
Cédric Soares
PortugalAlso known as: Cédric
Birthday
August 31, 1991
Birth Sign
Virgo
Birthplace
Singen, Germany
Age
35 years old
Height
5 ft 7 in (171 cm)
About
Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares CvIH ComM is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right-back. Born in Singen, Germany, to Portuguese parents on 31 August 1991, he chose to represent Portugal internationally, becoming a European champion with the national team in 2016 and later playing in the 2018 World Cup. Known for his reliability, attacking instincts from full-back, and professionalism, Cédric has enjoyed a career spanning Portugal, England, Italy, and Brazil. He is a Nike-sponsored athlete.
After coming through the Sporting CP academy for 17 years, he made his senior breakthrough in Lisbon. He then moved to the Premier League with Southampton in 2015, followed by a loan at Inter Milan in 2019. In January 2020, he joined Arsenal, where he worked under Mikel Arteta, who Cédric stated "changed the way I see football." During his time at Arsenal, he won the FA Cup in 2020 and the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023. Following a loan to Fulham in early 2023 and his departure from Arsenal in 2024, he signed with São Paulo in June 2025, bringing his extensive European experience to South American football.
As of 2026, Cédric continues to play for São Paulo in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, wearing the number 21 shirt. His social media celebrates his career highlights, including the Euro 2016 triumph and his professional endorsements. He is 1.71 metres tall.
Early Life & Background
Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares was born on 31 August 1991 in Singen, Germany, to Portuguese parents. He moved to Portugal as a child and grew up in Lisbon. His football journey began at Sporting CP's famed youth academy at a young age, where he spent 17 formative years developing his technical skills and tactical understanding, particularly as an attacking full-back. This extensive period at the academy shaped him into one of Portugal's most promising defensive prospects.
He progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to Sporting CP's senior squad in 2010. Over the next four Primeira Liga seasons, Cédric became a regular starter, making 93 competitive appearances and scoring two goals. His performances earned him recognition within Portugal, leading to his first senior international call-up in 2014. He also won the Taça de Portugal with Sporting CP in 2015 before his move to England.
Career Growth
Cédric's move to Southampton in 2015 marked his transition to the Premier League, where he became a regular starter for the Saints, showcasing his ability against top English sides. A brief loan spell at Inter Milan in 2019 provided him with Serie A experience. On 31 January 2020, Arsenal completed the signing of Cédric on loan, a move that was later made permanent. Under manager Mikel Arteta, Cédric won the FA Cup in 2020 and the FA Community Shield in 2020 and 2023.
After limited game time in the 2022-23 season, he joined Fulham on loan in January 2023, reuniting with former manager Marco Silva. He made only two substitute appearances for Arsenal that season before the loan. Cédric's contract with Arsenal expired, and he left the club in 2024. After spending time as a free agent, he was reported to be living in Lisbon in January 2025. In June 2025, Cédric signed with São Paulo, bringing his European experience to Brazilian football and taking the squad number 21.
Internationally, Cédric made his Portugal debut in 2014 and was a key part of the squad that achieved a historic triumph by winning Euro 2016. He also represented Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His contributions to the national team's success have earned him Portuguese state honours.
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Cédric Soares is perceived as a dependable, technically sound right-back who has performed consistently across Europe's top leagues. His playing style is characterised by attacking runs down the right flank, solid defensive positioning, and professional consistency. Media portrayals highlight his adaptability, having played in Portugal, England, Italy, and Brazil. His public image is low-key and career-focused, without significant controversy or tabloid attention.
His social media presence, particularly on Instagram, reflects a straightforward, professional persona. He uses these platforms to celebrate his career achievements, such as winning Euro 2016 with Portugal, and to professionally represent his sponsors, notably Nike.
Fame & Fandom
Cédric Soares commands a steady, global presence defined by his status as a European champion and a veteran of multiple top-tier leagues. His public profile remains consistent across the footballing world, reflecting a career marked by reliability rather than fleeting viral fame. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he is currently the 86th most famous person in Portugal, a position holding steady from the previous cycle. Furthermore, regarding his place of origin, data indicates he stands as the 53rd most famous person from Portugal, also holding steady. These placements are derived from comprehensive tracking of media coverage and consumption signals worldwide, confirming his enduring relevance within his home nation and among the Portuguese diaspora. While his international recognition is significant, it does not extend to the stratospheric levels of global superstars who dominate headlines daily. Regarding his supporters, no formal or widely recognized fandom name exists for Cédric Soares. Unlike pop icons with organized movements, his following consists of general supporter groups from his respective clubs and national team fans. There are no documented instances of fan-funded projects, specific rituals, or viral campaigns dedicated solely to his person. His social media presence, which includes approximately 792,000 followers on Instagram, represents a standard digital footprint for a professional athlete rather than an organized cult of personality. The narrative surrounding his career is one of steady adaptation and professional consistency, anchored by his 2016 European Championship victory.
Interesting Facts and Legends
Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares CvIH ComM was born in Singen, Germany, yet chose to represent Portugal internationally, joining a select group of Portuguese internationals born outside the country. He spent seventeen years developing within the Sporting CP academy in Lisbon before making his senior breakthrough in the city. His professional journey has taken him to four distinct countries: Portugal, England, Italy, and Brazil. For his contributions to the national team's success, particularly the Euro 2016 triumph, he holds two Portuguese state decorations: the Medal of Merit (CvIH) and Commander of the Order of Christ (ComM). As of 2026, his market value is listed at €500,000. A defining moment in his career narrative involves his return to Arsenal after a loan spell at Fulham, where he had made only two starts. Another notable chapter concerns his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta; an interview revealed that Arteta significantly altered his perspective on the game. His career path also includes a permanent move to São Paulo Futebol Clube in Brazil in 2024, continuing his trajectory through diverse tactical systems. While he lacks the folklore of crowds shutting down streets for his arrival, his inclusion in the historic 2016 squad remains his primary claim to legendary status among supporters.
Notable Quotes
“Mikel Arteta changed the way I see football.”
Family & Personal Life
Cédric Soares was born in Singen, Germany, to Portuguese parents. Specific details about his education, siblings, or parents' names are not widely publicised, as he maintains a relatively private personal life. Public attention is focused primarily on his professional career, and information regarding his family outside of his parents is not readily available.
Notable Connections
Relationships & Dating History
Cédric Soares has maintained a high degree of privacy regarding his personal life, and information about his romantic relationships is extremely limited. There are no confirmed public relationships, marriages, or children reported by credible sources. Unlike many high-profile footballers, Cédric has largely kept his private life out of the public eye, and he has not been publicly linked to any high-profile partners in the media.
As of 2026, his relationship status is not publicly documented. His social media presence focuses exclusively on his football career, including his role at São Paulo and his past achievements with the Portuguese national team, such as the Euro 2016 victory.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$10 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
iFANN currently estimates Cédric Soares' net worth at $10 Million. This figure reflects substantial earnings accumulated throughout his professional career, anchored by lucrative contracts in the Premier League with Southampton and Arsenal, where established full-backs typically earned between £50,000 and £80,000 per week during his tenure. Additional income streams include his loan spell at Inter Milan, international bonuses from the Portugal national team, and prize money secured from tournaments like Euro 2016. His current contract with São Paulo contributes further to this financial standing. He also benefits from endorsement deals, notably as a Nike-sponsored athlete. These combined revenue sources have solidified his wealth without reliance on singular windfalls, demonstrating a consistent financial trajectory across different leagues and markets.
Awards Won (5)
Cédric Soares won the UEFA European Championship with Portugal in 2016, the FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal, and the Taça de Portugal with Sporting CP. He also received Portuguese state honours for his international success.
2016 · Winner
Portugal national team
2020 · Winner
Arsenal
Known For
Euro 2016 Winner with Portugal
2016 · Right-back
Arsenal
2020-2024 · Right-back
Southampton
2015-2020 · Right-back
Keywords
Sources
Quick Facts
- Profession
- Association football player
- Born
- August 31, 1991
- Birthplace
- Singen, Germany
- Height
- 5 ft 7 in (171 cm)
- Position
- Right-back
- National Team
- Portugal
- Current Club
- São Paulo
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares
- Height
- 5 ft 7 in (171 cm)
Frequently Asked Questions
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