José Barroso (footballer)

José Alberto da Mota Barroso (born 26 August 1970) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He also was a manager.

Over 14 seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 328 matches and 55 goals, mainly in representation of Braga (eleven years).

Club career
Barroso was born in Braga. Armed with a powerful outside shot, he made his professional debut with hometown's S.C. Braga during the 1990–91 season, playing four games in the Primeira Liga. After a successful loan also in the north, with Segunda Liga club Rio Ave FC, he returned, becoming an essential midfield element for the Minho side as well as their captain; in his last two years, although they finished tenth and eighth respectively, he scored a total of 14 league goals, mostly from long-range shots and/or free kicks.

Barroso then signed for FC Porto, winning two consecutive leagues although he would only be a fringe player in his second season, featuring in just nine matches out of 34. After one year with Académica de Coimbra he returned to Braga, now consolidated in the Portuguese top flight; he netted 13 times in his first two seasons, then added a career-best 12 goals in the 2002–03 campaign but the team could only rank in 14th place.

Barroso retired from football in summer 2005 at nearly 35, after helping Braga to two consecutive UEFA Cup qualifications, even though he contributed sparingly due to injuries.

International career
Barroso won his sole cap for Portugal on 26 January 1995, as an 89th-minute substitute for Ricardo Sá Pinto in a 1–1 draw against Canada in the SkyDome Cup.

Honours
Porto
 * Primeira Liga: 1996–97, 1997–98
 * Taça de Portugal: 1997–98
 * Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1996