Player Profile: Paulo Ferreira

An immensely fit player, the coruscating runs of right-back Paulo Ferreira made him crucial to FC Porto’s UEFA Champions League triumph, and he was José Mourinho’s first purchase after moving to Chelsea FC.

Having played in the Portuguese second division for GD Estoril Praia, Paulo Ferreira moved up to the Portuguese Super Liga to join Vitória Setúbal ahead of the 2001/02 season. He sparkled in his first season among the Portuguese elite, winning a move to Porto in April 2002.

Paulo Ferreira justified Mourinho’s belief with a series of terrific domestic displays as Porto claimed a league and cup double and also adapted superbly to the European stage, helping the Dragons defeat Celtic FC in a brilliant UEFA Cup final in Seville. He was subsequently the unsung hero of Porto’s Champions League success, playing every minute of the 13 matches as Mourinho’s side defeated AS Monaco FC to win club football’s greatest prize. He missed just two games as Porto retained the SuperLiga title and quickly followed Mourinho to Chelsea for a €20m fee.

Ferreira enjoyed a fine first season in the Premiership, missing just nine games as Chelsea romped to their first league title since 1955. A broken foot suffered on international duty in March brought a premature end to his season and he missed the London side’s Champions League semi-final elimination by Liverpool FC.

Having won 27 caps for Portugal’s Under-21 side, Paulo Ferreira made the step up to full honors in September 2002 against England. After impressing Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, he remained in the fold for a series of friendly internationals but was dropped after the opening 2-1 defeat by Greece at Euro04. He replaced the injured Miguel in the first half of the final against the same opponents, but could not prevent Portugal losing 1-0. He has since fought for a place in the starting eleven.

source: uefa.com