Souza (footballer, born 2006)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is de Souza and the second or paternal family name is Menezes.
Souza
Personal information
Full name João Victor de Souza Menezes
Date of birth (2006-06-16) 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)

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.

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 15 March, against Liverpool.

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,[13] and he was included in the 23-man squad on 8 March 2023.[14] A regular starter as the nation lifted the trophy, he was also called up to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup,[15] 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.[16]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 March 2026[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[a] National cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division 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 42 1

Honours

Santos

Brazil U17

References

  1. ^ Tottenham Hotspur (22 January 2026). "João Victor de Souza Meneses". Instagram.
  2. ^ "Lateral Souza e atacante João Victor são observados por Carille após Copinha" [Full-back Souza and forward João Victor are watched by Carille after the Copinha] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Santos assina primeiro contrato profissional com lateral esquerdo do time sub-17" [Santos sign first professional contract with left-back from the under-17 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Santos inscreve lateral-esquerdo Souza no Campeonato Paulista" [Santos register left-back Souza in the Campeonato Paulista] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Santos sofre gol no fim e empata com o Mirassol fora de casa" [Santos suffer goal in the end and draw with Mirassol away from home] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Na estreia no profissional, lateral de 17 anos do Santos sofre lesão muscular na coxa" [On his professional debut, Santos' 17-year-old full-back suffers muscular injury in his thigh] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Santos FC renova o contrato do lateral Souza" [Santos FC renew the contract of full-back Souza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Lateral Souza irá passar por cirurgia no tornozelo e desfalca o Santos" [Full-back Souza will undergo surgery on his ankle and is an absence for Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 2 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Souza signs from Santos". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Tottenham complete transfer of Santos defender Souza". ESPN. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  11. ^ "A caminho do Tottenham, Souza se despede do Santos: "Saio de cabeça erguida"" [Moving to Tottenham, Souza bids farewell from Santos: "I leave with my head held high"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 17 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  12. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c0jv0846ev3t
  13. ^ "Três atletas do Santos FC são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira sub-17" [Three Santos FC athletes are called up to the Brazil national under-17 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para o Sul-Americano sub-17" [Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the South American U-17 Championship] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Lateral do Santos é convocado para a Copa do Mundo Sub-17" [Santos full-back is called up to the U-17 World Cup] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Jair, Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20" [Jair, Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the Brazil national under-20 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  17. ^ Souza at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
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