Afonso Sousa
{{short description|Portuguese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Portuguese name|De Pinho|Sousa}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Afonso Sousa
| image = Afonso Sousa Lech Poznań 2022.jpg
| caption = Sousa with Lech Poznań in 2022
| fullname = Afonso Gamelas de Pinho Sousa{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jogador/afonso-sousa/249200|title=Afonso Sousa|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=Portuguese|accessdate=23 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|5|3|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Aveiro, Portugal
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub = Lech Poznań
| clubnumber = 7
| youthyears1 = 2008–2009 | youthclubs1 = Beira-Mar
| youthyears2 = 2009–2010 | youthclubs2 = Porto
| youthyears3 = 2010–2012 | youthclubs3 = Beira-Mar
| youthyears4 = 2012–2013 | youthclubs4 = Gafanha
| youthyears5 = 2013–2019 | youthclubs5 = Porto
| years1 = 2019–2020 | clubs1 = Porto B | caps1 = 21 | goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2020–2022 | clubs2 = B-SAD | caps2 = 62 | goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2022– | clubs3 = Lech Poznań | caps3 = 73 | goals3 = 17
| years4 = 2022 | clubs4 = Lech Poznań II | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U15 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2016 | nationalteam2 = Portugal U16 | nationalcaps2 = 10 | nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2016–2017 | nationalteam3 = Portugal U17 | nationalcaps3 = 15 | nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2018 | nationalteam4 = Portugal U18 | nationalcaps4 = 2 | nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam5 = Portugal U19 | nationalcaps5 = 3 | nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2019 | nationalteam6 = Portugal U20 | nationalcaps6 = 4 | nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 2021–2023 | nationalteam7 = Portugal U21 | nationalcaps7 = 13 | nationalgoals7 = 3
| club-update = 20:19, 26 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Afonso Gamelas de Pinho Sousa (born 3 May 2000) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Ekstraklasa club Lech Poznań as a central midfielder.
Club career
=Porto=
Born in Aveiro, Sousa returned to FC Porto's youth academy at the age of 13, after a first spell in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/porto/noticias/afonso-sousa-despede-se-do-fc-porto-foram-nove-anos-12704843.html|title=Afonso Sousa despede-se do FC Porto: "Foram nove anos..."|trans-title=Afonso Sousa says goodbye to FC Porto: "It was nine years..."|newspaper=O Jogo|language=Portuguese|date=8 September 2020|accessdate=23 September 2020}} He made his senior debut with the reserve team in the LigaPro on 25 August 2019, playing the entire 3–1 away win against S.C. Farense and scoring in the match.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/2a-liga/noticias/fc-porto-b-alcanca-primeira-vitoria-e-na-casa-de-um-candidato-11237539.html|title=FC Porto B alcança primeira vitória e na casa de um candidato|trans-title=FC Porto B get first win and away to a candidate|newspaper=O Jogo|language=Portuguese|date=25 August 2019|accessdate=23 September 2020}}
Sousa was part of the squad that won the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League, notably netting in the 3–1 victory over Chelsea in the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/interior/fc-porto-e-campeao-europeu-sub-19-10845534.html|title=FC Porto é campeão Europeu Sub-19|trans-title=FC Porto are Under-19 European champions|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|first=Isaura|last=Almeida|language=Portuguese|date=29 April 2019|accessdate=23 September 2020}}
=B-SAD=
On 9 September 2020, Sousa signed a four-year contract with Primeira Liga club B-SAD, with Porto retaining 50% of the player's rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/porto/noticias/afonso-sousa-deixa-o-fc-porto-que-mantem-50-por-cento-do-passe-12701920.html|title=Afonso Sousa deixa o FC Porto, que mantém 50 por cento do passe|trans-title=Afonso Sousa leaves FC Porto, who keep 50 per cent of his rights|newspaper=O Jogo|first1=André|last1=Morais|first2=Miguel|last2=Gouveia Pereira|language=Portuguese|date=8 September 2020|accessdate=23 September 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/belenenses/noticias/oficial-belenenses-sad-anuncia-afonso-sousa-12708263.html|title=Oficial: Belenenses SAD anuncia Afonso Sousa|trans-title=Official: Belenenses SAD announce Afonso Sousa|newspaper=O Jogo|language=Portuguese|date=9 September 2020|accessdate=23 September 2020}} He played his first game in the competition nine days later, coming on as a 67th-minute substitute for Silvestre Varela in the 1–0 away defeat of Vitória de Guimarães.{{cite web|url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/derrota-no-arranque-da-liga/|title=Derrota no arranque da Liga|trans-title=Loss to kickstart League|publisher=Mais Guimarães|language=Portuguese|date=18 September 2020|accessdate=23 September 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abola.pt/mundos/2020-09-20/belenenses-sad-o-afonso-sentiu-que-no-fc-porto-nao-seria-aposta/861093|title="O Afonso sentiu que no FC Porto não seria aposta"|trans-title="Afonso felt people would not bet on him at FC Porto"|newspaper=A Bola|language=Portuguese|date=20 September 2020|accessdate=23 September 2020}} He scored his first goal on 6 December, just before half-time in a 2–1 home win over S.C. Braga.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/belenenses-sad-vence-sc-braga-e-tira-minhotos-do-podio-13113267.html|title=Belenenses SAD vence SC Braga e tira minhotos do pódio|trans-title=Belenenses SAD beat SC Braga and knock Minho team off podium|publisher=TSF|language=Portuguese|date=6 December 2020|accessdate=15 January 2022}}
=Lech Poznań=
On 30 June 2022, Sousa moved to defending Polish Ekstraklasa champions Lech Poznań on a four-year deal, for a fee reported around €1,200,000.{{cite web|url=https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/pilka-nozna/1008071/ile-lech-zaplacil-za-afonso-souse-znamy-ostateczna-cene-za-portugalczyka|title=Ile Lech zapłacił za Afonso Sousę? Znamy ostateczną cenę za Portugalczyka!|trans-title=How much did Lech pay for Afonso Sousa? We know the Portuguese's final price!|publisher=Sportowe Fakty|first=Piotr|last=Koźmiński|language=Polish|date=29 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lechpoznan.pl/aktualnosci,2,afonso-sousa-pilkarzem-lecha,39849.html|title=Afonso Sousa piłkarzem Lecha|trans-title=Afonso Sousa a Lech player|publisher=Lech Poznań|language=Polish|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}} He made his competitive debut on 9 July, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 Polish Super Cup loss to Raków Częstochowa.{{cite web|url=https://www.lechpoznan.pl/aktualnosci,2,tsitaishvili-i-sousa-z-debiutami,39913.html|title=Tsitaishvili i Sousa z debiutami|trans-title=Debuts for Tsitaishvili and Sousa|publisher=Lech Poznań|language=Polish|date=9 July 2022|accessdate=16 July 2022}}
In the 2024–25 season, Sousa earned himself a regular spot in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://sport.tvp.pl/86340165/lech-poznan-ma-w-swoim-skladzie-wielka-gwiazde-afonso-sousa-znow-blyszczy-w-ekstraklasie|title=Afonso Sousa znów jest w wielkiej formie. Bez niego Lecha mogłoby nie być na podium|trans-title=Afonso Sousa in great form again. Without him, maybe Lech would not be in the podium|publisher=TVP Sport|first=Radosław|last=Laudański|language=Polish|date=24 April 2025|accessdate=26 May 2025}} On 24 May 2025, he scored Lech's sole goal against Piast Gliwice, a header in the 39th minute, to clinch their ninth league title.{{cite web|url=https://sport.tvp.pl/86888356/lech-poznan-mistrzem-polski-piast-gliwice-pokonany-trofeum-za-zwyciestwo-w-pko-bp-ekstraklasie-wraca-do-poznania|title=Lech Poznań mistrzem Polski! Piast Gliwice pokonany, trofeum za zwycięstwo w PKO BP Ekstraklasie wraca do Poznania|trans-title=Lech Poznań are Polish champions! Piast Gliwice beaten, the PKO BP Ekstraklasa trophy returns to Poznań|publisher=TVP Sport|first=Jan|last=Pęczak|language=Polish|date=24 May 2025|accessdate=26 May 2025}} With a further 12 with six assists, he was named the Ekstraklasa Midfielder of the Season.{{cite web|url=https://gol24.pl/afonso-sousa-wybrany-pomocnikiem-sezonu-20242025-w-pko-ekstraklasie/ar/c2-19102448#:~:text=w%20poprzednich%20latach-,Afonso%20Sousa%20wybrany%20Pomocnikiem%20Sezonu%202024%2F2025%20na%20Gali%20Ekstraklasy,mistrzowski%20dla%20Koejorza%20był%20niewymierny.|title=Afonso Sousa wybrany Pomocnikiem Sezonu 2024/2025 w PKO Ekstraklasie|trans-title=Afonso Sousa voted PKO Ekstraklasa Midfielder of the 2024/2025 Season|publisher=Gol 24|first=Bartosz|last=Głąb|language=Polish|date=26 May 2025|accessdate=26 May 2025}}
International career
Sousa earned 42 caps for Portugal across all youth levels, starting with the under-15 team in 2015. His first appearance for the under-21s came on 7 October 2021 in an 11–0 home rout of Liechtenstein in 2023 UEFA European Championship qualification.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaldevizela.com/2021/10/portugal-lichtenstein.html|title=Portugal–Liechstenstein, 11–0 Alguém vai esquecer Vizela?|trans-title=Portugal–Liechstenstein, 11–0 Is anyone going to forget Vizela?|publisher=Digital de Vizela|language=Portuguese|date=7 October 2021|accessdate=15 January 2022}} He scored his first goal the following 24 September, closing the 4–1 friendly win over Georgia.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/selecoes/sub21/detalhe/portugal-georgia-em-direto?ref=Futebol_DestaquesPrincipais|title=Portugal goleia Geórgia por 4–1 num encontro particular|trans-title=Portugal rout Georgia 4–1 in friendly match|newspaper=Record|language=Portuguese|date=24 September 2022|accessdate=25 September 2022}}
Personal life
Both Sousa's father, Ricardo, and grandfather António, played as midfielders and later worked as managers.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/entrevista/fc-porto/afonso-sousa-filho-e-neto-que-ja-joga-em-nome-proprio-aos-15-anos|title=Afonso Sousa: filho e neto que já joga em nome próprio aos 15 anos|trans-title=Afonso Sousa: son and grandson already plays for himself at 15|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Pedro|last=Calhau|language=Portuguese|date=2 October 2015|accessdate=23 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-internacional/antonio-sousa-anteve-futuro-brilhante-ao-neto-afonso_d1144500|title=António Sousa antevê futuro brilhante ao neto Afonso|trans-title=António Sousa foresees bright future for grandson Afonso|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|first=Mário|last=Aleixo|language=Portuguese|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=23 September 2020}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2 | Club
! rowspan=2 | Season ! colspan=3 | League ! colspan=2 | National cup{{Efn|Includes Taça de Portugal and Polish Cup}} ! colspan=2 | League cup{{Efn|Includes Taça da Liga}} ! colspan=2 | Continental ! colspan=2 | Other ! colspan=2 | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Porto B
|2019–20{{Soccerway|afonso-gamelas-de-pinho-sousa/460579}} |21 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 6 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|B-SAD
|32 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22
|Primeira Liga |30 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!62 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 69 | 5 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Lech Poznań
|24 | 4 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League|name=UECL}} | 2 | 1{{Efn|Appearance in Polish Super Cup|name=PSC}} | 0 | 34 | 7 | ||
| 2023–24
|Ekstraklasa |18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{Efn | name=UECL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25
|Ekstraklasa |31 | 13 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 13 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!73 | 17 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 20 | ||
| Lech Poznań II
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!157 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 180 | 31 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Porto
Lech Poznań
- Ekstraklasa: 2024–25{{cite web|url=https://sport.tvp.pl/86888493/lech-poznan-dziewiaty-raz-w-swojej-historii-zostal-mistrzem-polski-oto-triumfatorzy|title=Oto mistrzowie Polski! Dzięki tym piłkarzom Lech zdobył dziewiąty tytuł w historii|trans-title=Meet the Polish champions! Thanks to these players Lech conquered the ninth title in their history|publisher=TVP Sport|first=Radosław|last=Laudański|language=Polish|date=24 May 2025|accessdate=26 May 2025}}
Individual
- Ekstraklasa Midfielder of the Season: 2024–25{{cite web|url=https://www.ekstraklasa.org/aktualnosci/20024/trzy-statuetki-dla-lecha-poznan-wybrano-najlepszych-w-sezonie-2024-25|title=Trzy statuetki dla Lecha Poznań. Wybrano najlepszych w sezonie 2024/25|trans-title=Three statuettes for Lech Poznań. Best of the 2024/25 season were chosen|publisher=Ekstraklasa|language=Polish|date=26 May 2025|accessdate=26 May 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{ForaDeJogo|200005030001}}
- {{FPF national player|701482}}
{{Lech Poznań squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sousa, Afonso}}
Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
Category:Portuguese men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Aveiro, Portugal
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Liga Portugal 2 players
Category:Lech Poznań II players
Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers
Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers