{fb|POR}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|Runner-up|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004 Portugal]]|}}
{{Medal|B|[[UEFA Euro 2012|2012 Poland-Ukraine]]|}}<!--Though there was no third place playoff, UEFA decided in the 2012 edition to award the semi-final losers (Germany and Portugal) bronze medals.-->
}}
'''Hélder Manuel Marques Postiga''' {{post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Infante D. Henrique|OIH]]}} ({{IPA|pt|ˈɛldɛɾ puʃˈtiɣɐ}}; born 2 August 1982) is a Portuguese former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[striker (association football)|striker]].

After beginning at [[FC Porto|Porto]], where he won eight items of silverware along the way, he amassed [[Primeira Liga]] totals of 195 games and 54 goals over 11 seasons, with that club, [[Sporting CP]] and [[Rio Ave F.C.|Rio Ave]]. He also played in six foreign countries, most notably in Spain where he totalled 27 goals in 99 [[La Liga]] matches for three teams.

A [[Portugal national football team|Portugal international]] since 2003, Postiga represented the country in two [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]] and three [[UEFA European Championship|European Championships]], helping the nation to reach the final at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]].

==Club career==
===Porto===
Born in [[Vila do Conde]], Postiga began his career at nearby [[Varzim S.C.|Varzim]]. In 1995, he joined [[FC Porto|Porto]]'s youth system and continued to progress until he reached the [[FC Porto B|reserve squad]]. At the time, coach [[Octávio Machado]] picked him for the first team on some occasions and the player performed well.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/fc-porto/detalhe/helder-postiga-a-crescer-para-assumir-titularidade|title=Hélder Postiga a «crescer» para assumir titularidade|trans-title=Hélder Postiga "growing" to take on starting duties|newspaper=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|language=pt|date=17 December 2001|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref>

After [[José Mourinho]] was hired as manager, Postiga became a first-team regular. The 20-year-old scored 19 times in [[2002–03 Primeira Liga|2002–03]], playing alongside [[Derlei]] as Porto won the [[Treble (association football)|treble]].<ref name=Tottenham>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=77051.html|title=Tottenham turn to Postiga|publisher=UEFA|date=25 June 2003|access-date=17 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024091714/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=77051.html|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> This included 13 in a victorious league run<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/744396/andre-silva-a-um-golo-de-destronar-helder-postiga-e-de-entrar-na-historia|title=André Silva a um golo de destronar Hélder Postiga e de entrar na história|trans-title=André Silva one goal away from dethroning Hélder Postiga and making history|publisher=Notícias Ao Minuto|language=pt|date=19 February 2017|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> as well as five in an eventual [[2002–03 UEFA Cup|conquest of the UEFA Cup]], although he missed [[2003 UEFA Cup final|the final]] due to suspension.<ref name=Tottenham/> Following his successful season, he made his senior international debut for [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].<ref name=Tottenham/>

===Tottenham Hotspur===
On 25 June 2003, Postiga moved to [[Premier League]] club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] for [[Pound sterling|£]]6.25 million ([[Euro|€]]9 million), a fee that could have risen to £8.36 million (€12 million).<ref name=Tottenham/> He signed a five-year contract, with manager [[Glenn Hoddle]] remarking: "He is a player who will add definite striking quality to our squad and is a young player of proven ability. I'm sure our supporters will enjoy watching him over the coming seasons."<ref name=Tottenham/>

Postiga made his debut on 16 August 2003 in a 1–0 away defeat to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]], starting but being [[Substitute (association football)|replaced]] by fellow new signing [[Bobby Zamora]] after 57 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3140891.stm|title=Dunn shatters Spurs hopes|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 August 2003|access-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> His first goal came on 3 December, the second of a 3–1 home win against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in the [[2003–04 Football League Cup|round of 16]] of the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3246958.stm|title=Postiga sends Spurs through|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2003|access-date=27 August 2009}}</ref> while his only in the league contributed to a 2–1 victory over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] on 17 January 2004, also at [[White Hart Lane]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3385513.stm|title=Tottenham 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2004|access-date=27 August 2009}}</ref>

===Porto return===
[[File:Helder Postiga.JPG|thumb|Postiga as a [[FC Porto|Porto]] player in 2007]]
In summer 2004, Postiga returned to Porto in a deal that sent [[Pedro Mendes (footballer, born 1979)|Pedro Mendes]] in the other direction, with the striker being valued at €7.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/019f-0ea6cc8cb6b9-ffdbe34a953c-1000--postiga-back-at-porto/|title=Postiga back at Porto|publisher=UEFA|date=9 July 2004|access-date=17 June 2010}}</ref> New coach [[Víctor Fernández]] included him in the team for the [[2004–05 Primeira Liga|upcoming campaign]], but he had another disappointing year;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/fc-porto/detalhe/victor-fernandez-nao-esperava|title=Víctor Fernández: «Não esperava»|trans-title=Víctor Fernández: "I did not expect this"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=1 February 2005|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref> however, following [[José Couceiro]]'s appointment as manager, he managed to score three goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2005/04/04/jornal/postiga-golo-serve-para-motivar-os-meus-colegas-14062|title=Postiga: "Golo serve para motivar os meus colegas"|trans-title=Postiga: "Goal acts as motivation for my teammates"|newspaper=[[Público (Portugal)|Público]]|language=pt|date=4 April 2005|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref>

In 2005, after a promising preseason, Postiga was demoted to the B team as [[Co Adriaanse]] was not happy with his performances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2005/12/13/jornal/helder-postiga-sai-do-fc-porto-magoado-com-co-adriaanse-53567|title=Hélder Postiga sai do FC Porto "magoado com Co Adriaanse"|trans-title=Hélder Postiga leaves FC Porto "hurt with Co Adriaanse"|newspaper=Público|language=pt|date=13 December 2005|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> In January of the following year, trying to earn a place in the 2006 World Cup, he moved on loan to [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.fr/football/ligue-1/2005-2006/postiga-a-saint-etienne_sto801659/story.shtml|title=Postiga à Saint-Etienne|trans-title=Postiga to Saint-Etienne|publisher=[[Eurosport]]|language=fr|date=12 December 2005|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> where he netted twice in [[Ligue 1]], against [[FC Metz|Metz]] and [[Le Mans FC|Le Mans]], both resulting in 1–0 away wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footmercato.net/ligue-1/lyon-chute-lourdement-et-l-om-se-reveille_4871|title=Lyon chute lourdement et l'OM se réveille!|trans-title=Lyon take a heavy fall and OM wake up again!|publisher=Foot Mercato|language=fr|date=27 February 2006|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/le-mans-72000/ligue-1-le-mans-arrache-le-nul-face-saint-etienne-613067|title=Ligue 1. Le Mans arrache le nul face à Saint-Etienne|trans-title=Ligue 1. Le Mans scrape draw against Saint-Etienne|newspaper=[[Ouest-France]]|language=fr|date=29 November 2009|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

Back at Porto for [[2006–07 Primeira Liga|2006–07]], Postiga found himself back in the main squad due to a managerial change.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/fc-porto/detalhe/postiga-agradece-a-jesualdo-scolari-e-colegas?ref=Saber+Mais_BlocoSaberMais&act=0&est=Aberto|title=Postiga agradece a Jesualdo, Scolari e colegas|trans-title=Postiga thanks Jesualdo, Scolari and teammates|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=9 November 2006|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref> A regular starter in the beginning, he nonetheless fell out of favour towards the end of the season, losing his place to Brazilian [[Adriano (footballer, born January 1979)|Adriano]] though he still managed to score 11 league goals;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/fc-porto/detalhe/adriano-agora-sinto-me-util|title=Adriano: "Agora sinto-me útil"|trans-title=Adriano: "I feel useful now"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=27 February 2007|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/arquivo/diario-de-noticias/postiga-e-liedson,-goleadores-'ausentes'.html|title=Postiga e Liedson, goleadores 'ausentes'|trans-title=Postiga and Liedson, 'absent' scorers|newspaper=[[Diário de Notícias]]|last1=Frias|first1=Rui|last2=Freches|first2=Sílvia|language=pt|date=14 March 2007|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/fc-porto/detalhe/o-imperador-adriano|title=O imperador Adriano|trans-title=Emperor Adriano|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=14 May 2007|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> in his two spells, he appeared in 165 games in all competitions and netted 48 times.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/rio-ave/detalhe/postiga-europeu-marcafinalmente-ao-fc-porto|title=Postiga 'europeu' marca finalmente ao FC Porto|trans-title='European' Postiga finally scores to FC Porto|newspaper=Record|last=Queirós|first=Eugénio|language=pt|date=8 May 2016|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref>

In mid-January 2008, after having again fallen out of favour, Postiga moved to [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] on a six-month loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01c9-0ea94dcbd9aa-11dd1cb17239-1000--panathinaikos-take-on-porto-s-postiga/|title=Panathinaikos take on Porto's Postiga|publisher=UEFA|date=14 January 2008|access-date=17 June 2010}}</ref> His first goal for the club came in the [[List of sports rivalries|Athens derby]] against [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]], in which he equalised (1–1).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://futebol365.pt/artigo/19336-grecia-postiga-marca-golo-do-empate-e-coloca-panathinaikos-na-lideranca/|title=Grécia: Postiga marca golo do empate e coloca Panathinaikos na liderança|trans-title=Greece: Postiga scores equaliser and puts Panathinaikos on top|publisher=Futebol 365|language=pt|date=2 March 2008|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

===Sporting CP===
On 1 June 2008, Postiga moved to Portuguese rivals [[Sporting CP]], signing a three-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €2.5 million, with the [[Lisbon]] side acquiring 50% of the player's rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01ce-0f84dd87883e-dc66e30e0869-1000--postiga-leaves-porto-for-sporting/|title=Postiga leaves Porto for Sporting|publisher=UEFA|date=1 June 2008|access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> He scored his first official goal for his new club on 1 September, the only in a victory at [[S.C. Braga|Braga]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/detalhe/sporting-cresceu-e-ja-sabe-sofrer|title=Sporting cresceu e já sabe sofrer|trans-title=Sporting have grown up and already know how to suffer|newspaper=[[Correio da Manhã (Portugal)|Correio da Manhã]]|language=pt|date=2 September 2008|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

Postiga's [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|second season]] as a ''Lion'' was disastrous, both collectively – Sporting finished fourth – and individually (he only found the net on 19 April 2010, closing the 2–1 home win over [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória de Setúbal]] after just one minute on the pitch);<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.cv/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/heroi-postiga-regressa-aos-golos-e-decide|title=Herói Postiga regressa aos golos e decide|trans-title=Hero Postiga returns to goals and decides it|publisher=[[SAPO (company)|SAPO]]|last=Dias|first=Bruno Miguel|language=pt|date=19 April 2010|access-date=10 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410202137/https://desporto.sapo.cv/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/heroi-postiga-regressa-aos-golos-e-decide|archive-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> although he began as a starter, he soon lost his job to youth graduate [[Carlos Saleiro]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/postiga-foi-uma-epoca-muito-dificil.html|title=Postiga: "Foi uma época muito difícil"|trans-title=Postiga: "It was a very difficult season"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=7 April 2010|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

===Zaragoza===
[[File:Celebracion Real Zaragoza 2013 postiga (cropped).JPG|thumb|Postiga (kneeling) celebrating a goal against [[Athletic Bilbao]]]]
On 31 August 2011, the last day of the summer [[transfer window]], Postiga joined [[Real Zaragoza]] of [[La Liga]] for €1 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR35401.pdf|title=Comunicado|trans-title=Announcement|publisher=[[Portuguese Securities Market Commission]]|language=pt|date=31 August 2011|access-date=24 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-sporting-news/26925-sporting-sell-postiga-and-yannick|title=Sporting sell Postiga and Yannick|publisher=PortuGOAL|last=Kundert|first=Tom|date=31 August 2011|access-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124151038/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-sporting-news/26925-sporting-sell-postiga-and-yannick|archive-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> At the Spanish side, he reunited with his compatriots [[Fernando Meira]] and [[Rúben Micael]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/futebol/detalhe/helder-postiga-vai-jogar-para-o-saragoca|title=Hélder Postiga vai jogar para o Saragoça|trans-title=Hélder Postiga will play to Zaragoza|newspaper=Correio da Manhã|language=pt|date=31 August 2011|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> 

After three disallowed goals in as many matches,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes/la_semana_negra_postiga.html|title=La semana negra de Helder Postiga|trans-title=Hélder Postiga's black week|newspaper=[[Heraldo de Aragón]]|last=Mercadal|first=Javier|language=es|date=26 September 2011|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> Postiga opened his scoring account on 16 October 2011, netting twice in a 2–0 home defeat of [[Real Sociedad]]; this included a [[bicycle kick]] in the 11th minute of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323963?cc=5739|title=Postiga double downs Sociedad|publisher=[[ESPN FC|ESPN Soccernet]]|date=16 October 2011|access-date=16 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310043331/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323963?cc=5739|archive-date=10 March 2012}}</ref> He finished [[2011–12 La Liga|the season]] as club top scorer, in an eventual narrow escape from relegation.

On 10 November 2012, Postiga scored a brace to help the [[Aragon]]ese to a 5–3 defeat of ten-men [[Deportivo de La Coruña]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/348408/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Zaragoza edge eight goal thriller|publisher=ESPN FC|date=10 November 2012|access-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109120557/http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/348408/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|archive-date=9 January 2013}}</ref> He scored a career-best 14 goals during [[2012–13 La Liga|the campaign]], but his team was relegated.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2014/12/12/reconocible-sequia-helder/00031418401750619814189.htm|title=La reconocible sequía de Hélder Postiga|trans-title=Hélder Postiga's recognisable drought|newspaper=[[La Voz de Galicia]]|last=Bouzas|first=Fabián|language=es|date=12 December 2014|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

===Valencia===
On 8 August 2013, Postiga joined [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] for a fee of £2.6 million, replacing Tottenham-bound [[Roberto Soldado]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/020c-0e8599eeb6f8-2948414895f0-1000--valencia-bring-in-postiga-from-zaragoza/|title=Valencia bring in Postiga from Zaragoza|publisher=UEFA|date=8 August 2013|access-date=9 August 2013}}</ref> On 1 September, in only the third match of [[2013–14 La Liga|the season]], he netted twice late into the first half of the game against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] at the [[Mestalla Stadium]], but in an eventual 2–3 home loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373189/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Messi magic earns Barca win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=1 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905063351/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373189/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|archive-date=5 September 2013}}</ref>

Postiga was loaned to [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] for the remainder of [[2013–14 Serie A|the campaign]] on 30 January 2014, with the option of a permanent move afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0211-0e889911de3d-6f6d68a713ff-1000--lazio-loan-valencia-striker-postiga/|title=Lazio loan Valencia striker Postiga|publisher=UEFA|date=30 January 2014|access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> He made his debut in [[Serie A]] on 26 March, playing 20 minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to [[Genoa CFC|Genoa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2014/03/26/news/genoa-lazio_2-0_gilardino_e_fetfatzidis_blindano_la_salvezza-82002275/|title=Genoa-Lazio 2–0, Gilardino e Fetfatzidis blindano la salvezza rossoblù|trans-title=Genoa-Lazio 2–0, Gilardino and Fetfatzidis secure red-and-blue survival|newspaper=[[La Repubblica]]|language=it|last=Gaetani|first=Marco|date=26 March 2014|access-date=14 October 2014}}</ref>

===Deportivo===
On 1 September 2014, Postiga terminated his link with Valencia, and subsequently signed a one-year deal with fellow top-division team Deportivo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canaldeportivo.com/servlet/es.iris.servlets.Noticias?accion=4&ver=1&nid=28670&mid=12|title=Hélder Postiga, nueva incorporación del Deportivo|trans-title=Hélder Postiga, new addition of Deportivo|publisher=Deportivo La Coruña|language=es|date=1 September 2014|access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref> He made his competitive debut two weeks later, featuring the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 win at [[SD Eibar|Eibar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2014_15/primera/jornada_3/eib_dep/|title=El Dépor pone una pica en Ipurua|trans-title=Depor stick a pike into Ipurua|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|last=Aldunate|first=Ramiro|language=es|date=15 September 2014|access-date=8 November 2014}}</ref> His first goal for the [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicians]] came in his fifth match on 31 October: coming on at [[half-time]] for [[Luis Fariña]], he scored a consolation in a 1–2 home loss to [[Getafe CF|Getafe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/327040/report|title=Primera Division: Getafe up to ninth with 2–1 away win over Deportivo|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=31 October 2014|access-date=8 November 2014}}</ref> A week later, he was [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|sent off]] in the 29th minute of a goalless draw at [[Córdoba CF|Córdoba]], earning a second yellow card for a reaction when fouled by [[Íñigo López (footballer)|Íñigo López]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/322235/report|title=Goalless draw in Cordoba|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 November 2014|access-date=19 January 2015}}</ref>

Postiga spent the better part of [[2014–15 La Liga|the season]] injured,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2015/02/27/primera/1425075276_385511.html|title=Postiga, operado por segunda vez de su lesión de espalda|trans-title=Postiga, second back surgery for him|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|language=es|date=27 February 2015|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref> as ''Depor'' went on to narrowly avoid relegation.

===Atlético Kolkata===
On 29 July 2015, Postiga signed as the marquee player of [[Indian Super League]] franchise [[Atlético de Kolkata]]; at 32, he was the youngest such player in the competition, and was deemed by the management to be less injury-prone than his predecessor [[Luis García (footballer, born 1978)|Luis García]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/In-big-coup-Atletico-de-Kolkata-rope-in-Portugal-World-Cupper-Helder-Postiga/articleshow/48276400.cms|title=In big coup, Atletico de Kolkata rope in Portugal World Cupper Helder Postiga|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|last=Bhattacharya|first=Nilesh|date=30 July 2015|access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref> He made his debut on 3 October in the opening game of [[2015 Indian Super League|the season]], scoring twice in a 3–2 win at [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]] but leaving with an injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/footballnext/news/isl-2-helder-postiga-shines-on-debut-as-atletico-de-kolkata-win-opener-1134064.html|title=ISL 2: Helder Postiga shines on debut as Atletico de Kolkata win opener|publisher=[[News18]]|last=Nandwani|first=Abhishek|date=3 October 2015|access-date=3 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004171225/http://www.ibnlive.com/footballnext/news/isl-2-helder-postiga-shines-on-debut-as-atletico-de-kolkata-win-opener-1134064.html|archive-date=4 October 2015}}</ref> He made no further appearances, as they went on to be eliminated by precisely that opponent in the [[2015 Indian Super League playoffs|play-off semi-finals]].

===Rio Ave===
On 1 February 2016, Postiga returned to his homeland, signing for top-flight [[Rio Ave F.C.|Rio Ave]] until the end of [[2015–16 Primeira Liga|the season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/arquivo/diario-de-noticias/surpresa-helder-postiga-reforca-o-rio-ave-5010185.html|title=Surpresa: Hélder Postiga reforça o Rio Ave|trans-title=Surprise: Hélder Postiga bolsters Rio Ave|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|language=pt|date=1 February 2016|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref> In his second match, 26 days later, he opened a 2–1 away victory over [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]] which was his 50th goal in the division.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.agazeta.co.uk/helder-postiga-o-golo-50-catorze-anos-depois-do-primeiro/|title=Hélder Postiga: o golo 50 catorze anos depois do primeiro|trans-title=Hélder Postiga: the 50th goal fourteen years after the first|newspaper=A Gazeta|last1=Figueiredo|first1=João Tiago|last2=Madureira|first2=Nuno|language=pt|date=1 March 2016|access-date=2 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308111305/http://www.agazeta.co.uk/helder-postiga-o-golo-50-catorze-anos-depois-do-primeiro/|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

On 14 May 2016, in the last fixture, Postiga scored the winning goal as his team won 2–1 at [[C.F. União|União da Madeira]], [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League|qualifying for the Europa League]] and relegating their opponents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=612080|title=Rio Ave vence na Madeira (2–1), qualifica-se para a Europa e atira União para a Liga 2|trans-title=Rio Ave win in Madeira (2–1), qualify themselves for Europe and send União to League 2|newspaper=[[A Bola]]|language=pt|date=14 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515101853/http://abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=612080|archive-date=15 May 2016}}</ref>

===Return to Kolkata===
On 12 August 2016, Postiga returned to Atlético Kolkata as their marquee player.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/helder-postiga-regressa-ao-atletico-de-kolkata|title=Hélder Postiga regressa ao Atlético de Kolkata|trans-title=Hélder Postiga returns to Atlético de Kolkata|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=12 August 2016|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/helder-postiga-retained-as-atletico-de-kolkata-marquee-borja-lara-stay/story-YLXa7grRNQbEELJaG0jjMI.html|title=Helder Postiga retained as Atletico de Kolkata marquee; Borja, Lara stay|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|last=Sarkar|first=Dhiman|date=12 August 2016|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> Early in his second match of [[2016 Indian Super League|the season]], away to [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] on 5 October, he suffered another long-term injury; the club's ownership admitted that due to such concerns they had wanted a different figurehead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/sports/football/isl-helder-postiga-ruled-of-action-next-three-matches-2236308.html|title=ISL: Helder Postiga ruled out of action for next three matches|publisher=[[Oneindia]]|last=Sarkar|first=Sujata|date=17 October 2016|access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>

Postiga returned to the lineups and the side eventually won the championship, although he was substituted in [[2016 Indian Super League final|the final]].<ref name=ISL>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/atletico-de-kolkata-crowned-isl-2016-champions-after-beating-kerala-blasters-fc/story-9WrkSZzrU73zJnH3LYobQN.html|title=Atletico de Kolkata crowned ISL 2016 champions after beating Kerala Blasters FC|newspaper=Hindustan Times|last=Sarkar|first=Dhiman|date=18 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>

==International career==
{{quote box
| width = 35%
| align = right
| quote = "Hélder is one of the most promising youngsters I've seen in Europe."
| source = &nbsp;<small>— [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]], June 2003</small><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=165344|title=''Spur'' Hélder Postiga elogiado por Scolari|trans-title=Scolari praises Spur Hélder Postiga|newspaper=Record|last=Cordeiro Pereira|first=Francisco|language=pt|date=26 June 2003|access-date=21 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416102238/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=165344|archive-date=16 April 2013}}</ref>
}}
Postiga earned the first of his 71 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] for the [[Portugal national football team|Portugal national team]] (27 goals)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/jornal-dia/outros/rio-ave--a-pensar-no-europeu-5010415.html|title=Rio Ave {{!}} A pensar no Europeu|trans-title=Rio Ave {{!}} Thinking about the European Championship|newspaper=[[O Jogo]]|last=Veloso Gomes|first=André|language=pt|date=2 February 2016|access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> on 12 February 2003 in a [[Exhibition game#International football|friendly]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]], where he came on as a substitute for [[Tiago Mendes]] in the 70th minute – this game was also [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]]'s first as manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=150851|title=Trio surpreendido com convocatória|trans-title=Trio surprised with callup|newspaper=Record|last1=Abecasis|first1=João Pedro|last2=Paulo|first2=Joaquim|language=pt|date=7 February 2003|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182845/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=150851|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=151460|title=Itália-Portugal, 1–0 (Corradi 62')|trans-title=Italy-Portugal, 1–0 (Corradi 62')|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=12 February 2003|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182625/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=151460|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> He was handed his first start on 10 June in the 4–0 win over [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]], where he scored his first two international goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=163813|title=Primeiros golos de Postiga|trans-title=First Postiga goals|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=11 June 2003|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182726/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=163813|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=163818|title=Scolari: "No próximo encontro vou cobrar dos atletas"|trans-title=Scolari: "Next match I will ask the athletes some tough questions"|newspaper=Record|last=Freitas|first=Céu|language=pt|date=11 June 2003|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216183001/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=163818|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Helder Postiga – Portugal vs. Argentina, 9th February 2011 (1).jpg|thumb|left|Postiga in action for [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in a friendly against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] on 9 February 2011]]
Even though he had arguably a poor year with Tottenham, Postiga was selected for [[UEFA Euro 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=197722|title=Postiga: "Uma imensa felicidade"|trans-title=Postiga: "An immense happiness"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=18 May 2004|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216183005/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=197722|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=198502|title=Hélder Postiga não se considera terceira opção no ataque|trans-title=Hélder Postiga does not see himself as third-choice striker|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=26 May 2004|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182620/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=198502|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> In the tournament, he managed to save his team from defeat against [[England national football team|England]] during the [[UEFA Euro 2004 knockout stage#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]], netting an 83rd-minute equaliser to level the score at 1–1 as Portugal would prevail in the [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] 6–5 after a 2–2 draw. He converted his attempt with a "[[Antonín Panenka#Panenka penalty|Panenka]]-style" shot,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3830451.stm|title=Portugal break England hearts|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 June 2004|access-date=13 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=201800|title=Carta de Panenka|trans-title=Letter from Panenka|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=25 June 2004|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182732/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=201800|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> but did not feature in [[UEFA Euro 2004 final|the final]], lost 1–0 to outsiders [[Greece national football team|Greece]].<ref name=EURO>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3860105.stm|title=Greece win Euro 2004|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=4 July 2004|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref>

Postiga was included in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] squad, starting against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] in a 2–1 win at the end of the [[2006 FIFA World Cup Group D|group phase]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853302.stm|title=Portugal 2–1 Mexico|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2006|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> In the quarter-finals, after replacing captain [[Luís Figo]], he again scored to eliminate England on penalties,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm|title=England 0–0 Portugal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 July 2006|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> as the nation eventually finished fourth.

In [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], Postiga was also mainly used from the bench. In the quarter-finals against [[Germany national football team|Germany]], he scored a late goal by [[Header (association football)|heading]] in a cross from fellow replacement [[Nani (footballer)|Nani]], although Portugal lost 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363493.stm|title=Portugal 2–3 Germany|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McKenzie|first=Andrew|date=19 June 2008|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> 

After more than two years of absence from the national team setup, Postiga was called up for two [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying|Euro 2012 qualifiers]] with [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] and [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]], in October 2010. On 12 October, against the latter, he netted in a 3–1 away victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2002313--iceland-vs-portugal/|title=Portugal revival goes on in Iceland|publisher=UEFA|date=13 October 2010|access-date=9 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015004554/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/matches/season=2012/round=15171/match=2002313/index.html|archive-date=15 October 2010}}</ref> On 17 November, he put two past [[2010 FIFA World Cup|world champions]] [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] in a 4–0 friendly win in Lisbon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/news/detail/item533498/Portugal-4-0-Spain/|title=Portugal 4–0 Spain|publisher=[[Fox Sports (Asian TV network)|ESPN Star Sports]]|date=18 November 2010|access-date=9 June 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731010828/http://www.espnstar.com/football/news/detail/item533498/Portugal-4-0-Spain/|archive-date=31 July 2012}}</ref> 

On 4 June 2011, Postiga scored the only goal in a Euro 2012 qualifier against [[Norway national football team|Norway]] played at [[Estádio da Luz]], which made him the tenth highest scorer in Portugal's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7cedbfaaab-4de71548fe37-1000--postiga-downs-norway-to-lift-portugal/|title=Postiga downs Norway to lift Portugal|publisher=UEFA|last=Brassell|first=Andy|date=4 June 2011|access-date=9 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718175254/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/matches/round=15171/match=2002298/postmatch/report/index.html|archive-date=18 July 2012}}</ref> He added a brace on 15 November that year, in a 6–2 play-off second leg defeat of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]] which secured a place in the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7d25d0e66e-b579c2b34fdf-1000--portugal-overwhelm-ten-man-bosnia-and-herzegovina/|title=Portugal overwhelm ten-man Bosnia and Herzegovina|publisher=UEFA|last=Pimentel|first=José Nuno|date=15 November 2011|access-date=10 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011024322/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/matches/round=2000113/match=2008831/postmatch/report/|archive-date=11 October 2015}}</ref> 

Picked by [[Paulo Bento]] for the finals in [[Poland]] and [[Ukraine]] as first-choice striker, Postiga scored in the group-stage fixture against Denmark, the second in an eventual 3–2 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7dfb35befc-e83da22227ed-1000--varela-revives-portugal-s-as-denmark-come-unstuck-in-euro-20/|title=Varela revives Portugal's as Denmark come unstuck in EURO 2012 Group B|publisher=UEFA|last=Atkin|first=John|date=13 June 2012|access-date=13 June 2012}}</ref> He injured his right [[thigh]] in the first half of the national side's 1–0 quarter-final victory over the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]], being sidelined for the rest of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1112109/helder-postiga-sidelined-injury.html|title=Helder Postiga sidelined by injury|publisher=ESPN FC|date=22 June 2012|access-date=22 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625055133/http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1112109/helder-postiga-sidelined-injury.html|archive-date=25 June 2012}}</ref>

Postiga scored six goals in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualification campaign]] for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]]. On 6 September 2013, he was sent off in the first half of a 3–2 win in [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] for headbutting [[Gareth McAuley]];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/northern-ireland/10292082/Northern-Ireland-2-Portugal-4-match-report.html|title=Northern Ireland 2 Portugal 4: match report|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=Chase|first=Graham|date=6 September 2013|access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> at the finals, he started the second game against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] after an injury to [[Hugo Almeida]] in the opener, but was himself substituted 16 minutes later due to physical problems<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25285256|title=USA 2–2 Portugal|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Oscroft|first=Tim|date=23 June 2014|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> as Portugal were eliminated in the group stage.

==Personal life==
A childhood fan of [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] who went on to play for their [[Big Three (Portugal)|two main rivals]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/seleccao/interior/helder-postiga-infancia-entre-a-lota-e-redes-de-pesca-3967179.html|title=Hélder Postiga: infância entre a lota e redes de pesca|trans-title=Hélder Postiga: childhood between the fish market and fishing nets|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|last=Ruela|first=João|language=pt|date=11 June 2014|access-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926205216/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/seleccao/interior/helder-postiga-infancia-entre-a-lota-e-redes-de-pesca-3967179.html|archive-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> Postiga grew up in the Caxinas fishing neighbourhood of Vila do Conde, as did his long-time international teammates [[Bruno Alves]] and [[Fábio Coentrão]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2017/10/27/coentrao-e-o-regresso-do-menino-querido-das-caxinas-que-seria-pescador-se-nao-fosse-o-futebol/|title=Coentrão e o regresso do menino querido das Caxinas que seria pescador se não fosse o futebol|trans-title=Coentrão and the return of Caxinas' beloved boy who would be a fisherman if it were not for football|newspaper=[[Observador]]|last=Roseiro|first=Bruno|language=pt|date=27 October 2011|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> 

Postiga's younger brother, [[José Postiga|José]], was also a footballer and a forward. He played youth football at Sporting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Sporting/interior_premium.aspx?content_id=830900|title=Segunda vaga Postiga começa a despontar|trans-title=Second wave of Postigas starts to emerge|newspaper=Record|last=Nunes|first=João Vasco|language=pt|date=2 July 2014|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719110953/http://www.record.xl.pt:80/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Sporting/interior_premium.aspx?content_id=830900|archive-date=19 July 2013}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Porto|Porto]]
|[[2001–02 Primeira Liga|2001–02]]<ref name=FJ>{{ForaDeJogo}}</ref>
|rowspan="2"|[[Primeira Liga]]
|27||9||3||3||colspan="2"|—||10{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||40||13
|-
|[[2002–03 Primeira Liga|2002–03]]<ref name=FJ/>
|31||13||3||0||colspan="2"|—||13{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]|name=UC}}||5||colspan="2"|—||47||18
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!58!!22!!6!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!23!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!87!!31
|-
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2003–04 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|26834|2003}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|19||1||2||0||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||24||2
|-
|rowspan="5"|Porto
|[[2004–05 Primeira Liga|2004–05]]<ref name=FJ/>
|rowspan="4"|Primeira Liga
|24||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]]|name=ESC}}||0||23||3
|-
|[[2005–06 Primeira Liga|2005–06]]<ref name=FJ/>
|2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|[[2006–07 Primeira Liga|2006–07]]<ref name=FJ/>
|24||11||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||31||12
|-
|[[2007–08 Primeira Liga|2007–08]]<ref name=FJ/>
|6||1||1||1||0||0||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||11||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!56!!15!!2!!1!!0!!0!!18!!1!!1!!0!!77!!17
|-
|[[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]] (loan)
|[[2005–06 Ligue 1|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/joueur/marques-postiga-helder-manuel|title=Helder Postiga|publisher=[[Ligue 1]]|language=fr|access-date=24 January 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025}}</ref>
|[[Ligue 1]]
|16||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||2
|-
|[[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] (loan)
|[[2007–08 Super League Greece|2007–08]]<ref>Superleague and playoffs: {{cite web|url=http://www.superleaguegreece.net/en/teams/team/panathinaikos-fc-224/2007-2008-superleague-29/players/elnter-postigka-1562|title=Panathinaikos: Helder Postiga|publisher=[[Super League Greece]]|access-date=26 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121136/http://www.superleaguegreece.net/en/teams/team/panathinaikos-fc-224/2007-2008-superleague-29/players/elnter-postigka-1562|archive-date=24 September 2015}} and {{cite web|url=http://www.superleaguegreece.net/en/teams/team/panathinaikos-fc-224/2008-2008-playoffs-30/players/helder-postiga-1562|title=Panathinaikos: Helder Postiga|publisher=Super League Greece|access-date=26 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121144/http://www.superleaguegreece.net/en/teams/team/panathinaikos-fc-224/2008-2008-playoffs-30/players/helder-postiga-1562|archive-date=24 September 2015}}
*Greek Cup: {{cite web|url=http://www.epo.gr/media/files/ARXEIO_KYPELLO/5_fasi_2007-2008.pdf|script-title=el:5η φάση Κυπέλλου Ελλάδας, 2007–2008|trans-title=5th round Greek Cup, 2007–2008|publisher=[[Hellenic Football Federation]]|language=el|access-date=27 January 2015}}
*UEFA Cup: {{Soccerbase season|26834|2007}}</ref>
|[[Super League Greece]]
|11||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=UC}}||0||3{{efn|Appearances in [[2007–08 Super League Greece|Super League Greece playoffs]]}}||0||17||2
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Sporting CP]]
|[[2008–09 Primeira Liga|2008–09]]<ref name=FJ/>
|rowspan="4"|Primeira Liga
|21||5||2||0||3||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira]]|name=PSC}}||0||32||5
|-
|[[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2009–10]]<ref name=FJ/>
|22||1||1||0||2||0||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League|name=UECL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||32||1
|-
|[[2010–11 Primeira Liga|2010–11]]<ref name=FJ/>
|25||6||2||0||3||1||12{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}}||4||colspan="2"|—||42||11
|-
|[[2011–12 Primeira Liga|2011–12]]<ref name=FJ/>
|3||0||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!12!!5!!0!!8!!1!!26!!4!!1!!0!!111!!18
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Real Zaragoza|Zaragoza]] 
|[[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]]<ref name=SW>{{Soccerway|helder-manuel-marques-postiga/383}}</ref>
|rowspan="2"|[[La Liga]]
|33||9||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||9
|-
|[[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]]<ref name=SW/>
|37||14||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||41||14
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!70!!23!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!75!!23
|-
|[[Valencia CF|Valencia]] 
|[[2013–14 La Liga|2013–14]]<ref name=SW/>
|La Liga
|15||3||3||1||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||23||4
|-
|[[SS Lazio|Lazio]] (loan)
|[[2013–14 Serie A|2013–14]]<ref name=SW/>
|[[Serie A]]
|5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
|[[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo]] 
|[[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]]<ref name=SW/>
|La Liga
|14||1||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||2
|-
|[[ATK (football club)|Atlético Kolkata]] 
|[[2015 Indian Super League|2015]]<ref name=SW/>
|[[Indian Super League]]
|1||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||2
|-
|[[Rio Ave F.C.|Rio Ave]] 
|[[2015–16 Primeira Liga|2015–16]]<ref name=SW/>
|[[Primeira Liga]]
|10||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||5
|-
|Atlético Kolkata
|[[2016 Indian Super League|2016]]<ref name=SW/>
|Indian Super League
|11||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!357!!90!!27!!6!!11!!2!!74!!11!!5!!0!!474!!109
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
[[File:GER-POR Euro 2012 (03).jpg|thumb|Postiga taking on [[Germany national football team|Germany]]'s [[Mats Hummels]] at [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]]]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{Eu-Football.info|24751}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[Portugal national football team|Portugal]]
|2003||4||2
|-
|2004||7||4
|-
|2005||10||3
|-
|2006||6||0
|-
|2007||4||1
|-
|2008||3||1
|-
|2009||0||0
|-
|2010||3||3
|-
|2011||9||5
|-
|2012||11||4
|-
|2013||9||4
|-
|2014||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!71!!27
|}

:''Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Postiga goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Hélder Postiga<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fpf.pt/pt/Jogadores/Jogador/playerId/460829/contextId/182|title=Hélder Postiga|publisher=[[Portuguese Football Federation]]|language=pt|access-date=3 September 2017}}</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
{{Ig match
| n =1
| d1=10 June 2003
| st=Estádio Nacional| ci=Oeiras Municipality| co=Portugal
| o=Bolivia
| sc=3–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =2
| d1=10 June 2003
| st=Estádio Nacional| ci=Oeiras Municipality| co=Portugal
| o=Bolivia
| sc=4–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =3
| d1=5 June 2004
| st=Estádio do Bonfim| ci=Setúbal| co=Portugal
| o=Lithuania
| sc=4–1
| fr=4–1
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =4
| d1=24 June 2004
| st=Estádio da Luz| ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=England
| sc=1–1
| fr=2–2
| comp=[[UEFA Euro 2004]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =5
| d1=8 September 2004
| st=Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa| ci=Leiria| co=Portugal
| o=Estonia
| sc=2–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3|2006 World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =6
| d1=8 September 2004
| st=Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa| ci=Leiria| co=Portugal
| o=Estonia
| sc=4–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=2006 World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =7
| d1=26 March 2005
| st=Estádio Cidade de Barcelos| ci=Barcelos Municipality| co=Portugal
| o=Canada
| sc=3–0
| fr=4–1
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =8
| d1=30 March 2005
| st=Tehelné pole|Štadión Tehelné pole| ci=Bratislava| co=Slovakia
| o=Slovakia
| sc=1–1
| fr=1–1
| comp=2006 World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =9
| d1=17 August 2005
| st=Estádio de São Miguel (Ponta Delgada)|Estádio de São Miguel| ci=Ponta Delgada Municipality| co=Portugal
| o=Egypt
| sc=2–0
| fr=2–0
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =10
| d1=2 June 2007
| st=King Baudouin Stadium| ci=Brussels| co=Belgium
| o=Belgium
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–1
| comp=[[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group A|UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =11
| d1=19 June 2008
| st=St. Jakob-Park| ci=Basel| co=Switzerland
| o=Germany
| sc=2–3
| fr=2–3
| comp=[[UEFA Euro 2008]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =12
| d1=12 October 2010
| st=Laugardalsvöllur| ci=Reykjavík| co=Iceland
| o=Iceland
| sc=3–1
| fr=3–1
| comp=[[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group H|UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =13
| d1=17 November 2010
| st=Estádio da Luz| ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Spain
| sc=2–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =14
| d1=17 November 2010
| st=Estádio da Luz| ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Spain
| sc=3–0
| fr=4–0
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =15
| d1=4 June 2011
| st=Estádio da Luz| ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Norway
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–0
| comp=UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying}}
{{Ig match
| n =16
| d1=10 August 2011
| st=Estádio Algarve| ci=São João da Venda| co=Portugal
| o=Luxembourg
| sc=1–0
| fr=5–0
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =17
| d1=7 October 2011
| st=Estádio do Dragão | ci=Porto| co=Portugal
| o=Iceland
| sc=3–0
| fr=5–3
| comp=UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying}}
{{Ig match
| n =18
| d1=15 November 2011
| st=Estádio da Luz | ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Bosnia
| sc=4–2
| fr=6–2
| comp=UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying}}
{{Ig match
| n =19
| d1=15 November 2011
| st=Estádio da Luz | ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Bosnia
| sc=6–2
| fr=6–2
| comp=UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying}}
{{Ig match
| n =20
| d1=13 June 2012
| st=Arena Lviv | ci=Lviv| co=Ukraine
| o=Denmark
| sc=2–0
| fr=3–2
| comp=[[UEFA Euro 2012]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =21
| d1=7 September 2012
| st=Stade Josy Barthel | ci=Luxembourg City| co=Luxembourg
| o=Luxembourg
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–1
| comp=[[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group F|2014 World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =22
| d1=11 September 2012
| st=Estádio Municipal de Braga | ci=Braga| co=Portugal
| o=Azerbaijan
| sc=2–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=[[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group F|2014 World Cup qualification]]}}
{{Ig match
| n =23
| d1=16 October 2012
| st=Estádio do Dragão | ci=Porto| co=Portugal
| o=Northern Ireland
| sc=1–1
| fr=1–1
| comp=2014 World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =24
| d1=6 February 2013
| st=Estádio D. Afonso Henriques | ci=Guimarães| co=Portugal
| o=Ecuador
| sc=2–1
| fr=2–3
| comp=Friendly}}
{{Ig match
| n =25
| d1=22 March 2013
| st=Ramat Gan Stadium | ci=Ramat Gan| co=Israel
| o=Israel
| sc=2–3
| fr=3–3
| comp=2014 World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =26
| d1=7 June 2013
| st=Estádio da Luz | ci=Lisbon| co=Portugal
| o=Russia
| sc=1–0
| fr=1–0
| comp=2014 World Cup qualification}}
{{Ig match
| n =27
| d1=15 October 2013
| st=Estádio Cidade de Coimbra | ci=Coimbra| co=Portugal
| o=Luxembourg
| sc=3–0
| fr=3–0
| comp=2014 World Cup qualification}}
|}

==Honours==
'''Porto'''
*[[Primeira Liga]]: [[2002–03 Primeira Liga|2002–03]], [[2006–07 Primeira Liga|2006–07]]
*[[Taça de Portugal]]: [[2002–03 Taça de Portugal|2002–03]]
*[[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira]]: [[2004 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|2004]]
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[2002–03 UEFA Cup|2002–03]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[2004 Intercontinental Cup|2004]]

'''Sporting CP'''
*Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: [[2008 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|2008]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/sporting/sporting-vence-o-primeiro-trofeu-da-epoca_d258972|title=Sporting vence o primeiro troféu da época|trans-title=Sporting win first trophy of the season|publisher=[[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal]]|language=pt|date=16 August 2008|access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref>

'''Atlético Kolkata'''
*[[Indian Super League]]: [[2016 Indian Super League|2016]]<ref name=ISL/>

'''Portugal'''
*[[UEFA European Championship]] runner-up: [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]<ref name=EURO/>

'''Orders'''
*[[File:PRT Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Vila Vicosa Cavaleiro ribbon.svg|60px]] Medal of Merit, [[Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa]] ([[Duke of Braganza|House of Braganza]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cristianosantosronaldo.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html|title=Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança|trans-title=National team honoured by Duke of Braganza|publisher=Cristiano Ronaldo News|language=pt|date=30 August 2006|access-date=30 August 2006}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Hélder Postiga}}
*{{ForaDeJogo}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{BDFutbol}}
*{{NFT player}}
*{{FIFA player}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Portugal squads
|bg=#900020
|fg=gold
|bordercolor=
|list1=
{{Portugal squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{Portugal squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Portugal squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{Portugal squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{Portugal squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Postiga, Helder}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen]]
[[Category:Portuguese men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Vila do Conde]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda Divisão players]]
[[Category:FC Porto B players]]
[[Category:FC Porto players]]
[[Category:Sporting CP footballers]]
[[Category:Rio Ave F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
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[[Category:Super League Greece players]]
[[Category:Panathinaikos F.C. players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Real Zaragoza players]]
[[Category:Valencia CF players]]
[[Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
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[[Category:Indian Super League players]]
[[Category:Indian Super League marquee players]]
[[Category:ATK (football club) players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Portugal men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:Portugal men's international footballers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2012 players]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Greece]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in India]]