Souza (footballer, born 2006)

João Victor de Souza Menezes (born 16 June 2006), commonly known as Souza, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a left-back for Santos.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is de Souza and the second or paternal family name is Menezes.

Souza

Personal information
Full name	João Victor de Souza Menezes
Date of birth	(2006-06-16) 16 June 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth	Mauá, Brazil
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Santos
Number	33
Youth career
	Juventus-SP (futsal)
2016–	Santos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Santos	7	(0)
International career
2023	Brazil U17	12	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:20, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Mauá, São Paulo, Souza joined Santos' youth setup in 2016, aged nine, after playing for the futsal team of Juventus-SP.^[1] On 12 July 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club, after agreeing to a three-year deal.^[2]

On 6 February 2024, Souza was registered in the first team squad for the 2024 Campeonato Paulista, after Kevyson's injury.^[3] He made his first team debut five days later, coming on as a second-half substitute for goalscorer Hayner in a 2–2 away draw against Mirassol.^[4][5]

International career

In September 2022, Souza was called up to the Brazil national under-17 team for a training period aiming the 2023 South American U-17 Championship,^[6] which he was included in the 23-man squad on 8 March 2023.^[7] A regular starter as the nation lifted the trophy, he was also called up to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup,^[8] playing in four of Brazil's five matches in the competition.

On 17 May 2024, Souza and Santos teammates JP Chermont and Jair were called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of trainings.^[9]

Career statistics

As of 16 September 2024.^[10]

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Santos	2024	Série B	6	0	1	0	—		—		—		7	0
Career total			6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0

Honours

Brazil U17

• South American U-17 Championship: 2023

References

1. "Lateral Souza e atacante João Victor são observados por Carille após Copinha" [Full-back Souza and forward João Victor are watched by Carille after the Copinha] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
2. "Santos assina primeiro contrato profissional com lateral esquerdo do time sub-17" [Santos sign first professional contract with left-back from the under-17 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
3. "Santos inscreve lateral-esquerdo Souza no Campeonato Paulista" [Santos register left-back Souza in the Campeonato Paulista] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
4. "Santos sofre gol no fim e empata com o Mirassol fora de casa" [Santos suffer goal in the end and draw with Mirassol away from home] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
5. "Na estreia no profissional, lateral de 17 anos do Santos sofre lesão muscular na coxa" [On his professional debut, Santos' 17-year-old full-back suffers muscular injury in his thigh] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
6. "Três atletas do Santos FC são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira sub-17" [Three Santos FC athletes are called up to the Brazil national under-17 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
7. "Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para o Sul-Americano sub-17" [Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the South American U-17 Championship] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
8. "Lateral do Santos é convocado para a Copa do Mundo Sub-17" [Santos full-back is called up to the U-17 World Cup] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
9. "Jair, Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20" [Jair, Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the Brazil national under-20 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
10. Souza at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2024.