Nuno Tavares

Born in Lisbon of Cape Verdean descent, Tavares finished his development with Benfica after three years at city rivals Sporting CP and two stints with Casa Pia.{{cite web|url=https://dtudo1pouco.com/benfica-de-luis-lopes-e-campeao-nacional-de-juniores/|title=Benfica de Luis Lopes é campeão nacional de juniores|trans-title=Luis Lopes' Benfica are junior national champions|publisher=DTudo1Pouco|first=Bruno|last=Da Moura|language=pt|date=19 May 2018|access-date=26 December 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/benfica-cinco-jogadores-da-formacao-na-pre-epoca-11052044.html|title=Benfica confirma cinco jogadores da formação na pré-época|trans-title=Benfica confirm five youth players in preseason|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|language=pt|date=27 June 2019|access-date=29 December 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2019/08/04/nuno-tavares-da-antecamara-encarnada-a-asa-esquerda-da-equipa-principal-e-agora-a-direita/|title=Nuno Tavares: outro menino de Lage que a mãe tirou de Alcochete|trans-title=Nuno Tavares: another Lage kid that his mother took from Alcochete|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=4 August 2019|access-date=29 December 2021}} His manager at Casa Pia, João Silva, drove him home from training every day while also allowing his studies to take priority.{{cite web|url=https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/nuno-tavares-ascent-to-arsenal/|title=Nuno Tavares' ascent to Arsenal|publisher=Breaking The Lines|first=Zach|last=Lowy|date=2 July 2021|access-date=18 October 2022}}

Tavares made his senior debut with Benfica's reserves in the LigaPro, his first match being a 3–2 home win against Covilhã on 27 October 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/2a-liga/noticias/benfica-b-vence-covilha-e-dorme-na-lideranca-10096473.html|title=Benfica B vence Covilhã e dorme na liderança|trans-title=Benfica B beat Covilhã and sleep in first place|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=27 October 2018|access-date=29 December 2021}} He played his first official game with the first team on 4 August 2019, featuring 90 minutes in the 5–0 victory over Sporting in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira at the Estádio Algarve.{{cite web|url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/1230-benfica-stick-five-past-sporting-in-season-curtain-raiser|title=Benfica stick five past Sporting in season curtain-raiser|publisher=PortuGOAL|first=Patrick|last=Ribeiro|date=4 August 2019|access-date=11 August 2019}} His Primeira Liga bow took place the following week, opening an eventual 5–0 home defeat of Paços de Ferreira and adding two assists.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/benfica/noticias/interior/golo-do-nuno-tavares-ninguem-estava-a-espera-que-ele-aparecesse-ali-nem-eu-11199487.html|title="Golo do Nuno Tavares? Ninguém estava à espera que ele aparecesse ali, nem eu..."|trans-title="Nuno Tavares' goal? Nobody expected he would appear there, not even me..."|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=11 August 2019|access-date=11 August 2019}} However, his weaknesses were exposed two weeks later in a 2–0 loss to Porto in O Clássico, which led him to return to the B side and lose his place to Tomás Tavares, being limited to occasional domestic cup matches in place of Alejandro Grimaldo.

Following a difficult season, and a video posted on the Instagram account of a friend of Tavares where Grimaldo was referred to in derogatory terms, Benfica decided to sell the player in spite of his public apologies. During his spell at the club, he made 41 competitive appearances.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2021/07/10/desporto/noticia/benfica-confirma-transferencia-nuno-tavares-arsenal-1969882|title=Benfica confirma transferência de Nuno Tavares para o Arsenal|trans-title=Benfica confirm transfer of Nuno Tavares to Arsenal|newspaper=Público|language=pt|date=10 July 2021|access-date=29 December 2021}}

On 10 July 2021, Tavares joined Arsenal on a long-term contract in a deal worth around £8 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-nuno-tavares-joins-us-benfica|title=Welcome Nuno! {{!}} Tavares joins us from Benfica|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=10 July 2021|access-date=10 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57772226|title=Nuno Tavares: Arsenal sign left-back from Benfica in £8m deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 July 2021|access-date=18 July 2021}} He made his Premier League debut on 13 August, coming on as a late substitute for Calum Chambers in a 2–0 away defeat to Brentford.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58109868|title=Brentford 2–0 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=13 August 2021|access-date=26 August 2021}} Following an injury to Kieran Tierney he managed to earn a starting spot, initially achieving good performances and earning praise from coach Mikel Arteta, who especially liked his attacking qualities; however, he also struggled with homesickness, and his defensive frailties, positional mistakes and lapses in concentration led to him being regularly substituted at half-time during matches, most notably when he gifted a goal to Diogo Jota in the 4–0 defeat to Liverpool following a misplaced pass.{{cite web|url=https://themastermindsite.com/2021/12/19/mikel-arteta-arsenal-tactical-analysis-2021-22-edition/|title=Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – Tactical analysis (2021–22 edition)|publisher=The Mastermindsite|first=Rhys|last=Desmond|date=19 December 2021|access-date=18 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@swavesportz/arsenal-loanees-nuno-tavares-folarin-balogun-grab-debut-goals-bfbb611b127d|title=Arsenal loanees Nuno Tavares & Folarin Balogun grab debut goals|publisher=Medium|date=8 August 2022|access-date=18 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/nuno-tavares-marseille-arsenal-guendouzi-24999667|title=Why Nuno Tavares is enjoying life at Marseille alongside former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi|publisher=Football London|first=Will|last=Freeman|date=12 September 2022|access-date=18 October 2022}}

Tavares scored his first goal on 23 April 2022, through a calm tap-in after David de Gea had saved Bukayo Saka's curl in the third minute of an eventual 3–1 home win against Manchester United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61125048|title=Arsenal 3–1 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=23 April 2022|access-date=23 April 2022}}

On 30 July 2022, Tavares moved to Ligue 1 club Marseille on a season-long loan;{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/nuno-tavares-joins-marseille-loan|title=Nuno Tavares joins Marseille on loan|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=30 July 2022|access-date=30 July 2022}} he wanted to have the option to sign permanently at the end of the deal, but Arteta refused to sanction it.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-mikel-arteta-transfer-solution-27969087|title=Mikel Arteta's transfer "solution" vindicated as wantaway Arsenal star thrives|newspaper=Daily Mirror|first=Dan|last=Marsh|date=12 September 2022|access-date=17 November 2022}} He scored on his debut, a 4–1 home victory over Reims.{{cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/ligue-1/direct-om-reims-suivez-la-premiere-journee-de-ligue-1-en-live-03716c9e-15bd-11ed-b3ab-203ffee0a517|title=Ligue 1. L'OM s'amuse face à Reims avec un doublé de Luis Suarez lors de la première journée|trans-title=Ligue 1. OM have fun against Reims with Luis Suarez brace in matchday one|newspaper=Ouest-France|first=Arthur|last=Frand|language=fr|date=7 August 2022|access-date=7 August 2022}} He repeated the feat the following matchday, in the 1–1 draw at Brest.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-barcelona-52e737f9099c83487f8c9b4993d044ba|title=Sanchez makes debut for Marseille in a 1–1 draw at Brest|publisher=Associated Press|first=Jerome|last=Pugmire|date=14 August 2022|access-date=14 August 2022}}

Tavares improved his form under manager Igor Tudor, with his attacking style being put to good use in the latter's system.{{cite web|url=https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/nuno-tavares-arsenal-problem-revealed-24960391|title=Nuno Tavares' crucial Arsenal problem revealed amid Matteo Guendouzi 'flourishing' at Marseille|publisher=Football London|first1=Stephen|last1=Killen|first2=Laurie|last2=Martin|date=8 September 2022|access-date=18 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sagagist.com.ng/2022/09/epl-he-doesnt-even-realise-his.html|title=EPL: He doesn't even realise his qualities – Marseille boss, Tudor hails Arsenal star|publisher=Saga Gist|date=13 September 2022|access-date=18 October 2022}} On 2 January 2023, however, in the last minutes of a 2–1 away defeat of Montpellier – he had opened the score at the start of the second half – he gave away a penalty after deliberately kicking Arnaud Souquet in the box and was consequently sent off,{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/03/arsenal-nuno-tavares-sent-off-for-horror-tackle-during-marseille-win-18031106/|title=Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares 'lost his mind' after getting sent off for horror tackle|newspaper=Metro|first=Callum|last=McAvoy|date=3 January 2023|access-date=13 January 2023}} being handed a three-match ban for his actions two days later.{{cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/olympique-de-marseille/om-nuno-tavares-suspendu-trois-matches-bcdc8f88-8c64-11ed-9fb2-0b86ee40425f|title=OM. Nuno Tavares suspendu trois matches|trans-title=OM. Nuno Tavares with three-match suspension|newspaper=Ouest-France|language=fr|date=4 January 2023|access-date=13 January 2023}}

On 1 September 2023, Tavares joined Nottingham Forest on loan for the season with a £12 million option to buy.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2023/september/01/forest-sign-nuno-tavares-on-loan-from-arsenal/|title=Forest sign Nuno Tavares on loan from Arsenal|publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C.|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}} Even though he featured more after his compatriot Nuno Espírito Santo replaced Steve Cooper on the bench in December, he totalled only 12 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/arsenal/arsenal-nuno-tavares-mikel-arteta-transfer-training-711644-20240410|title=What happened to the Arsenal outcast 'kicked out of training' who 'annoyed' Mikel Arteta|publisher=SPORTbible|first=Ryan|last=Smart|date=10 April 2024|access-date=15 June 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-miss-out-crucial-transfer-29211477|title=Arsenal miss out on crucial transfer windfall as Mikel Arteta handed headache|publisher=Football London|first=Josh|last=Holland|date=21 May 2024|access-date=15 June 2024}}

Forest did not eventually activate the purchase clause.{{cite web|url=https://dailycannon.com/2024/05/tavares-nottingham-forest-buy-option/|title=Arsenal loanee’s club confirm they aren’t activating purchase clause|publisher=Daily Cannon|first=Dan|last=Critchlow|date=21 May 2024|access-date=16 July 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5628874/2024/07/15/nuno-tavares-arsenal-lazio-transfer/|title=Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares joins Lazio on loan|publisher=The Athletic|first1=Nnamdi|last1=Onyeagwara|first2=James|last2=McNicholas|date=15 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}} On 15 July 2024, Tavares was loaned to Lazio for the 2024–25 campaign with an obligation to buy if certain conditions were met.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/nuno-tavares-completes-loan-move-lazio|title=Nuno Tavares completes loan move to Lazio|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=15 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}

Early into his spell at Lazio, Tavares created eight goals from nine league appearances, and he provided five assists in the first five.{{cite web|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/stat_reveals_how_superb_tavares_has_been_among_europes_top_five_players/s1_15968_41066045|title=Stat reveals how superb Tavares has been among Europe’s top five players|publisher=Yardbarker|date=16 October 2024|access-date=9 March 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/best-xi-players-top-5-150000650.html|title=The Best XI players in Top 5 European leagues: Lazio star joins Barcelona & Bayern Munich duo|publisher=Yahoo Sports|date=23 November 2024|access-date=9 March 2025}}

Tavares won his first cap for Portugal at under-21 level on 10 September 2019, in a 2–0 win in Belarus for the 2021 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/selecoes/sub21/detalhe/bielorrussia-portugal-em-direto|title=Portugal vence Bielorrússia e sobe à liderança do Grupo 7|trans-title=Portugal beat Belarus and climb to first place in Group 7|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=10 September 2019|access-date=29 December 2021}} On 7 October 2021, against Liechtenstein in the next edition, he scored the first goal in the 11–0 rout in Vizela.{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/goleada-historica-selecao-de-sub-21-vence-liechtenstein-por-11-0-14198374.html|title=Goleada histórica. Seleção de sub-21 vence Liechtenstein por 11–0|trans-title=Historic rout. Under-21 national team defeat Liechtenstein 11–0|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|language=pt|date=7 October 2021|access-date=29 December 2021}}

Tavares was included in a provisional squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/rumor-portugal-reportedly-announce-provisional-55-man-squad-2022-fifa-world-cup-liverpool-star-receives-surprise-call|title=Portugal reportedly name provisional 55-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup; Liverpool star receives surprise call up|publisher=Sportskeeda|first=Dakir Mohammed|last=Thanveer|date=25 October 2022|access-date=9 November 2022}} but did not make the final cut.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/mundial/artigos/os-26-convocados-de-portugal-para-o-mundial2022|title=Os 26 convocados de Portugal: Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva, Otávio e Matheus Nunes chamados|trans-title=Portugal select 26: Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva, Otávio and Matheus Nunes called|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=10 November 2022|access-date=14 November 2022}} Courtesy of his Lazio performances,{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/66169062/nuno-tavares-e-o-expresso-de-roma-sinto-me-cada-vez-mais-em-casa/|title=Nuno Tavares é o expresso de Roma: "Sinto-me cada vez mais em casa"|trans-title=Nuno Tavares is the Roman express: "I feel more at home by the day"|newspaper=O Jogo|first=António|last=Pires|language=pt|date=8 October 2024|access-date=16 November 2024}} he made his full debut on 15 November 2024, replacing Nuno Mendes late into the 5–1 home victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League.{{cite web|url=https://portugoal.net/selecao/4297-vitinha-sparks-second-half-demolition-job-as-portugal-thrash-poland-5-1-in-porto|title=Vitinha sparks second-half demolition job as Portugal thrash Poland 5–1 in Porto|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=15 November 2024|access-date=16 November 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/liga-das-nacoes/detalhe/nuno-tavares-feliz-pela-1-internacionalizacao-estou-entre-os-melhores-onde-quero-estar|title=Nuno Tavares "feliz" pela 1.ª internacionalização: "Estou entre os melhores, onde quero estar"|trans-title=Nuno Tavares "happy" for the 1st cap: "I am among the best, where I want to be"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=15 November 2024|access-date=16 November 2024}}

Tavares was involved in the Amazon Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal, which documented the club by spending time with the coaching staff and players behind the scenes both on and off the field throughout their 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/full-all-or-nothing-trailer-released|title=Full 'All Or Nothing' trailer released|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=19 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta3CLkX-bzk|title=All or Nothing: Arsenal {{pipe}} Official full trailer 🎬|publisher=Amazon Prime Video|via=YouTube|date=19 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}

{{updated|match played 17 April 2025}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 15 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=32948|title=Nuno Tavares|website=EU-Football.info|access-date=16 November 2024}}

Benfica

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2019

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.arsenal.com/men/players/nuno-tavares Arsenal official profile]
• {{Premier League player|66094}}
• {{ForaDeJogo}}
• {{LFP Ligue 1|nuno-albertino-varela-tavares}}
• {{FPF national player|910106}}

{{SS Lazio squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tavares, Nuno}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:Portuguese sportspeople of Cape Verdean descent

Category:Black Portuguese sportspeople

Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen

Category:Portuguese men's footballers

Category:Footballers from Lisbon

Category:Men's association football fullbacks

Category:Primeira Liga players

Category:Liga Portugal 2 players

Category:Casa Pia A.C. players

Category:Sporting CP footballers

Category:S.L. Benfica B players

Category:S.L. Benfica footballers

Category:Premier League players

Category:Arsenal F.C. players

Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Olympique de Marseille players

Category:Serie A players

Category:SS Lazio players

Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers

Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Portugal men's international footballers

Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in France

Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Italy