José Bosingwa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
José Bosingwa

Bosingwa playing for Trabzonspor in 2013
Personal information
Full name	José Bosingwa da Silva
Date of birth	(1982-08-24) 24 August 1982 (age 43)
Place of birth	Mbandaka, Zaire
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Right-back
Youth career
1996–1997	Fornos de Algodres
1997–2000	Boavista
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2003	Boavista	41	(0)
2000–2001	→ Freamunde (loan)	11	(0)
2003–2008	Porto	107	(3)
2008–2012	Chelsea	89	(3)
2012–2013	Queens Park Rangers	23	(0)
2013–2015	Trabzonspor	51	(0)
2016	Trabzonspor	12	(0)
Total		334	(6)
International career
2003–2004	Portugal U21	18	(0)
2007–2015	Portugal	27	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal UEFA European Under-21 Championship Third 2004 Germany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

José Bosingwa da Silva (born on August 24, 1982) is a former professional footballer from Portugal. He played as a right-back, which is a defensive position on the right side of the field.

Bosingwa was known for being an attacking player. He used his speed to run up and down the sides of the field. This often caused problems for the opposing teams. He played for two major clubs, Porto and Chelsea, for most of his career. During his time, he won 13 different trophies. This included the important UEFA Champions League title with both clubs. He won it in 2004 with Porto and again in 2012 with Chelsea.

He also played for the Portuguese national team starting in 2007. Bosingwa represented his country at Euro 2008 and the 2004 Summer Olympics. He played in 27 international games for Portugal.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Out in Football

José Bosingwa was born in Mbandaka, Zaire. His father was Portuguese and his mother was Congolese. When he was very young, his family moved to Seia, a town in Portugal. He was the youngest of ten children in his family.

Bosingwa began his youth career playing for Boavista FC. He made his first professional appearance while on loan to S.C. Freamunde. This was in the Segunda Liga, a lower division league. He started his football journey playing as a midfielder.

Playing for Porto

After playing two full seasons with Boavista, Bosingwa joined FC Porto. This was a big club coached by José Mourinho. In his first year, 2003–04, he played in 13 league games. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut in September 2003. Porto went on to win the Champions League that season.

Bosingwa became Porto's main right-back starting in 2004–05. He was a key player as Porto won three more league titles over the next four years. During this time, he was involved in a car accident. One of the other players in the car was seriously injured.

Moving to Chelsea

Bosingwa training with Chelsea in 2008

On May 11, 2008, Bosingwa agreed to join Chelsea. He signed a three-year contract with the London club. He joined Chelsea after Euro 2008, along with his national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. He was given the number 16 jersey, but later switched to number 17.

Bosingwa played his first Premier League game for Chelsea on August 17, 2008. Chelsea won that game 4–0 against Portsmouth. He scored his first goal for Chelsea against Stoke City in September. He scored another goal from 25 yards out against West Bromwich Albion.

In February 2009, Bosingwa was involved in a controversial moment during a game against Liverpool. Later, he was banned for two European matches. This was because of comments he made about the referee after a Champions League semi-final game against FC Barcelona. He later apologized for his words.

In October 2009, Bosingwa got a knee injury. This meant he could not play for the rest of the season. Chelsea won the league title that year, but he did not play enough games to get a medal. He needed more surgery, which also meant he missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bosingwa returned to playing on October 16, 2010, exactly one year after his injury. He played the last 15 minutes in a game against Aston Villa. In the 2011–12 season, he returned to the starting lineup under the new manager. On August 27, 2011, he scored his first goal in three years against Norwich City.

Bosingwa playing for Chelsea in 2012

In October 2011, Bosingwa was sent off in a game against Queen's Park Rangers. On April 24, 2012, Bosingwa played an important role in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. He came on early in the game and helped Chelsea get a 2–2 draw. This meant Chelsea won 3–2 overall and reached the final.

Bosingwa played the entire 120 minutes of the Champions League final against FC Bayern Munich. Chelsea won the game 4–3 in a penalty shootout. This made Chelsea the first club from London to win the tournament. Soon after, Bosingwa was told he could leave the club when his contract ended.

Time at Queens Park Rangers

On August 17, 2012, Bosingwa signed a three-year contract with Queens Park Rangers (QPR). He scored his first goal for QPR on August 28 against Walsall in the Football League Cup.

In December 2012, Bosingwa faced a disciplinary issue for refusing to sit on the bench for a league game. When QPR was relegated from the Premier League in April 2013, a moment involving Bosingwa upset some fans. Three months later, he left the club by agreement.

Playing for Trabzonspor

On July 29, 2013, Bosingwa signed a three-year contract with Trabzonspor. This is a club in the Turkish Süper Lig. He left the club in November 2015 but returned in the next transfer window. He agreed to a five-month deal with them.

International Career

Bosingwa in action against Denmark in September 2008

Because he played so well for his clubs, Bosingwa was called up to the Portuguese national team in May 2007. He played his first game on June 2, replacing another player in a 2–1 win against Belgium. He became the first-choice right-back and played in all four matches at UEFA Euro 2008. He was even included in the team of the tournament.

Bosingwa also played for Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He also played for the under-21 team. He could have chosen to play for the Democratic Republic of Congo because of his mother's background, but he chose Portugal.

In November 2011, Bosingwa announced he would not play for the national team until the manager, Paulo Bento, was removed. The manager said Bosingwa was left out of games due to concerns about his attitude. The Portuguese Football Federation criticized Bosingwa for his decision.

After more than three years away, Bosingwa was called back to the national team on November 7, 2014. This was by the new manager, Fernando Santos. He was called up for a Euro 2016 qualifier and a friendly game.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Football Achievements

Bosingwa on Chelsea's victory parade following their UEFA Champions League victory in 2012

Porto

• Primeira Liga: 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Taça de Portugal: 2005–06
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2004, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
• Intercontinental Cup: 2004

Chelsea

• FA Cup: 2008–09, 2011–12
• FA Community Shield: 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2011–12

Individual Awards

• FC Porto Player of the Year: 2007
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008

See also

In Spanish: José Bosingwa para niños