Portuguese · Oporto, Portugal · Born 2 August 1969Commanding Portuguese centre-back who was a stalwart of the national team and Porto's successful era in the late 1990s.
Fernando Couto was born in Oporto, Portugal on 2 August 1969. A tall, physically imposing centre-back with excellent aerial ability, composure on the ball and superb reading of the game, Couto was one of the finest Portuguese defenders of his generation. He came through Farense before moves to Faro, Porto and then international attention. He joined Barcelona in 1996, winning La Liga. He moved to Lazio, where he was outstanding and helped them win their historic Serie A title in 2000. He returned to Porto later in his career, and also played for Parma and Matsumoto Yamaga in Japan. For Portugal he earned 110 caps — a national record at the time — and appeared at Euro 1996, the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and Euro 2000, where Portugal reached the semi-finals.
Captaining Portugal to the Euro 2004 final on home soil
He earned 110 caps for Portugal — a national record at the time of his retirement — and was part of the outstanding Portugal generation that included Figo, Rui Costa and Paulo Sousa.
Did You Know?How They Played
Strong, commanding centre-back with excellent aerial ability and leadership qualities
Lasting Impact
One of Portugal's greatest defenders and most capped players of his generation
Career Honours
- Serie A 2000 (Lazio)
- La Liga 1998 (Barcelona)
- Serie A 2000
- Copa del Rey 1998
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1997
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farense | 1988–1990 | — | 4 | #6 |
| Lazio | 1998–2000 | 58 | 6 | #6 |
| Chelsea | 2000–2001 | 49 | 4 | #6 |
| Porto | 1990–1994 | 99 | 8 | — |
| Parma | 1994–1995 | 29 | 1 | — |
| Barcelona | 1995–1998 | 90 | 8 | — |
 Portugal | — | 110 | 6 | — |
Portuguese Athletes