From German roots to European glory with the Portuguese national team
In short: Born in Germany to Portuguese parents, Cédric Soares has navigated a diverse footballing journey. From the youth academy of Sporting CP to winning Euro 2016, his career has spanned top-tier leagues in Portugal, England, Italy, and Brazil, proving his versatility across Europe's most competitive footballing landscapes.
Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares, known simply as Cédric, began his professional journey in Portugal. After joining Sporting CP's youth system at age seven in 1998, he made his Primeira Liga debut on 8 May 2011. His early career was marked by significant milestones, including a loan spell at Académica where he won the Taça de Portugal, and a notable 30-metre goal for Sporting in December 2012. He first appeared for the senior national team in October 2014 during a friendly match in Paris. Additionally, he was part of the Portuguese under-20 squad that finished as runners-up at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
His international career reached a pinnacle during UEFA Euro 2016. Selected by manager Fernando Santos, Cédric played a key role in Portugal's tournament victory over the host nation, France. He has also represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he scored his first international goal against Mexico. During the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, he found the net in a group stage draw against Mexico. Portugal also selected him for their initial 55-man roster ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In the English Premier League, Cédric has been a frequent presence. He joined Southampton in 2015 for a fee of up to €6.5 million, later moving to Arsenal in 2020. His time in London included a loan to Fulham in 2023 and a feature in the Amazon Original docuseries 'All or Nothing: Arsenal'. After a period without professional activity starting in March 2024, he signed with the Brazilian club São Paulo in early 2025. His tenure in England also included a brief loan spell with Inter Milan in 2019. He eventually moved to the Brazilian side São Paulo in early 2025.
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