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Former FC Porto defender José Carlos scored 25 goals in 101 matches for the club, a mark that stood until later surpassed by Alex Telles and Marcano, according to an interview published by A Bola. Today, the retired player lives in Rio de Janeiro and works in metal recycling, cutting up abandoned railway cars.
Scoring and Set-Piece Tactics
During his career with the Portuguese club, José Carlos relied heavily on set-piece execution and aerial ability to build his scoring tally. He scored 25 goals across 101 appearances, a mark that eventually fell to defenders Alex Telles and Marcano. “I was very good at free kicks and took advantage of that to score many goals, besides the aerial game, where I had ease,” he told A Bola. He also noted a prolific record from the penalty spot during his time at Gil Vicente.
While expressing happiness that later FC Porto defenders surpassed his milestone—viewing it as proof of squad evolution—he admitted to A Bola that losing the title of the club’s most prolific scoring central defender brought a brief pang of disappointment.
Modern Football Evolution and Set-Piece Emphasis
The former central defender argues that scoring goals is significantly easier for modern center-backs than during his playing days. In his era, central defenders only ventured into the opposing penalty area during corner kicks. Today, teams drill every tactical phase, with entire squads pushing forward during free kicks. He pointed to Arsenal as a prominent example of a club mastering set pieces, contrasting it with FC Porto during his career, when clubs spent very little time training those specific situations.
Squad Assessment and Life After Football
Asked to identify a modern counterpart in the current FC Porto squad, José Carlos admitted he has largely stopped following football after stepping away from the sport roughly six years ago. When informed that Otávio transferred to Paris FC in the summer for €17 million, José Carlos remarked that it was a good business deal for the club.
Originally from Goiás, José Carlos returned to Brazil and settled in Rio de Janeiro following his spell in Portugal. He now works in the scrap metal and recycling industry. At the time of the interview with A Bola, he was actively cutting up abandoned old railway trains, focusing entirely on the trade of iron and steel. Reflecting on his transition away from sports, he stated simply that life moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did José Carlos score for FC Porto?
He scored 25 goals in 101 matches for the club, a mark that was later surpassed by Alex Telles and Marcano, as reported by A Bola.
Which current player did José Carlos highlight from the FC Porto setup?
He pointed to Bednarek as a solid performer and a good leader, while also recalling Otávio from when they crossed paths in the Flamengo youth base.
What is José Carlos’s profession today?
He works in the scrap metal and recycling industry in Rio de Janeiro, spending his time cutting up abandoned railway cars and dealing in iron and steel after stepping away from football roughly six years ago.
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