Paulo Sousa

Portugal · Defensive midfielder (Central midfielder) · Gen 2 · Zidane & Ronaldinho · Peak 1993-1997

Tidy deep-lying regista who won back-to-back Champions Leagues with two clubs

76.1OVR#568 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

Category averages

  • Speed62.2
  • Shooting64.4
  • Passing82.9
  • Ball Control79.0
  • Movement68.0
  • Football IQ89.5
  • Defending Skill75.7
  • Physical70.0
  • Mental85.0
  • Career58.6

Top 10 attributes

  1. Long Passing92
  2. Game Management92
  3. Short Passing90
  4. Decision Making90
  5. Spatial Awareness90
  6. Through Balls88
  7. Vision88
  8. Press Resistance88
  9. Tactical Discipline88
  10. Possession86

All 64 attributes

Speed 62.2

  • Top Speed63
  • Acceleration63
  • Dribbling Speed65
  • Top Speed with Ball61
  • Knock-on & Run51
  • Change of Pace70

Shooting 64.4

  • Finishing64
  • Shot Power76
  • Long Shots78
  • Volleys64
  • Curve72
  • Penalties68
  • Heading62
  • Direct Free Kicks66
  • Shooting Creativity48
  • Acrobatics46

Passing 82.9

  • Short Passing90
  • Long Passing92
  • Through Balls88
  • Crossing70
  • Link-up Play84
  • Vision88
  • Set-Piece Delivery68

Ball Control 79.0

  • Dribbling78
  • Possession86
  • First Touch86
  • Skills & Tricks66
  • Weak Foot70
  • Press Resistance88

Movement 68.0

  • Off-the-Ball Movement66
  • Runs in Behind56
  • Attacking Positioning66
  • Anticipation86
  • Recovery Runs66

Football IQ 89.5

  • Decision Making90
  • Spatial Awareness90
  • Game Management92
  • Tactical Creativity86

Defending Skill 75.7

  • Defensive Positioning86
  • Marking72
  • Interceptions82
  • Standing Tackle78
  • Sliding Tackle70
  • Offside Trap66

Physical 70.0

  • Strength70
  • Stamina71
  • Agility73
  • Balance76
  • Recovery72
  • Reactions72
  • Hold-up Play60
  • Aerial Duels60
  • Aggression76

Mental 85.0

  • Big-Game Temperament86
  • Leadership80
  • Selflessness86
  • Concentration86
  • Determination84
  • Tactical Discipline88

Career 58.6

  • Consistency74
  • Longevity70
  • Achievements69
  • Durability50
  • Loyalty30

Profile

Born
30 August 1970
Foot
Right
Career
1989–2002
Prime
1993-1997

Club career

  • 1989–1993 Benfica
  • 1993–1994 Sporting CP
  • 1994–1996 Juventus
  • 1996–1998 Borussia Dortmund
  • 1998–2000 Inter Milan
  • 2000–2000 Parma (loan)
  • 2000–2001 Panathinaikos (loan)
  • 2001–2002 Espanyol

Honours

European Cup / Champions League 2

1996 Juventus · 1997 Borussia Dortmund

League title · Primeira Liga Benfica 1

1990–91

League title · Serie A Juventus 1

1994–95

Intercontinental Cup 1

1997

Coppa Italia 1

1994–95

Taça de Portugal 1

1992–93

Supercoppa Italiana 1

1995

DFL-Supercup 1

1996

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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