Rui Barros

Rui Gil Soares de Barros (born 24 November 1965) is a former Portuguese professional footballer.

A diminutive attacking midfielder, he played with success in Portugal (at Porto), Italy – at Juventus – and France (two clubs), later becoming an assistant manager.

Over the course of eight seasons Barros amassed Primeira Liga totals of 191 games and 43 goals, all with Porto.

Football career

Early years

Born in Paredes, Barros began his senior career with S.C. Covilhã in the second division, helping Varzim S.C. promote to the top flight in his second season as a professional.

Whilst at Varzim he was noticed by the Portuguese national team, and made his debut on 29 March 1987, in a 2–2 draw against minnows Malta for the UEFA Euro 1988 qualifiers, in Funchal, Madeira; he played the second half of the match.

Porto

The following campaign Barros signed with FC Porto, immediately having an impact: 12 goals in the league, which ended with the championship conquest, also being essential as the northerners began the campaign with two major achievements, the European Super Cup against AFC Ajax and the Intercontinental Cup against C.A. Peñarol; at the season's closure, the player was considered the Portuguese Footballer of the Year.