Otávio Profile, Stats and Career
Brazilian-born Portugal international, Porto legend, and one of the Saudi Pro League's most dynamic attacking midfielders.
Otávio is a 31-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder who plays for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. The right-footed number 25 brings technical quality, direct running, and creative output developed across a decade at FC Porto and two seasons at Al-Nassr. This profile covers his age, current club, career path, international history, and honours.
Born in Brazil and raised in football through Internacional, Otávio chose Portugal at senior international level after becoming a Portuguese citizen. He made over 200 appearances for FC Porto and won three Primeira Liga titles, before Al-Nassr activated a €60 million release clause in August 2023. His move to Al-Qadsiah in September 2025 continues his Saudi Pro League chapter.
Quick Answer
Otávio Edmilson da Silva Monteiro is a professional footballer born in João Pessoa, Brazil. He plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. Otávio represented Portugal at senior international level from 2021 to 2024, earning 21 caps. His contract with Al-Qadsiah runs until June 2027.
Early Life and Background
Otávio was born on 9 February 1995 in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. He joined Santa Cruz's youth system at age 11 before moving to Internacional in Porto Alegre, where he made his Série A debut at 17. Manager Dunga is credited with helping him develop physically and tactically during his time at Internacional.
Porto signed him as a free agent in September 2014 after Internacional ceded his federative rights, and he signed a five-year deal with a €50 million buyout clause. An initial two-year loan to Vitória SC gave him consistent Primeira Liga experience before he returned to Porto in 2016 as a first-team regular. From that point, his career at Porto became one of the most consistent and decorated of any foreign player in the league's modern era.
Birthplace, dual nationality, and youth football journey
Otávio's Brazilian roots and Portuguese footballing education make his career story unusual. He represented Brazil at under-20 level in 2014 before acquiring Portuguese citizenship through residency. His senior international switch to Portugal in 2021 came after almost seven years in the Primeira Liga, giving him the connection needed to play for the European nation.
His technical development at Porto under a series of demanding coaches turned him from a raw Brazilian talent into a refined and versatile attacking player. The ability to play wide right, as an attacking midfielder, or in a free role behind the striker became his defining quality.
Otávio Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Otávio Edmilson da Silva Monteiro |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 February 1995 |
| Age | 31 |
| Place of birth | João Pessoa, Brazil |
| Nationality | Portugal (also Brazilian-born) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 1.72 m |
| Weight | ~143 lbs / 65 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Al-Qadsiah |
| Jersey number | 25 |
Transfer News and Market Value
Otávio joined Al-Qadsiah from Al-Nassr in September 2025 on a two-year deal running until June 2027. Al-Nassr had signed him from Porto in August 2023 by activating his €60 million release clause, one of the largest fees paid for a Porto player at that time. His current market value is estimated between €9.6 million and €12 million.
The move from Al-Nassr to Al-Qadsiah came after two Saudi Pro League seasons with the Riyadh club, where he scored 11 goals and added 10 assists across all competitions. Al-Qadsiah signed him as a key creative figure for their 2025–26 Saudi Pro League campaign.
Otávio Club Career
Otávio made his Primeira Liga debut with Porto in August 2016 and went on to become one of the club's most consistent performers over seven seasons. He made over 200 official appearances for Porto, winning three Primeira Liga titles, two Taças de Portugal, and two Supertaças Cândido de Oliveira. The 2019–20 season, in which he scored two goals and featured in 48 matches to help Porto win the domestic double, earned him a place in the league's Best XI.
Porto named him to the Primeira Liga Best XI that season, recognising his combination of direct runs, high pass completion, and goal contributions from midfield. His style — receiving between lines, driving forward, and combining quickly in tight spaces — made him a key part of Porto's control-based attacking play.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2014 | Internacional | 62 | 7 | — |
| 2014–2023 (incl. loan) | FC Porto | 200+ | 25 | 40+ |
| 2023–2025 | Al-Nassr | 59 | 11 | 10 |
| 2025–present | Al-Qadsiah | 12+ | 0 | 1 |
2023–24 and 2024–25 Saudi Pro League (Al-Nassr)
| Season | Club | League Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 SPL | Al-Nassr | 29 | 10 | 5 |
| 2024–25 SPL | Al-Nassr | 28 | 1 | 5 |
International Career
Otávio represented Brazil at under-20 level in 2014 before switching allegiance to Portugal at senior level. He made his Portugal debut in 2021 and went on to earn 21 caps, scoring 3 goals. His international career included appearances at UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League.
His Portugal career covered the transition period following Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance, and Otávio brought direct, high-energy play from the right side of midfield. He was last called up for Portugal during 2024, after which his international involvement reduced following the Euro 2024 tournament.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 21 | 3 | UEFA Euro 2024; UEFA Nations League 2022–23 |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Primeira Liga | 3 | 2018, 2020, 2022 |
| Taça de Portugal | 2 | 2020, 2022 |
| Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | 2 | 2020, 2022 |
| Primeira Liga Best XI | 1 | 2020 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Otávio is a right-footed attacking midfielder who can operate wide right or centrally behind the striker. He combines quick one-touch passing with the ability to drive at defenders and create overloads in the final third. His best qualities are direct running, link-up play, and the ability to shoot from distance.
At Porto, he was known for his high-energy pressing and transition speed, making him a threat both in and out of possession. In the Saudi Pro League, he has used those same qualities in a system that allows him more freedom to combine with creative midfielders around him. His passing accuracy above 90% and consistent rating above 7.0 at Al-Nassr reflect a reliable and technically sound midfielder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Otávio's career combines the technical polish of Portuguese club football with the commercial scale of the Saudi Pro League. His decade at Porto built the foundation for a €60 million move to Al-Nassr, and his current role at Al-Qadsiah keeps him in one of the world's most competitive leagues at 31. Whether tracking his club stats or his Portugal caps, Otávio remains a midfielder with a clear and productive recent record.
