José Soares

For José Carlos Soares, see Soares (footballer, born 1963).

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Loureiro and the second or paternal family name is Soares.

José Feliciano Loureiro Soares (born 23 February 1976) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a central defender.

José Soares

Personal information
Full name	José Feliciano Loureiro Soares
Date of birth	(1976-02-23) 23 February 1976 (age 49)
Place of birth	Elvas, Portugal
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Youth career
1986–1990	O Elvas
1990–1994	Benfica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–2000	Benfica	4	(0)
1994–1995	→ Famalicão (loan)	7	(0)
1995–1997	→ Alverca (loan)	60	(2)
1997–1999	→ Alverca (loan)	60	(1)
1999	Benfica B	3	(0)
2000	Campomaiorense	14	(1)
2000–2001	Aves	15	(1)
2001–2002	Istres	0	(0)
2002–2003	Schweinfurt 05	13	(0)
2003–2004	Ettifaq
2004–2006	Al-Shamal
2006–2007	O Elvas
2008	Salgaocar
2008–2010	Badajoz
Total		176	(5)
International career
1993	Portugal U17	3	(0)
1994	Portugal U18	3	(0)
1996	Portugal U20	9	(0)
1997	Portugal U21	5	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal FIFA U-20 World Cup 1995 Qatar
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Born in Elvas, Alentejo, Soares signed with Benfica in 1990 to compete his formation, from local O Elvas CAD. He served mainly as backup to the main squad during his spell, also being loaned to F.C. Alverca which acted as the farm team.^[1][2]

Soares made his Primeira Liga debut on 1 February 1998, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home win against Vitória de Setúbal. Benfica loaned him several times for the duration of his contract, including to S.C. Campomaiorense where he man-marked Mário Jardel out of the game in a surprising 1–0 victory over FC Porto on 19 February 2000,^[3] which led to suspension for both players due to on-pitch altercations.^[4][5] After being released he represented various clubs, in France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India and Spain, ending his career in 2010 at the age of 34.^[6][2]

International career

Soares was part of the Portugal U20 national team squad in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship, partnering Sporting Clube de Portugal's Beto as the nation finished in third position in Qatar.^[7] One year before, he helped the under-18 win the 1994 UEFA European Under-18 Championship.^[8]