Jean Mota Oliveira de Sousa (born 15 October 1993), known as Jean Mota (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒeˈɐ̃nˈmɔtɐ]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Super League club Persija Jakarta. Mainly an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a left back or a central midfielder.

Club career

Portuguesa

Born in São Paulo, Jean Mota was a Portuguesa youth graduate. He made his debut on 21 March 2012, coming on as a late substitute for Henrique in a 4–0 home routing of Cuiabá, for the season's Copa do Brasil.

On 28 May 2013, Jean Mota renewed his contract with Lusa, signing until 2015. He made his Série A debut on 8 June, again from the bench in a 0–0 draw against Corinthians.

Jean Mota appeared regularly for the club in the following campaign, being mostly deployed as a left back. He scored his first senior goal on 19 September, netting a last-minute equalizer in a 1–1 away draw against América-RN.

Fortaleza

On 16 September 2015 Jean Mota moved to Fortaleza, after being released by Portuguesa in May. He subsequently became an undisputed starter for the club in 2016, being an important unit during the Campeonato Cearense winning campaign.

Santos

Jean Mota in action for Santos in 2017

On 6 June 2016 Jean Mota signed a four-year deal with Santos. He was officially announced at the club three days later. He made his debut for Peixe on 26 June, coming on as a late substitute for goalscorer Lucas Lima in a 3–0 home win against São Paulo.

Jean Mota scored his first goal in the main category of Brazilian football on 24 July 2016, netting the winner in a 3–2 success at Vitória. He made his Copa Libertadores debut on 19 April of the following year, starting as a left back and being sent off in a 0–0 away draw against Independiente Santa Fe.

After the injuries of Zeca and Caju, Jean Mota established himself as a regular starter in the left back. On 18 July 2017, he renewed his contract until June 2022. He spent the 2018 campaign as a backup to new signing Dodô and behind midfield options Carlos Sánchez, Diego Pituca and Alison.

Jean Mota started the 2019 season as a starter in the midfield under new manager Jorge Sampaoli, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the first three months of competition. He was named the best player of the 2019 Campeonato Paulista, but subsequently lost his starting spot.

On 10 November 2020, it was announced that Jean Mota and a further six first team players tested positive for COVID-19. He left the club in December 2021, after playing 258 matches and scoring 20 goals.

Inter Miami

In November 2021, Santos agreed to a transfer of Jean Mota to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, effective as of the following 15 January. His new side officially announced the transfer on 12 December, with the player signing a contract until 2024.

In May 2023, Mota suffered a right knee injured which sidelined him for almost six months.

Vitória

Inter Miami CF transferred midfielder Jean Mota to Brazilian top-flight side Vitória on 5 March 2024.

Career statistics

As of 6 March 2024

ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Portuguesa2012Série A00001010
2013130701020230
2014Série B1812020221
2015Série C00811091
Total3111715020552
Fortaleza2015Série C003030
2016211534171286
Total211534100101316
Santos2016Série A232232
2017301503060441
20182021203070422
201927115772205110
2020281602071432
20212329160110493
Total151947821233125220
Inter Miami2022Major League Soccer3322110363
202313020150
20242020
Total4824110533
Career total23213791234435111139131

Honours

Portuguesa

Fortaleza

Inter Miami

Individual

External links

  • (in Portuguese)
  • at Sambafoot ()