Rúben Neves is a Portuguese footballer who began his professional career at Porto in 2014. He is best known for his record-breaking tenure at the EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he served as club captain. The midfielder moved to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in 2023 for a reported fee of £47 million.
Rúben Neves began his professional career on 15 August 2014, marking his Primeira Liga debut for Porto at seventeen years and five months old. By scoring in that match against Marítimo, he established himself as the youngest player in the history of the club to find the net in the domestic top-flight competition.
Early Career at Porto
Born in Mozelos in 1997, Neves joined the Porto youth system at age eight. After a loan spell at Padroense, he transitioned to the reserve team before his promotion to the main squad under Julen Lopetegui. Within days of his league debut, he appeared in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing the record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo as the youngest Portuguese player to compete in the tournament. In October 2015, he became the youngest player to start as captain in the Champions League during a match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
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Take the IQ test →Transition to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Neves moved to the EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on 8 July 2017 for a reported fee of £15.8 million, setting a club and league record. His first season resulted in promotion to the Premier League as champions, with Neves contributing six goals from outside the box in 42 appearances. He secured three club awards that season: Player of the Season, Player's Player of the Season, and Goal of the Season. He served as the club captain full-time during the 2022–23 season following the departure of Conor Coady.
Record-Setting Performance in England
During his tenure in England, Neves reached significant milestones, including his 50th appearance in October 2018 and his 200th competitive appearance for the club in February 2022. On his 25th birthday in 2022, he assisted the decisive goal in a victory over Everton, which marked the club's 1,000th top-flight win since 1888. By the end of his time with the club, he had accumulated 253 appearances and scored 30 goals.
Move to Al-Hilal
In June 2023, after expressing an interest in competing in the Champions League, Neves departed Wolverhampton Wanderers. He subsequently signed with the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for a transfer fee reported to be £47 million.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 March 1997, Mozelos, Portugal
- Professional debut: 15 August 2014
- Porto record: Youngest club goalscorer in Primeira Liga
- Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer fee: £15.8 million
- Al-Hilal transfer fee: £47 million
- Total appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers: 253
- Total goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers: 30
Questions readers ask
Which clubs has Rúben Neves played for professionally?
He has played for Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Al-Hilal.
What record did Rúben Neves set in the UEFA Champions League?
In 2014, he became the youngest Portuguese player to appear in the tournament, and in 2015, he became the youngest player to start a Champions League match as captain.
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