William Carvalho facts for kids
Carvalho with Portugal at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | William Silva de Carvalho | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 7 April 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Luanda, Angola | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Pachuca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Algueirão | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Mira Sintra | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2011 | Sporting CP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2018 | Sporting CP | 143 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | → Fátima (loan) | 13 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | → Cercle Brugge (loan) | 47 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2025 | Betis | 172 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Pachuca | 0 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2009 | Portugal U17 | 25 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2010 | Portugal U18 | 8 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Portugal U19 | 9 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Portugal U20 | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2015 | Portugal U21 | 15 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2022 | Portugal | 80 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:35, 24 May 2025 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Silva de Carvalho ComM (born 7 April 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer. He plays as a defensive midfielder for Liga MX club Pachuca.
William spent most of his early career with Sporting CP in Portugal. He joined their first team at age 18. He played 193 matches for Sporting and won the Portuguese Cup in 2015. In 2018, he moved to Real Betis in Spain. There, he played 223 games and helped them win the Spanish Cup in 2022.
William has also played for the Portuguese national team since 2013. He represented Portugal in three World Cups and two European Championships. He was part of the team that won the European Championship in 2016.
Contents
William Carvalho's Early Life
William Carvalho was born in Luanda, Angola. He moved to Portugal when he was very young. His grandfather, Praia, and his uncle, Afonso, were also footballers. They played for a club in Angola called Progresso Associação do Sambizanga.
William's Club Football Journey
Starting Out in Portugal
After moving to Portugal, William began playing football on the streets. He was soon recruited by a team called Recreios Desportivos de Algueirão. In 2004, he joined União Sport Clube de Mira Sintra. He was the youngest player there and also the team's captain.
William joined Sporting CP's youth academy when he was 13. He made his first official appearance for Sporting's main team on 3 April 2011. He played a short time in a 1–1 draw against Vitória S.C. in the Primeira Liga. After this, he spent six months on loan to C.D. Fátima in the third division.
Loan Spells and First Goals
William then went on loan to Cercle Brugge K.S.V. in Belgium in January 2012. He played there for one and a half seasons. He was joined by several other Sporting teammates on loan. He scored his first professional goal on 7 April in a 6–4 win. A year later, he helped his team reach the Belgian Cup final. They lost 2–0 to K.R.C. Genk.
Returning to Sporting CP
William returned to Sporting for the 2013–14 season. He became a key defensive player for the new coach, Leonardo Jardim. He scored his first goal for Sporting on 27 October. It was an equalizer in a match they eventually lost 3–1 to FC Porto.
In the summer of 2014, many European clubs were interested in him. Arsenal even offered money and a player, but Sporting said no. William won his first trophy with Sporting in the 2014–15 season. They won the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) by beating S.C. Braga in the final.
In 2015, William suffered a stress fracture in his leg. This injury kept him out of play for three months. In 2017, there were talks about him moving to West Ham United.
On 15 May 2018, William and some of his teammates were injured. About 50 fans attacked them at the club's training ground. This happened after the team finished third in the league. Despite this, William and his team played in the Portuguese Cup final that weekend. They lost to C.D. Aves.
Playing for Real Betis in Spain
On 13 July 2018, William joined Real Betis in Spain. He signed a five-year contract. He made his La Liga debut on 17 August. It was a 0–3 loss at home against Levante UD.
In September 2019, William was sent off in a match. Days later, he had a back injury (a spinal disc herniation). He did not play again until February 2020. He only played 13 games that season.
William scored his first goal for Betis on 20 September 2020. It was in a 2–0 home win against Real Valladolid. He scored again six days later, in a 3–2 loss to Real Madrid.
In September 2022, William extended his contract with Betis until 2026. On 13 September 2024, he suffered a serious injury. He completely tore his Achilles tendon in his right leg. This meant he missed almost all of the 2024–25 season.
William left Betis on 18 July 2025, after seven seasons. He played 223 games for the club, which is the most for a foreign player. He was a key part of the team that won the Spanish Cup in 2022.
Moving to Mexico
On 25 July 2025, William Carvalho signed a two-year contract. He joined C.F. Pachuca in the Mexican Liga MX.
William's International Career
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William could have played for either Portugal or Angola. He chose to represent Portugal. When he was playing for the Portugal under-20 team, Angola tried to call him up, but he said no.
William made his debut for the Portugal under-21 team on 15 October 2012. He scored two goals during the qualifiers for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
He was first called up to the main Portuguese team in November 2013. This was for the 2014 FIFA World Cup play-offs against Sweden. He played his first game on 19 November, coming on as a substitute. Portugal won that match 3–2.
In May 2014, William was chosen for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He played his first World Cup game on 22 June. Portugal was eliminated from the tournament based on goal difference.
William played every game at the 2015 European Under-21 Championship. He was named the best player of the tournament. However, he missed a penalty in the final against Sweden.
At UEFA Euro 2016 in France, William was suspended for the semi-final. But he played in the final, where Portugal beat the hosts 1–0. He scored his first international goal on 13 November 2016. It was in a 4–1 win against Latvia.
In May 2018, William was chosen for the World Cup in Russia. He also played in UEFA Euro 2020. William was part of the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
William's Style of Play
William Carvalho mainly plays as a defensive midfielder. He can also play as a central midfielder or a central defender. He is known for his good passing and how well he controls the game. He is also praised for being calm on the field and for his strong physical presence. Even though he is not very fast, William is known for making quick decisions during games.
William's Football Achievements
Sporting CP
- Taça de Portugal: 2014–15
- Taça da Liga: 2017–18
Betis
- Copa del Rey: 2021–22
Portugal U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2015
Portugal
- UEFA European Championship: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2018–19
- FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2017
Individual Awards
- SJPF Young Player of the Month: August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, March 2014, April 2014
- SJPF Player of the Month: October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, March 2014
- LPFP Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2013–14
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Player of the tournament: 2015
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the tournament: 2015
Orders
Commander of the Order of Merit
See also
In Spanish: William Carvalho para niños
