João Moreira (footballer, born 2004)

João Moreira

Personal information
Full name	João Moreira Sanmartin Souza
Date of birth	(2004-05-21) 21 May 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	São Paulo, Brazil
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Right-back
Team information
Current team	Porto (on loan from São Paulo)
Youth career
2017–2024	São Paulo
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	São Paulo	19	(0)
2025–	→ Porto (loan)
International career
2021–2022	Portugal U18[1]	8	(0)
2022	Brazil U20	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 January 2025

João Moreira Sanmartin Souza (born 25 May 2004), known as João Moreira or simply Moreira, is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Porto, on loan from São Paulo.[2][3] Born in Brazil, he has represented both his country of birth and Portugal at youth level.

International career

Grandson of Portuguese parents, João Moreira played in 2021 for the Portugal under-18 team.[1] In August 2022, he was called up to the Brazil under-20 team,[4] but was seriously injured during a training session, which kept him out of action for 9 months.[5] In 2023, he was called up by the Brazil under-23 team to compete in the Pan American Games, but ended up injured again and replaced by Miranda on the final list.[6]

Club career

Moreira made his professional debut for São Paulo FC against EC Água Santa, on 28 February 2022. He scored his first goal playing in the 2022 Copa Sudamericana, against Universidad Católica, on 7 July.[7] He was also highlighted for his performance in the 2024 Supercopa do Brasil, where Moreira replaced an injured Rafinha.[8]

On 29 January 2025, Moreira agreed a loan with FC Porto for one season, and an option to purchase for €3.5 million.[9]

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 July 2022

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
São Paulo	2022	Série A	0	0	3	0	1	0	2[a]	1	0	0	6	1
Career total			0	0	3	0	1	0	2	1	0	0	6	1

Notes

1. Appearances in the Copa Sudamericana

Honours

São Paulo

• Copa do Brasil: 2023
• Supercopa do Brasil: 2024

São Paulo U17

• Copa do Brasil Sub-17: 2020
• Supercopa do Brasil Sub-17: 2020

Portugal U18

• Torneio Internacional do Porto: 2022[10]

References

1. São Paulo FC (25 August 2021). "Moreira é convocado para a seleção portuguesa Sub-18" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
2. "Saiba quem é João Moreira, joia de Portugal e que estreia pelo São Paulo hoje (28)" (in Portuguese). jc.ne10.uol.com.br. 28 February 2022.
3. "João Moreira - Portugal - 17 anos - Defensor". oGol. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
4. "Conheça João Moreira: luso-brasileiro que irá defender o Brasil no torneio quadrangular Sub-20". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 15 August 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
5. "Moreira sofre lesão no joelho e será submetido a cirurgia". São Paulo FC (in Portuguese). 30 October 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
6. "Moreira, do São Paulo, tem lesão na coxa direita e é cortado do Pan pela seleção brasileira". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 17 October 2023.
7. "Aos 18 anos, Rodriguinho e Moreira marcam pela primeira vez pelo São Paulo em Morumbi lotado". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 8 July 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
8. "Destaque no título do São Paulo, Moreira se divide por Brasil e Portugal". Placar (in Portuguese). 5 February 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
9. "São Paulo acerta empréstimo, e Moreira viaja para fechar com o Porto". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 28 January 2024.
10. "Sub-18: Portugal vence Torneio Internacional do Porto". Mais Futebol (in Portuguese). 27 March 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.

External links

• João Moreira at Soccerway