FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

A tough-tackling right back, Paulo Ferreira was one of Jose Mourinho’s first signings from Porto after he became manager of Chelsea.
Like Mourinho, he has just won a league title for the fourth consecutive season, to add another piece of silverware to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup winner's medals captured with Porto.

Ferreira, who played in nine qualification matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, began his international career as part of the Portuguese squad at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship. At UEFA EURO 2004, he played in both the opening match and the final against Greece, losing his place in between.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

The coruscating runs of right-back Paulo Ferreira made him crucial to FC Porto's UEFA Champions League triumph in 2004 and he was José Mourinho's first purchase after moving to Chelsea FC.

Clubs
Having played in the Portuguese second division for GD Estoril Praia, Mourinho brought Paulo Ferreira to Porto in April 2002 after one season with Vitória FC. He justified that belief with a series of terrific displays as the club claimed a league and cup double and defeated Celtic FC in a brilliant UEFA Cup final. He was subsequently the unsung hero of Porto's 2003/04 UEFA Champions League success, playing every minute of the 13 matches as Mourinho's side claimed club football's greatest prize to add to another league title. He quickly followed Mourinho to Chelsea for a €20m fee, enjoying a fine first Premiership season as Chelsea romped to their first league title since 1955. A broken foot brought the campaign to a premature end but he was fit enough to win the title again in 2005/06.

National team
Having won 27 caps for Portugal's Under-21s, Paulo Ferreira made the step up to the senior side against England in September 2002 but he was dropped after the opening 2-1 defeat by Greece at UEFA EURO 2004™. He replaced the injured Miguel during the final against the same opponents, but could not prevent Portugal losing 1-0. He was also used sparingly at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, although he did come on as a substitute in the semi-final against France and played 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat by Germany in the third-place play-off.

Did you know?
He was voted into the uefa.com users' Team of 2003.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

One of the fittest players in Portuguese football, the coruscating runs up the right flank of defender 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.

National team
Having won 27 caps for the Portuguese Under-21 side, Paulo Ferreira made the step up to full honours in September 2002 in a match against England. After impressing coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, he remained in the fold for a series of friendly internationals ahead of the country's hosting of UEFA EURO 2004™. However, after starting the opening 2-1 defeat by Greece he was dropped in favour of Miguel. But Miguel's injury late in the first half of the final against the same opponents saw Paulo Ferreria return to action, but he could not stop Portugal losing 1-0.

Clubs
Having played in the Portuguese second division for GD Estoril Praia, Paulo Ferreira was in his early 20s when he finally moved up to the Portuguese Super Liga to join Vitória Setúbal for the 2001/02 season. He sparkled in his first season among the Portuguese élite, making 34 appearances for the Do Bonfim stadium outfit prior to a move to Porto in April 2002 - calling it "a great step in my career".

2002: Coach José Mourinho had enough faith in Paulo Ferreira to sign him on a four-year contract for a fee of €2m. The player justified that belief with a series of terrific displays domestically as Porto claimed a league and cup double. He also adapted superbly to the European stage, helping the Dragons defeat Celtic FC in a brilliant UEFA Cup final in Seville.

2003/04: Perhaps the unsung hero of Porto's success in the UEFA Champions League, Paulo Ferreira played every minute of the 13 matches as Mourinho's side defeated AS Monaco FC to win club football's greatest prize. Missed just two games as Porto retained the SuperLiga but missed out on more silverware as SL Benfica pipped the Dragons to the Portuguese Cup. When Mourinho moved to coach Chelsea, his first act was to take Paulo Ferreira with him for a €20m fee.

Did you know?
Paulo Renato Rebocho Ferreira was voted into the uefa.com users' Team of 2003 ahead of the likes of Míchel Salgado, Lilian Thuram and Javier Zanetti.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.