João Moutinho facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Iria Santos and the second or paternal family name is Moutinho.

Quick facts for kids
João Moutinho

Moutinho with Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Personal information

Date of birth

8 September 1986 (age 38)

Place of birth

Barreiro, Portugal

Height

1.70 m

Playing position

Midfielder

Club information

Current club

Braga

Number

Youth career

1996-2000

Portimonense

2000–2004

Sporting CP

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps^†

(Gls)^†

2003–2004

Sporting CP B

(1)

2004–2010

Sporting CP

163

(21)

2010–2013

Porto

(4)

2013–2018

Monaco

158

(9)

2018–2023

Wolverhampton Wanderers

175

(5)

2023–

Braga

(1)

National team^‡

2003

Portugal U17

(0)

2004

Portugal U18

(0)

2004

Portugal U19

(1)

2005–2007

Portugal U21

(2)

2006

Portugal B

(0)

2005–2022

Portugal

146

(7)

Honours

UEFA European U17 Championship

Men's football
Representing Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Winner	2016 France	Team
Bronze	2012 Poland-Ukraine	Team
UEFA Nations League
Winner	2019 Portugal	Team
FIFA Confederations Cup
Third	2017 Russia	Team
Winner	2003 Portugal

Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:44, 19 January 2025 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:38, 9 June 2022 (UTC)

João Filipe Iria Santos Moutinho (born September 8, 1986) is a famous Portuguese footballer. He plays as a central midfielder for the club Braga in Portugal's top league, the Primeira Liga.

Moutinho started his professional career with Sporting CP. In 2010, he moved to FC Porto. Between these two clubs, he won twelve major titles. Three years later, he joined Monaco and helped them win the Ligue 1 championship in the 2016–17 season. In 2018, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, playing 212 games before returning to Portugal with Braga in 2023.

Moutinho also played for the Portugal national team in many big tournaments. These include four European Championships, one UEFA Nations League finals, and two FIFA World Cups. He helped Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019.

Club Career Highlights
International Career
Personal Life
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Sporting CP

João Moutinho was born in Barreiro, Portugal. He grew up in Portimão. He showed great football talent early on while playing for Portimonense SC. When he was 13, he joined Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon to continue his football training.

In the 2004–05 season, at just 17 years old, Moutinho was called up to the main team. He then returned to the junior team, helping them win the national title.

Early in 2005, Moutinho played his first game for Sporting in the Taça de Portugal. He made his Primeira Liga debut on January 23, playing the whole game in a 3–0 win. He quickly became a regular player. He could play in different midfield positions. His energy and determination made him a fan favorite.

Moutinho (right) playing against João Pereira in 2009

Moutinho's strong performances, especially in the UEFA Cup, helped Sporting reach the final in 2005. He played 15 league games as his team finished second. He soon extended his contract.

In his first full season (2005–06), Moutinho played every minute of every league match. He scored his team's final goal of the season, a 1–0 win against S.C. Braga. This win helped Sporting qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

In 2006–07, at just 19, Moutinho became the team's vice-captain. The next season, he was named captain. He was the second youngest captain in the club's history.

In 2008–09, Moutinho played in almost all games. Sporting finished second again. He scored his team's only goal in the Champions League against FC Bayern Munich.

Moving to Porto

On July 3, 2010, Moutinho signed a five-year contract with rival club FC Porto. He quickly became a key player for Porto.

In his first season (2010–11), he played 50 official games. Porto won the league and the Portuguese Cup. He also played 90 minutes in the Europa League final, which Porto won. The club achieved a "treble" by winning three major titles that season.

On February 19, 2013, Moutinho scored a goal that helped Porto win 1–0 against Málaga CF in the Champions League. He played 43 games that season, scoring five goals. Porto won their third league championship in a row.

Time at Monaco

On May 24, 2013, Moutinho joined AS Monaco FC in France. He made his first official appearance on September 1. He helped Monaco win 2–1 against Olympique de Marseille, putting them at the top of Ligue 1.

Moutinho was a regular starter in his first season (2013–14). Monaco finished second in the league. He scored one goal that season.

On September 16, 2014, Moutinho scored the only goal in a Champions League match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He played 52 games that season as Monaco finished third.

In 2016–17, Moutinho scored two goals in 31 matches. He helped Monaco win their eighth national championship.

Playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers

On July 24, 2018, Moutinho joined the English club Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made his Premier League debut on August 11 in a 2–2 draw against Everton. His first goal in the Premier League came on September 22 against Manchester United.

Wolverhampton fans voted Moutinho as their Player of the Season for his first year. He played in all 38 league games. He also played six games in their FA Cup run to the semi-finals.

On November 23, 2019, Moutinho signed a new contract with the club until 2022. On December 12, 2020, he received his first red card in 859 career matches. On February 2, 2021, he scored his first goal at Molineux Stadium against Arsenal, helping Wolves win 2–1.

Moutinho scored the only goal in a win over Manchester United on January 3, 2022. This was Wolves' first league victory at Old Trafford since 1980. He scored again on January 22 against Brentford. Although his contract ended on July 1, he signed a new one-year deal three days later.

On June 2, 2023, it was announced that Moutinho would leave Wolves. His last game for the club was on May 6, 2023. He played 175 Premier League games and 212 total games for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Joining Braga

On August 25, 2023, Moutinho signed a one-year contract with Braga. Nine days later, he made his debut, returning to the Primeira Liga after ten years abroad. On December 22, Moutinho scored his first goal for Braga from a penalty kick. This was the first goal in a 3–1 win over Nacional in the Taça da Liga.

International Career

Croatia's Luka Modrić and Moutinho in an international friendly in June 2013

João Moutinho became a full Portugal international at 18. He made his debut on August 17, 2005, in a 2–0 friendly win against Egypt. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he became a regular player for the national team.

On May 31, 2008, Moutinho scored his first goal for Portugal in a 2–0 friendly win against Georgia. He was chosen for the squad for UEFA Euro 2008. In the first game, he assisted a goal in a 2–0 victory over Turkey.

Moutinho also played in two UEFA European Under-21 Championships. He scored against Germany in the 2006 tournament.

Moutinho winning his 100th cap, against New Zealand in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Moutinho played every game and minute at the Euro 2012 tournament. In the semi-finals against Spain, he missed his penalty shootout attempt, and Portugal lost.

Moutinho was selected for the 2014 World Cup. He made his World Cup debut on June 16 in a 0–4 loss to Germany. On October 8, 2015, he scored the only goal as Portugal beat Denmark to qualify for Euro 2016. Three days later, he scored again in a 2–1 win against Serbia.

Moutinho played six out of seven games to help Portugal win the European Championships for the first time in 2016. He was also picked for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup squad. In this competition, he earned his 100th cap by playing the full game in a 4–0 win over New Zealand.

Moutinho was part of the 2018 World Cup squad. On June 2, he captained the team for the first time in a friendly draw against Belgium.

On November 14, 2020, Moutinho played his 128th game for Portugal. This meant he had played more games than Luís Figo, becoming the second most capped Portuguese player ever, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. He was also named in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.

In October 2022, he was included in Portugal's first list of players for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, he was not in the final squad.

Personal Life

João Moutinho's father, Nélson, was also a footballer. He played as a forward for many clubs. Moutinho's cousin, Hugo, also played football professionally.

Besides his native Portuguese, Moutinho also speaks English and French. He was already good at English when he moved to England.

Honours and Awards

João Moutinho has won many titles and awards throughout his career:

Sporting CP

Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 2006–07, 2007–08
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup): 2007, 2008

Porto

Primeira Liga (Portuguese League): 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 2010–11
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup): 2010, 2011, 2012
UEFA Europa League: 2010–11

Monaco

Ligue 1 (French League): 2016–17

Braga

Taça da Liga (Portuguese League Cup): 2023–24

Portugal National Team

UEFA European Championship (Euro): 2016
UEFA Nations League: 2018–19
UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2003
FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2017

Individual Awards

SJPF Player of the Month: April 2005
SJPF Young Player of the Month: October 2006, November 2006, October 2007, November 2007, February 2008, March 2008
Porto Player of the Year: 2012–13
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Player of the Season: 2018–19

Orders

Commander of the Order of Merit (a special honor in Portugal)

Images for kids

Moutinho with Portugal at the 2017 Confederations Cup