Rui Barros

Early years and Porto

Born in Paredes, Porto District, Barros began his senior career with Covilhã in the Segunda Liga. He helped Varzim gain promotion to the Primeira Liga in his second season as a professional. Barros signed with Porto for 1987–88, 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 Ajax and the Intercontinental Cup against Peñarol (he also scored in the first leg of the Super Cup final). As a result, he was voted Portuguese Footballer of the Year.

Abroad

Barros joined Italian side Juventus in the summer of 1988, where he chose to wear the number 8 shirt, turning down the opportunity to wear the prestigious number 10 shirt, which had previously belonged to the recently retired Michel Platini, whose role he had inherited at the Turin club. During his two-year tenure, he scored 19 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions and helped to a Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup double in 1990. Subsequently, Barros moved to Monaco, originally for one year (eventually three). During his spell, he notably lost the final of the 1991–92 European Cup Winners' Cup to Werder Bremen. In the 1993 off-season, Barros signed with another team in France, Marseille, teaming up with compatriot Paulo Futre – who left Porto for Atlético Madrid precisely the year he arrived. The former contributed in helping…

Whilst at Varzim, Barros was noticed by the Portugal national team, and made his senior debut on 29 March 1987 in a 2–2 draw against minnows Malta for the UEFA Euro 1988 qualifiers, playing the second half of the match held in Funchal, Madeira. During his time with Juventus he was already a leading player, although he was unable to help his country qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup to be held in Italy. Barros was overlooked for the squad picked by manager António Oliveira for Euro 1996 in England. His last cap came on 14 December 1996 in a 0–0 draw with Germany in the 1998 World Cup qualifying phase, in Lisbon.

A dynamic and hard-working team player, Barros was a diminutive attacking midfielder who was known in particular for his speed, stamina and technical ability, which allowed him to excel in Juventus' counter-attacking style of play under manager Dino Zoff. Tactically versatile, he was capable of playing in several offensive midfield and attacking positions.

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Barros goal.