Key Points
- Real Madrid and Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has lavished praise on 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur left-back Souza, who is currently on a season-long loan at FC Porto.
- Speaking at the “Portugal Football Summit,” Roberto Carlos insisted that Souza is a “top-level player” who will deliver on the pitch despite having not yet made his competitive debut for the Portuguese champions.
- Souza joined Tottenham from Brazilian side Santos in January in a £13 million deal.
- Former Spurs manager Thomas Frank previously described Souza as “one of the brightest left-back talents in the world.”
- FC Porto secured Souza on loan on August 31 to help strengthen their options at full-back for the 2026/27 campaign.
- Despite being an unused substitute in four consecutive matches for Porto, Souza could make his first appearance in an upcoming friendly against Deportivo La Coruña.
Tottenham (North London News) October 2, 2026 – Real Madrid and Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has backed Tottenham Hotspur left-back Souza to deliver on the biggest stage following his season-long loan move to FC Porto.
As reported by O Jogo and featured by sportswriter Mark White of LiveScore, the 53-year-old World Cup winner addressed media representatives in the mixed zone at the “Portugal Football Summit”. When asked about his compatriot’s arrival at the Estádio do Dragão, Roberto Carlos stated:
“I don’t like to make comparisons. He [Souza] came to Porto because he has quality. He’s a player who played extremely well at Santos; it was a great signing. I’m absolutely certain that he will deliver what is expected of him on the field; he’s a top-level player.”
What did Roberto Carlos say about Tottenham’s Souza?
Speaking directly to journalists at the summit in Portugal, Roberto Carlos emphasized that Souza’s prior experience in Brazil’s top flight justifies the high expectations surrounding him. As reported by OneFootball, Carlos stressed that Souza’s individual talent underpins FC Porto’s decision to bring him into their squad for the 2026/27 season.
Souza, 20, joined Tottenham Hotspur in January 2026 from Santos in a deal worth £13 million. At the time of the transfer, former Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank praised the acquisition, stating that the north London club believed they had “bought one of the brightest left-back talents in the world who can give us something now but also for the future.”
Despite the high profile of his mid-season arrival in North London, Souza found first-team minutes hard to come by in the Premier League. On 31 August 2026, Tottenham agreed a season-long loan agreement with FC Porto to allow the young defender to continue his tactical development in the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Why has Souza not played for FC Porto yet?
According to details reported by Spurs Dragon on To The Lane And Back, Souza is still waiting to make his official competitive debut under FC Porto head coach Francesco Farioli. The Brazilian defender has been an unused substitute across four consecutive matches against Moreirense, Manchester City, Casa Pia, and Benfica.
Porto have enjoyed a perfect start to their domestic title defense, winning their opening seven Primeira Liga matches. Consequently, Farioli has maintained consistency in his defensive line. However, as noted by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Souza is in line to feature in an upcoming friendly fixture against Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña, offering the 20-year-old his first opportunity to demonstrate his readiness for regular selection.
Upon completing his loan move to Portugal, Souza told FC Porto TV:
“Joining FC Porto is a dream come true. It’s a giant club that always fights for titles and always wants more. It’s a club with a great tradition of Brazilian players, and it’s very rewarding to be here.”
Background of the particular development
The signing of Souza by Tottenham Hotspur in January 2026 represented part of a broader recruitment strategy aimed at acquiring South America’s top young prospects. Having developed through the youth ranks at Santos—the same academy that produced Neymar and Pelé—Souza established himself as a starting left-back before turning 19.
When Tottenham completed the £13 million transfer, the club sought long-term cover and competition for standard left-back options. However, owing to tactical demands and squad depth during the latter half of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Souza’s game time remained limited.
Recognising the necessity for regular competitive action, Tottenham’s technical hierarchy sanctioned a temporary move to FC Porto ahead of the August deadline. FC Porto, renowned for developing South American talent before integrating them into elite European football, represented a suitable environment for Souza to gain exposure to domestic league titles and European competition.
Prediction: How this development can affect Tottenham Hotspur and FC Porto fans
For Tottenham Hotspur supporters, public endorsement from an icon such as Roberto Carlos provides reassurance regarding the club’s long-term investment. If Souza secures regular playing time under Francesco Farioli at FC Porto, his tactical adaptiveness and physical maturity are likely to increase significantly ahead of his return to North London in June 2027. A successful loan spell in Portugal could save Tottenham substantial transfer expenditure in future windows by providing a ready-made, top-tier solution at left-back.
For FC Porto supporters, Roberto Carlos’s assessment reinforces confidence in the club’s transfer market activity. With Porto competing on multiple fronts—including the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League—having a high-potential full-back available for rotation will add depth to Farioli’s squad. Once integrated into matchday action, Souza’s attacking capabilities from full-back could offer Porto an extra dimension in wide areas throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
