Nuno Miguel Valente Santos (born 2 March 1999) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South African Premiership club Mamelodi Sundowns.
Born in Porto, Santos was a youth player at his city's two major teams, Boavista F.C. and FC Porto, before joining S.L. Benfica in 2012. He made his debut for the reserve team in LigaPro on 8 August 2017 as the season opened with a 2âÂÂ1 away loss against U.D. Oliveirense, and scored his first goal the following 6 January at the end of a 3âÂÂ1 defeat at FC Porto B. In 2018âÂÂ19 he scored a career-best seven goals (adding five in seven matches in the UEFA Youth League), subsequently renewing his contract until 2024.
By then captain of Benfica B, Santos was loaned to Primeira Liga club Moreirense F.C. on 29 January 2020. He made his top-flight debut four days later by starting in a 5âÂÂ1 away victory over Gil Vicente FC. His first goal at the level came on 11 July to win the game at B-SAD.
Santos continued to be loaned the following two seasons, to Boavista and F.C. Paços de Ferreira. On 19 November 2021, while in service of the latter side, he put his team ahead against his parent club in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal, but in a 4âÂÂ1 loss.
On 5 August 2022, Santos signed a two-year deal with Charlotte FC. He scored his only Major League Soccer goal on 17 September in the 3âÂÂ2 away defeat of Chicago Fire FC, and also spent time with the reserve team Crown Legacy FC.
Santos returned to Portugal in July 2023, joining top-flight Vitória S.C. on a four-year contract. On 27 October 2024, his 43rd-minute first-time shot from near the penalty arc helped his side to earn a 2âÂÂ2 draw at C.F. Estrela da Amadora, and was later voted Goal of the Month for September/October.
During his tenure at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Santos totalled 90 games, eight goals and 14 assists.
On 23 September 2025, Santos moved to Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. of the South African Premiership.
Santos was part of Hélio Sousa's Portugal under-19 team that won the 2018 UEFA European Championship in Finland. He made three substitute appearances in the tournament, including one in extra time of the final.
On 5 September 2019, Santos earned his first cap for the under-21s, in a 4âÂÂ0 home defeat of Gibraltar in the 2021 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.
Benfica
Portugal