Nuno Santos (footballer, born 1999)
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nuno Miguel Valente Santos[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 2 March 1999[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Porto, Portugal[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Boavista | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2010 | Porto | ||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | Boavista | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2017 | Benfica | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | → Belenenses (loan) | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2022 | Benfica B | 60 | (13) | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | → Moreirense (loan) | 14 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | → Boavista (loan) | 29 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | → Paços Ferreira (loan) | 31 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Charlotte FC | 9 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Crown Legacy | 1 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2023–2025 | Vitória Guimarães | 65 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Mamelodi Sundowns | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Portugal U16 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Portugal U17 | 13 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Portugal U18 | 5 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Portugal U19 | 11 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Portugal U20 | 10 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Portugal U21 | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:57, 16 October 2025 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||
Nuno Miguel Valente Santos (born 2 March 1999) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South African Premiership club Mamelodi Sundowns.
Club career
Benfica
Born in Porto, Santos was a youth player at his city's two major teams, Boavista F.C. and FC Porto, before joining S.L. Benfica in 2012.[3] He made his debut for the reserve team in LigaPro on 8 August 2017 as the season opened with a 2–1 away loss against U.D. Oliveirense,[4] and scored his first goal the following 6 January at the end of a 3–1 defeat at FC Porto B.[5] In 2018–19 he scored a career-best seven goals (adding five in seven matches in the UEFA Youth League), subsequently renewing his contract until 2024.[6]
By then captain of Benfica B, Santos was loaned to Primeira Liga club Moreirense F.C. on 29 January 2020.[7] He made his top-flight debut four days later by starting in a 5–1 away victory over Gil Vicente FC.[8] His first goal at the level came on 11 July to win the game at B-SAD.[9]
Santos continued to be loaned the following two seasons, to Boavista[10] and F.C. Paços de Ferreira.[11] On 19 November 2021, while in service of the latter side, he put his team ahead against his parent club in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal, but in a 4–1 loss.[12][13]
Charlotte FC
On 5 August 2022, Santos signed a two-year deal with Charlotte FC.[14] He scored his only Major League Soccer goal on 17 September in the 3–2 away defeat of Chicago Fire FC,[15] and also spent time with the reserve team Crown Legacy FC.[16]
Vitória Guimarães
Santos returned to Portugal in July 2023, joining top-flight Vitória S.C. on a four-year contract.[17][18] On 27 October 2024, his 43rd-minute first-time shot from near the penalty arc helped his side to earn a 2–2 draw at C.F. Estrela da Amadora, and was later voted Goal of the Month for September/October.[19][20]
During his tenure at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Santos totalled 90 games, eight goals and 14 assists.[21]
Mamelodi Sundowns
On 23 September 2025, Santos moved to Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. of the South African Premiership.[22]
International career
Santos was part of Hélio Sousa's Portugal under-19 team that won the 2018 UEFA European Championship in Finland. He made three substitute appearances in the tournament, including one in extra time of the final.[23]
On 5 September 2019, Santos earned his first cap for the under-21s, in a 4–0 home defeat of Gibraltar in the 2021 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.[24]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 3 December 2025[25]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Benfica B | 2014–15 | Segunda Liga | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17 | LigaPro | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2017–18 | LigaPro | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 | |||||
| 2018–19 | LigaPro | 29 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 7 | |||||
| 2019–20 | LigaPro | 16 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 3 | |||||
| 2020–21 | Liga Portugal 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2021–22 | Liga Portugal 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 61 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 61 | 13 | ||||||
| Académica (loan) | 2016–17 | LigaPro | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Moreirense (loan) | 2019–20 | Primeira Liga | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||
| Boavista (loan) | 2020–21 | Primeira Liga | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 1 | ||
| Paços de Ferreira (loan) | 2021–22 | Primeira Liga | 31 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | — | 38 | 5 | |
| Charlotte FC | 2022 | MLS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | |||
| 2023 | MLS | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Total | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |||
| Crown Legacy | 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Vitória Guimarães | 2023–24 | Primeira Liga | 27 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25 | Primeira Liga | 33 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14[c] | 2 | — | 51 | 5 | ||
| 2025–26 | Primeira Liga | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| Total | 65 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 2 | — | 90 | 7 | |||
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 2025–26 | South African Premiership | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[d] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| Career total | 220 | 27 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 257 | 32 | ||
- ^ Includes Taça de Portugal, U.S. Open Cup and Nedbank Cup
- ^ Includes Taça da Liga and Carling Knockout Cup
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearance(s) in CAF Champions League
Honours
Benfica
- Campeonato Nacional de Juniores: 2017–18[26]
- UEFA Youth League runner-up: 2016–17[27]
Portugal
References
- ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 13 June 2019. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ a b c "Nuno Santos" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Resendes, Manuel (18 August 2020). "Mercado: Boavista garante médio ofensivo Nuno Santos ao Benfica" [Transfer market: Boavista confirm attacking midfielder Nuno Santos from Benfica] (in Portuguese). Futebol 365. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Oliveirense-Benfica B, 2–1: Penálti tardio dá triunfo" [Oliveirense-Benfica B, 2–1: Late penalty gives win]. Record (in Portuguese). 8 August 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "FC Porto B confirma liderança com vitória frente ao Benfica B" [FC Porto B confirm lead with victory against Benfica B]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 6 January 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Benfica renova com Nuno Santos até 2024" [Benfica renew with Nuno Santos until 2024] (in Portuguese). TSF. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Silva, Flávio Miguel (29 January 2020). "Benfica empresta Nuno Santos no Moreirense" [Benfica loan Nuno Santos to Moreirense]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Gil Vicente FC em "dia não" é goleado por Moreirense FC" [Gil Vicente FC on "off day" are thrashed by Moreirense FC] (in Portuguese). Barcelos na Hora. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ Amaro, Miguel (11 July 2020). "A crónica do Belenenses SAD-Moreirense, 0–1: só um Nuno acerta num jogo de erros" [Report on Belenenses SAD-Moreirene, 0–1: only Nuno on target in game of errors]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Oficial: Benfica empresta Nuno Santos ao Boavista" [Official: Benfica loan Nuno Santos to Boavista] (in Portuguese). Notícias ao Minuto. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Nuno Santos vai defender o amarelo" [Nuno Santos will defend yellows] (in Portuguese). F.C. Paços Ferreira. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ "VÍDEO: Nuno Santos deu vantagem ao Paços na Luz e pediu desculpa" [VIDEO: Nuno Santos put Paços in front at the Luz and apologised] (in Portuguese). CNN Portugal. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Marques, Pedro Miguel (19 November 2021). "Benfica 4–1 Paços de Ferreira: Águia apanha susto mas acaba a golear e segue em frente na Taça" [Benfica 4–1 Paços de Ferreira: Eagle got scare but end up thrashing and go through in Cup] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Charlotte FC acquires Portuguese attacking midfielder Nuno Santos from SL Benfica". Charlotte FC. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Karol Swiderski helps Charlotte FC come back to beat Fire". Sportsnaut. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Charlotte FC loans Nuno Santos to Crown Legacy FC". Charlotte FC. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Charlotte FC midfielder Nuno Santos joins Vitória S.C." Charlotte FC. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "OFICIAL: Nuno Santos regressa a Portugal e assina pelo Vitória" [OFFICIAL: Nuno Santos returns to Portugal and signs for Vitória] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Remate de primeira de Nuno Santos eleito Golo do Mês da Liga Portugal Betclic" [Nuno Santos first-time shot voted Goal of the Month in Liga Portugal Betclic] (in Portuguese). Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Nuno Santos recebe prémio Golo do Mês: «Foi só uma questão de olhar bem para a trajetória da bola»" [Nuno Santos gets the Goal of the Month award: "It was only a matter of looking to where the ball was going"]. Record (in Portuguese). 19 November 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Nuno Santos deixa Vitória de Guimarães e reforça Mamelodi Sundowns" [Nuno Santos leaves Vitória de Guimarães and bolsters Mamelodi Sundowns] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ Gleeson, Nic (23 September 2025). "Sundowns sign former Portuguese youth international". African Football. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ a b Esteves, Adérito (30 July 2018). "Conheça os 20 (mais um) campeões europeus de sub-19" [Meet the 20 (plus one) under-19 European champions] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ Amaro, Miguel (5 September 2019). "Portugal arranca qualificação com goleada" [Portugal start qualification with rout]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Nuno Santos at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "Benfica campeão nacional de juniores pela 24.ª vez" [Benfica national champions in juniors for the 24th time]. Público (in Portuguese). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Benfica cai perante reviravolta do Salzburgo" [Benfica fall as Salzburg come from behind] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
External links
- Nuno Santos at ForaDeJogo (archived)
- Nuno Santos national team profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese)
- Nuno Santos at Soccerway