Dyego Sousa Explained

Dyego Sousa
Full Name:Dyego Wilverson Ferreira Sousa
Birth Date:14 September 1989
Birth Place:São Luís, Brazil
Height:1.89 m[1]
Currentclub:Alcorcón
Clubnumber:11
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Americano-MA
Youthclubs2:Maranhão
Youthclubs3:Moto Club
Youthyears4:2005–2007
Youthclubs4:Palmeiras
Youthyears5:2007–2008
Youthclubs5:Nacional
Years1:2009
Clubs1:Moto Club
Caps1:13
Goals1:4
Years3:2010
Clubs3:Operário
Caps3:13
Goals3:2
Years4:2010–2011
Clubs4:Leixões
Caps4:10
Goals4:2
Years5:2011–2012
Clubs5:Interclube
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Years6:2012–2013
Clubs6:Tondela
Caps6:29
Goals6:4
Years7:2013–2014
Clubs7:Portimonense
Caps7:26
Goals7:6
Years8:2014
Clubs8:Marítimo B
Caps8:1
Goals8:1
Years9:2014–2017
Clubs9:Marítimo
Caps9:61
Goals9:19
Years10:2017–2019
Clubs10:Braga
Caps10:51
Goals10:23
Years11:2019–2020
Clubs11:Shenzhen
Caps11:10
Goals11:3
Years12:2020
Clubs12:Benfica (loan)
Caps12:11
Goals12:0
Years13:2020
Clubs13:Famalicão (loan)
Caps13:5
Goals13:0
Years14:2021–2023
Clubs14:Almería
Caps14:44
Goals14:5
Years15:2023–
Clubs15:Alcorcón
Caps15:24
Goals15:7
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Portugal
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Pcupdate:8 June 2024
Ntupdate:25 March 2019

Dyego Wilverson Ferreira Sousa (born 14 September 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club AD Alcorcón.

He spent most of his career in Portugal, making 128 appearances and scoring 41 goals in the Primeira Liga for Marítimo, Braga and Benfica. In the second tier, he played 66 games and scored 13 goals for four clubs.

Born and raised in Brazil, Sousa made his international debut for Portugal in 2019 and was part of their squad that won the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.

Club career

Early career

Born in São Luís, Maranhão, Sousa began his career at his hometown team Moto Club de São Luís' youth setup before moving to Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras in 2005, aged 15.[2] Released by the club in the following year, he subsequently joined C.D. Nacional's under-20 squad after a trial period.[3]

Sent back to Brazil in the middle of 2008 to nurse an injury, Sousa never returned to Nacional.[3] In 2009, he returned to Moto Club and made his senior debut on 19 February, starting in a 2–1 Campeonato Maranhense away loss against São José de Ribamar Esporte Clube; his first goal for the club came on 23 April, in a 2–2 draw against the same opponent.

On 13 November 2009, Sousa joined Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube,[4] and made his debut for the club the following 17 January, by starting in a 1–0 home win against Cascavel Clube Recreativo, for the year's Campeonato Paranaense. He scored his first goal for the club on 31 March, netting his team's second in a 2–2 home draw against the same opponent, but was released in April after scoring only two goals.

Leixões

In July 2010, Sousa moved abroad for the second time, again to Portugal, joining Leixões S.C. of the Liga de Honra.[5] He made his professional debut on 8 August, starting in a 0–0 away draw against C.D. Trofense, for the season's Taça da Liga; his first goal abroad occurred on 10 November, in a 2–1 loss at F.C. Paços de Ferreira, also for the league cup.

Sousa contributed with three goals in 14 appearances overall, as his side finished sixth.

Interclube

In June 2011, Sousa switched continents again, signing for G.D. Interclube in the Girabola of Angola.[6] However, he failed to make a single appearance during his time at the club, as his international certificate never arrived; he subsequently terminated his contract with the club in early 2012, but still remained six months without a club.[7]

Tondela / Portimonense

Sousa returned to Portugal's second tier in July 2012 with C.D. Tondela, being a regular starter during the campaign and scoring four times. The following year, he moved to fellow second division side Portimonense S.C. on 11 June, in a deal for two seasons.[8]

At Portimonense, Sousa scored braces in home wins against Atlético Clube de Portugal (4–0)[9] and C.S. Marítimo B (2–1),[10] finishing his only year with seven goals overall.

Marítimo

On 13 July 2014, Sousa signed a three-year contract with Primeira Liga club C.S. Marítimo.[11] In his first season on the island of Madeira he scored twice, both in a 4–0 home win over Boavista F.C. on 30 November,[12] but the following campaign he recorded 12 goals and made the top ten scorers of the year.[13] He also started six matches in the club's Taça da Liga run, that ended on 20 May 2016 with a 6–2 loss to S.L. Benfica in the final at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.[14]

In August 2016 in a friendly against Tondela, Sousa attacked a linesman, and was given a nine-month ban by the Portuguese Football Federation in November, which was rescinded by a court the following month.[15]

Braga

Sousa and compatriot teammate Fransérgio agreed on 31 January 2017 to transfer to S.C. Braga at the end of the season by which point he would be out of contract; he signed a four-year deal and Marítimo secured a share of any subsequent transfer fee.[16]

On 12 August 2018, in the season opener, Sousa was one of three players to score two goals in a 4–2 win at home to C.D. Nacional.[17] He scored a hat-trick on 14 December in a 4–0 win over C.D. Feirense also at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.[18]

Sousa and teammate Paulinho were joint top scorers with four goals in the 2018–19 Taça da Liga with four goals each, including a third-minute strike in the defeat to eventual champions Sporting CP in the semi-final.[19] On 6 March 2019, he signed a new contract until 2022,[20] and finished the league campaign as Braga's top scorer (joint fourth overall) with 15 goals.[21]

Shenzhen

After rejecting bids of €12–15 million in January, Braga sold Sousa to Chinese Super League club Shenzhen F.C. for €5.6 million in July 2019.[22] In his third game, he scored his first two goals in a 4–0 home win over Guangzhou R&F F.C. on 14 August to escape the relegation zone.[23]

On 31 January 2020, Sousa returned to Portugal's top flight, joining S.L. Benfica on loan without the option to sign.[24] He debuted eight days later in a 3–2 loss at FC Porto in O Clássico, replacing André Almeida for the last five minutes.[25] He made 13 scoreless appearances for the team from Lisbon, including 14 minutes of their 2–1 loss to Porto in the 2020 Taça de Portugal Final on 1 August.[26]

Sousa signed for F.C. Famalicão on 5 October 2020.[27] After five games and no goals in two months, he rescinded his deal and went back to China.[28]

Almería

On 31 August 2021, Sousa agreed to a one-year contract with UD Almería in the Spanish Segunda División.[29] Playing mostly from the bench, he contributed 24 games and five goals to their title-winning season, starting with a hat-trick in a 4–1 win at CD Mirandés on his first start on 24 October.[30]

Sousa signed a new contract in March 2022, lasting until 2024.[31] On 14 August he made his La Liga debut in a 2–1 home loss to Real Madrid, as a 71st-minute substitute for Umar Sadiq.[32]

On 9 August 2023, Sousa terminated his contract with the Andalusians.[33]

Alcorcón

On 17 August 2023, Sousa joined AD Alcorcón also in the Spanish second division.[34]

International career

On 15 March 2019, Sousa was called up to represent the Portugal national football team for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. He earned his first cap in a 0–0 draw against Ukraine on 22 March 2019 as a substitute replacing André Silva in the 73rd minute.[35] He was part of Fernando Santos' squad that won the 2019 UEFA Nations League on home soil, but did not feature in either match.[36] [37] [38]

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Moto Club2009Série D419[39] 3215[40] 2197
Operário2010Série D0013[41] 2132
Leixões2010–11Liga de Honra1021031143
Interclube2011Girabola0000
Tondela2012–13Segunda Liga2940000294
Portimonense2013–14Segunda Liga2660031297
Marítimo B2014–15Segunda Liga1111
Marítimo2014–15Primeira Liga1822111214
2015–16281210603512
2016–171551042207
Subtotal6119411137623
Braga2017–18Primeira Liga18810106[42] 22610
2018–1933152034204019
Subtotal51233044826629
Shenzhen2019Chinese Super League10300103
Benfica (loan)2019–20Primeira Liga110000010120
Famalicão (loan)2020–21Primeira Liga500050
Career total20859225102219925227479

International

Portugal
YearAppsGoals
201920
Total20

Honours

Almería

2021–22[43]

Portugal

2018–19[38]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dyego Sousa . es . UD Almería . 28 September 2022.
  2. Web site: Ex-Palmeiras, Dyego Sousa conta como é defender Portugal e jogar com Cristiando Ronaldo: 'Fiquei ainda mais fã'. Formerly of Palmeiras, Dyego Sousa tells how it is to play for Portugal and play with Cristiano Ronaldo: 'I became even more of a fan'. ESPN Brasil. pt. 21 March 2019. 23 May 2019.
  3. Web site: Ex-Palmeiras, Dyego Sousa tem o mesmo superagente de Cristiano Ronaldo e defende Portugal. Formerly of Palmeiras, Dyego Sousa has the same superagent of Cristiano Ronaldo and plays for Portugal. ESPN Brasil. pt. 21 March 2019. 23 May 2019.
  4. Web site: Diego Souza é do Operário. Diego Souza is from Operário. Futebol Paranaense. pt. 13 November 2009. 23 May 2019.
  5. News: Gil . Amanda . Saiba quem é Dyego Sousa, brasileiro artilheiro da Liga Portuguesa. Get to know Dyego Sousa, Brazilian top scorer of the Portuguese League . 8 December 2018 . 26 September 2018 . pt. Super Esportes.
  6. News: Dyego Sousa e Jussane são reforços para o ataque . Dyego Sousa and Jussane are reinforcements for the attack. 8 December 2018 . AngoNotícias . 17 June 2011 . pt.
  7. Web site: Dyego Sousa. Relato.pt. pt. 17 August 2017. 23 May 2019.
  8. News: Dyego Sousa é reforço. Dyego Sousa is an addition. 5 October 2020 . Record . 11 June 2013 . pt.
  9. News: Portimonense-Atlético, 4-0: Regresso às vitórias. Portimonense-Atlético, 4-0: return to winning ways. 5 October 2020 . Record . 1 September 2013 . pt.
  10. News: Portimonense-Marítimo B, 2-1: Dyego Sousa bisa. Portimonense-Marítimo B, 2-1: Dyego Sousa scores brace. 5 October 2020 . Record . 16 March 2014 . pt.
  11. Web site: Dyego Sousa em entrevista à Marítimo TV: " Um avançando vive de… golos". 13 July 2014. Dyego Sousa in interview for Marítimo TV: "A striker lives off... goals". pt. 26 July 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810111945/http://portal.csmaritimo.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6683%3Adyego-sousa-em-entrevista-a-maritimo-tv-qum-avancado-vive-de-golosq&catid=207%3Aequipa-principal-201415. 10 August 2014.
  12. News: Marítimo goleia e Boavista termina com três expulsos. Marítimo thrash and Boavista finish with three players sent off . 18 December 2018 . TSF . 30 November 2014 . pt.
  13. News: Sankar . Aswin . Marítimo's Brazilian striker Dyego Sousa given nine-month suspension for attacking a linesman . 18 December 2018 . Samba Foot . 7 November 2016.
  14. News: Marítimo 2 - 6 Benfica . 18 December 2018 . SAPO . 20 May 2016 . pt.
  15. News: Marques . David . Marítimo: TAD suspende castigo de nove meses a Dyego Sousa . Marítimo: Court of Arbitration for Sport suspends Dyego Sousa's nine-month punishment. 18 December 2018 . Mais Futebol . 15 December 2016 . pt.
  16. News: Dyego Sousa e Fransérgio transferem-se do Marítimo para o Braga . Dyego Sousa and Fransérgio transfer from Marítimo to Braga. 18 December 2018 . Funchal Notícias . 31 January 2017 . pt.
  17. News: Maga . Diogo . Três "bis" na vitória do Sp. Braga sobre o Nacional. Three "braces" in Sp. Braga's victory over Nacional . 18 December 2018 . Público . 12 August 2018 . pt.
  18. News: Hat-trick de Dyego Sousa na goleada do Braga frente ao Feirense . Dyego Sousa scores a hat-trick in Braga's thrashing of Feirense. 18 December 2018 . Jornal de Notícias . 14 December 2018 . pt.
  19. News: Sporting vence Sp. Braga no desempate por penáltis e está na final da Taça da Liga com o FC Porto - como aconteceu . Sporting defeat Sp. Braga on penalties and are in the Taça da Liga final with FC Porto - how it went. 28 January 2019 . Observador . 23 January 2019 . pt.
  20. News: Dyego Sousa renova até 2022. Dyego Sousa renews until 2022 . 6 March 2019 . A Bola . 6 March 2019 . pt.
  21. News: GOLEADORES: Seferovic é o melhor marcador da Liga . GOALSCORERS: Seferovic is the top scorer in the Liga. 1 July 2019 . Mais Futebol . 18 May 2019 . pt.
  22. News: Saída de Dyego Sousa do Braga: negócio polémico ganha novos capítulos. Dyego Sousa's exit from Braga: controversial deal earns new chapters . 20 August 2019 . O Jogo . 29 July 2019 . pt.
  23. News: China: Shenzhen sai da zona de descida com "bis" de Dyego Sousa . China: Shenzhen escape relegation zone with "brace" from Dyego Sousa. 20 August 2019 . Mais Futebol . 15 August 2019 . pt.
  24. News: Benfica fecha empréstimo de Dyego Sousa . Benfica complete loan of Dyego Sousa. 8 March 2020 . One Football . 31 January 2020 . pt.
  25. News: FC Porto breathe new life into Primeira Liga title race with Clássico triumph . 8 March 2020 . PortuGOAL . 8 February 2020.
  26. News: Pereira . António Pedro . Final da Taça de Portugal. A dobradinha dos bravos de Conceição. Taça de Portugal final: Double for Conceição's aces. 11 June 2022 . Diário de Notícias . 2 August 2020 . Portuguese.
  27. News: Oficial: Dyego Sousa é reforço do Famalicão. Official: Dyego Sousa is Famalicão addition . 5 October 2020 . Record . 5 October 2020 . pt.
  28. News: Pereira . Sérgio . Maia . Vítor . Dyego Sousa deixa o Famalicão. Dyego Sousa leaves Famalicão. 11 June 2022 . 4 December 2020 . Portuguese.
  29. Web site: Experienced striker Dyego Sousa joins UD Almería. UD Almería. 31 August 2021. 31 August 2021.
  30. News: Castillo . Aitor . Dyego Sousa se reivindica con un 'hat trick' que vale un liderato. Dyego Sousa vindicates himself with a 'hat-trick' worth first place. 11 June 2022 . . 24 October 2021 . Spanish.
  31. News: García . Nico . Dyego Sousa renueva hasta 2024. Dyego Sousa renews until 2024 . 11 October 2022 . . 25 March 2022 . Spanish.
  32. News: Vazquez, Alaba take Real Madrid to comeback win over Almeria . 11 October 2022 . La Prensa Latina . 14 August 2022.
  33. Web site: El Almería y Dyego Sousa rescinden el contrato. Almería and Dyego Sousa rescind the contract. UD Almería. es. 9 August 2023. 9 August 2023.
  34. Web site: Dyego Sousa, nuevo delantero de la A.D. Alcorcón. Dyego Sousa, new forward of A.D. Alcorcón. AD Alcorcón. es. 17 August 2023. 17 August 2023.
  35. Web site: Portugal draw blank against Ukraine . PortuGOAL . 25 March 2019.
  36. News: Nations League: Four Wolves players named in Portugal squad . 1 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 23 May 2019.
  37. News: Portugal 3 - 1 Switzerland . 1 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 5 June 2019.
  38. News: Portugal 1 - 0 Netherlands . 1 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 9 June 2019.
  39. Five appearances and two goals in Campeonato Maranhense, four appearances and one goal in Campeonato Maranhense Série B
  40. Appearance(s) in Copa União do Maranhão
  41. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paranaense
  42. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  43. News: Almería de Samu, Carriço, Dyego Sousa e Monte sobe à Liga Espanhola. Samu, Carriço, Dyego Sousa and Monte's Almería promoted to La Liga. 11 June 2022 . Mais Futebol . 29 May 2022 . Portuguese.
  44. Web site: Melhores de setembro: Phellype e Shoya em destaque. Liga Portugal. 19 February 2019.
  45. Web site: Melhores de janeiro: João Félix e Pedro Henrique em destaque. Liga Portugal. 19 February 2019.