Paulo Sousa (footballer, born 1980) explained

Paulo Sousa (footballer, born 1980) should not be confused with Paulo Sousa.

Paulo Sousa
Fullname:Paulo Miguel Campos de Sousa
Birth Date:17 September 1980
Birth Place:Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Height:1.78 m
Position:Defensive midfielder
Youthyears1:1993–1999
Youthclubs1:Boavista
Years1:1999–2002
Caps1:39
Goals1:0
Years2:2002–2005
Caps2:89
Goals2:3
Years3:2006–2007
Caps3:24
Goals3:0
Years4:2007–2008
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Totalcaps:152
Totalgoals:3
Nationalyears1:1998
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1998–1999
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:0

Paulo Miguel Campos de Sousa (born 17 September 1980; pronounced as /pt/) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

A product of local Boavista FC's youth system, Sousa was born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto District, and played for its first team from January 2006 to June 2007, totalling 24 Primeira Liga appearances during his spell. He also represented C.D. Aves, G.D. Estoril Praia and C.D. Trofense (2007–08, featuring in no league games as the latter side achieved a first-ever promotion to the top flight and being released at the season's closure).

After two years without being able to find a club, Sousa retired from the game in the summer of 2010, aged only 29. His first match in the top division occurred on 4 February 2001, playing 85 minutes for Aves in a 0–0 away draw against S.C. Campomaiorense.