Overview
Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares, commonly known as Cédric, is a Portuguese professional footballer who has established himself as a reliable right-back in European football. Born on 31 August 1991, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Cédric moved to Portugal at a young age and began his footballing journey there. His career has seen him compete in Portugal's Primeira Liga, England's Premier League, and Italy's Serie A, accumulating significant experience at the highest level of the sport. He is perhaps best known for his defensive consistency and ability to contribute in wide attacking areas, making overlapping runs and delivering crosses.
Position
Cédric primarily operates as a right-back. In this role, he is responsible for both defensive duties, such as marking opponents and preventing crosses, and offensive contributions, including supporting attacks down the flank. His positional awareness allows him to recover defensively, while his stamina enables him to maintain a high work rate throughout a match. He is adept at tracking back and slotting into a defensive line, providing structural balance to his team.
Identity
Cédric's identity as a footballer can be characterized as a modern full-back with a strong emphasis on defensive diligence combined with practical offensive output. He is not typically a player who relies on individual flair, but rather on tactical discipline, consistent delivery, and an understanding of his role within the team's system. His international success with Portugal, particularly winning UEFA Euro 2016, highlights his ability to perform under pressure in significant tournaments.
Career path
Cédric Soares' professional career began in Portugal, progressing through the ranks of Sporting CP's acclaimed youth academy. He joined Sporting CP at the age of 8, developing his skills within one of Europe's most consistent producers of talent.
Sporting CP
After a loan spell at Académica de Coimbra in the 2011–12 season, where he gained valuable first-team experience, Cédric returned to Sporting CP and made his senior debut for the club. He quickly established himself as the first-choice right-back, becoming a key player for the Lisbon giants. During his tenure at Sporting, he played in various domestic and European competitions, showcasing his defensive capabilities and growing attacking influence. He made over 90 appearances for Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga before his move abroad [Transfermarkt].
Southampton FC
In the summer of 2015, Cédric made a significant move to the Premier League, joining Southampton FC [Transfermarkt]. He quickly adapted to the physicality and pace of English football, becoming a regular starter for the Saints. His consistent performances earned him a reputation as one of the league's reliable full-backs. He remained at Southampton for several seasons, making over 100 Premier League appearances for the club [Transfermarkt].
Inter Milan (loan)
During the January 2019 transfer window, Cédric moved to Inter Milan on a six-month loan deal, seeking new challenges in Serie A [Transfermarkt]. While his time in Italy was relatively brief, it added another dimension to his European experience.
Arsenal FC
In January 2020, Cédric returned to the Premier League, joining Arsenal initially on loan, before making the move permanent later that year [Transfermarkt]. At Arsenal, he provided experienced cover and competition at right-back, contributing to the squad in domestic cup competitions and the Premier League. He also had a loan spell at Fulham during the second half of the 2022-23 season [Transfermarkt].
Playing style
Cédric Soares is characterized by a playing style that prioritizes defensive solidity coupled with effective contributions in the attacking third. As a right-back, his primary responsibilities involve neutralizing opposition wingers and full-backs, which he achieves through diligent marking, tactical positioning, and timely tackles.
His defensive attributes include strong tackling, as evidenced by his consistent tackle success rates throughout his career. He possesses good positional awareness, allowing him to cut off passing lanes and track runners effectively. While not exceptionally tall, Cédric demonstrates decent aerial ability for his position, particularly in defensive headers from crosses. His recovery pace is another key asset, enabling him to track back quickly and regain defensive shape after an attacking foray.
Offensively, Cédric is known for his overlapping runs and crossing ability. He often provides width on the right flank, creating space for central midfielders or wingers to operate in. His crosses, delivered from both deep and advanced positions, are generally accurate, aiming to find teammates in the box. While not a prolific goalscorer, he has contributed assists throughout his club career [FBref]. His passing range is solid, capable of short, incisive passes to maintain possession and longer balls to switch play or launch attacks.
Cédric's playing style can be compared to full-backs who combine defensive reliability with calculated offensive support, such as a more defensively-minded Branislav Ivanović during his Chelsea years, or perhaps even an early César Azpilicueta, known for his adaptability and defensive acumen. His ability to maintain a high work rate for 90 minutes makes him a valuable asset in systems that demand energetic full-backs.
Achievements & honours
Cédric Soares has enjoyed significant success throughout his career, both at club and international level. His most notable achievement came with the Portugal national team, securing a major international trophy.
International Honours
- UEFA European Championship: 2016 (Portugal) [UEFA]
Club Honours
Cédric has also collected domestic cup honours during his time in Portugal and England.
| Competition | Club | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Taça de Portugal | Sporting CP | 2014–15 |
| Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | Sporting CP | 2015 |
| FA Community Shield | Arsenal | 2020 |
These honours underscore his involvement in successful teams and his contribution to securing silverware across different leagues.
International career
Cédric Soares has represented Portugal at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. He earned his first cap for the Portugal national team on 11 October 2014, in a friendly match against France [FIFA]. This marked the beginning of a significant international career that saw him become a regular fixture in the squad.
His most prominent achievement with the national team was being part of the squad that won UEFA Euro 2016 in France. Cédric played a crucial role in the latter stages of the tournament, starting in the quarter-final, semi-final, and the historic final against hosts France [UEFA]. His performances at right-back were instrumental in Portugal's defensive solidity during their victorious campaign.
Following Euro 2016, Cédric continued to feature prominently for Portugal, including participation in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where Portugal finished third. He also earned a call-up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, although his playing time was more limited during that tournament [FIFA World Cup]. His solitary international goal came on 24 June 2017, against Mexico in the Confederations Cup.
Overall, Cédric has accumulated 34 caps for Portugal, playing an important role in one of the most successful periods in the nation's football history. He is a testament to the depth and quality of Portuguese talent in defensive positions.
What makes Cédric Soares stand out
Cédric Soares stands out primarily for his consistent reliability and tactical intelligence as a full-back. Unlike many modern full-backs who are primarily attacking threats, Cédric offers a balanced profile, ensuring defensive duties are met before venturing forward. His experience across multiple top European leagues and international competitions has honed his decision-making and ability to perform under pressure.
One distinctive trait is his ability to adapt to different tactical systems. Whether playing in a back four that emphasizes overlapping runs or a more reserved role, he demonstrates an understanding of what is required. His defensive positioning and commitment to tracking back are always evident, ensuring that his flank is rarely exposed. Furthermore, his crossing technique, particularly from deeper positions, provides a valuable offensive outlet for his teams.
"Cédric is a very reliable player. He understands the game well and gives you consistency on the right side, both defensively and in attack." – Editorial summation