Souza (footballer, born 2006)
Brazilian footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
João Victor de Souza Menezes (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒuˈɐ̃w viˈkoʁ dʒi ˈso(w)za meˈnezis];[1] born 16 June 2006), commonly known as Souza, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | João Victor de Souza Menezes | ||
| Date of birth | 16 June 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Mauá, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| Number | 38 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Juventus-SP (futsal) | |||
| 2016–2024 | Santos | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024–2026 | Santos | 37 | (1) |
| 2026– | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2023 | Brazil U17 | 12 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:20, 15 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Santos
Born in Mauá, São Paulo, Souza joined Santos' youth setup in 2016, aged nine, after playing for the futsal team of Juventus-SP.[2] On 12 July 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club, after agreeing to a three-year deal.[3]
On 6 February 2024, Souza was registered in the first team squad for the 2024 Campeonato Paulista, after Kevyson's injury.[4] He made his first team debut five days later, coming on as a second-half substitute for goalscorer Hayner in a 2–2 away draw against Mirassol.[5][6]
Mainly a backup to Gonzalo Escobar, Souza played in eight Série B matches as the club achieved promotion back to the top tier as champions. On 28 November 2024, he renewed his contract until 2028.[7]
In January 2025, Souza suffered an ankle injury, being sidelined for three months.[8] Still a second-choice behind Escobar, he scored his first professional goal on 26 October, netting his side's first in a 2–2 away draw against Botafogo.
Tottenham Hotspur
On 22 January 2026, Souza joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on a long-term contract for a rumoured fee of £13 million.[9][10][11] Souza made his debut for Spurs on 7 February 2026, coming on as a substitute in the 2–0 away loss to Manchester United.[12] He made his first start for the club on 5 March, against Crystal Palace.[13][14]
International career
In September 2022, Souza was called up to the Brazil national under-17 team for a training period aiming at the 2023 South American U-17 Championship,[15] and he was included in the 23-man squad on 8 March 2023.[16] A regular starter as the nation lifted the trophy, he was also called up to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup,[17] playing in four of Brazil's five matches in the competition.
On 17 May 2024, Souza and Santos teammates JP Chermont and Jair were called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of training.[18]
Career statistics
- As of match played 15 March 2026[19]
| Club | Season | League | State league[a] | National cup[b] | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Santos | 2024 | Série B | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 2025 | Série A | 24 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 29 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 38 | 1 | |||||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2025–26 | Premier League | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 36 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | ||
- Includes Campeonato Paulista
- Includes Copa do Brasil