Carlos Alberto Correia Fortes (born 20 October 1968), commonly known as Cao, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

Cao

Personal information
Full name	Carlos Alberto Correia Fortes
Date of birth	(1968-10-20) 20 October 1968 (age 55)
Place of birth	Praia, Cape Verde
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1988–1990	Porto
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–1991	Porto	0	(0)
1991–1992	Rio Ave	22	(0)
1992–1993	Tirsense	2	(0)
1993–1997	Leça	114	(7)
1997–1999	Salgueiros	59	(1)
1999–2002	Campomaiorense	59	(2)
2002–2003	Felgueiras	28	(1)
2004–2005	Leça
2005–2006	Rio Tinto
2008–2009	Salgueiros 08	9	(0)
Total		293	(11)
International career
1990–1991	Portugal U20	6	(0)
1992	Portugal U21	3	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal FIFA U-20 World Cup Winner 1991 Portugal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Close

Cao was born in Praia, Cape Verde. After unsuccessfully emerging through FC Porto's youth academy he went on to play 12 seasons in the two major levels of Portuguese football, representing Rio Ave FC (second division), F.C. Tirsense (Primeira Liga), Leça FC (first and second tiers), S.C. Salgueiros (both), S.C. Campomaiorense (both) and F.C. Felgueiras (second).

He retired from professional football in 2003 with totals of 284 matches and 11 goals, going on to spend the rest of his career in amateur football, which included a third spell with Leça. Subsequently, he worked as a graphic designer.^[1]

Cao was part of the Portuguese under-20 team that won the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship, with the competition being held on home soil.^[2] In 2002 it was revealed that he had in fact been born in 1968, meaning he was crowned Youth World Champion at the age of 22.^[1][3]