Souza profile catching FC Porto's eye: from futsal to Premier League | OneFootball

João Victor de Souza Menezes, known in football as Souza, is one of the players referenced by FC Porto. The full-back has characteristics that help explain the interest from the Dragons, namely his technical quality and room for development. Initially trained in futsal, he stood out at Santos, represented Tottenham, and was part of Brazil’s squad at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup.

As A BOLA explained, there are still no formal negotiations between FC Porto’s and Tottenham’s SADs. So far, contacts have only taken place informally, through the player’s agent. Porto’s strategy is expected to involve waiting for the transfer window to close before moving for targets already identified by the club’s structure and approved by Farioli. In Souza’s case, a loan with bonuses could be considered, opening the possibility for the Portuguese club to secure the player later if he confirms his value. A transfer for around €20 million, the figure mentioned by the Brazilian press, is completely ruled out.

Born in Mauá, in the state of São Paulo, Souza turned 20 in June. He started out playing futsal at Juventus-SP before moving to eleven-a-side football and joining Santos’s academy. The influence of futsal remains clear in the way he plays: he makes decisions quickly, feels comfortable in tight spaces, and shows confidence when the ball is at his feet. These are attributes often associated with full-backs and wingers developed in Brazil.

His rise at Santos was particularly swift. By 2023, he had already established himself as one of the standout players in the club’s youth teams, even wearing the under-17 captain’s armband. The role reflected his leadership and the competitive status he had achieved at a club renowned for its youth development. His first-team debut came in 2025, when he was introduced in the second half of the match against Mirassol, which ended in a 2-2 draw in the Campeonato Paulista. From that point on, he was no longer just a prospect and began attracting interest on the international market.

His presence at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup also helped raise his profile. Souza was part of a Brazil side that included, among others, Estêvão, Vítor Reis, Lorran, Rayan, and Kauã Elias, players who would later go on to stand out. Brazil were eventually eliminated by Argentina in the quarter-finals. Germany won the trophy, beating France on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time.

It was after gaining value and securing an established place in Santos’s first team that Souza caught Tottenham’s attention. In 2025, he made 29 appearances, scored one goal, and provided two assists. The London club completed his signing in January 2026 for approximately €15 million, after Santos had rejected an initial offer. The defender then signed a contract valid until 2031.

His spell in London, however, fell short of expectations. The demands of the Premier League, both physically and tactically, made adaptation more complicated. Competition at left-back, combined with his youth, reduced the space available to him in Tottenham’s first team. In total, he featured in just four matches, starting two and coming off the bench in the others.

Even without having managed to establish himself in England, Souza continues to attract interest. His profile as a modern full-back, his technical ability, and his path through the youth national teams make him an option FC Porto are monitoring closely.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.