Rui Modesto
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Rui Manuel Muati Modesto (born 7 October 1999) is a footballer who plays as a winger for Italian Serie B club Palermo on loan from Udinese. Born in Portugal, he represents the Angola national team. Initially a defender in his native Portugal, Modesto moved to a more attacking role after moving to Finland.
Early career
Modesto was born in Vendas Novas and developed his football skills through various youth clubs in Afeiteira, Estrela Vendas Novas, Juventude Évora and Lusitano Évora.
Modesto made his senior debut with Estrela Vendas Novas first team in the 2017–18 season, playing in Portuguese third-tier Campeonato de Portugal.
Between 2018 and 2020, he played with Vitória Setubal U23 in Liga Revelação youth league.
Club career
Honka
On 17 September 2020, Modesto transferred to Honka in Finnish top-tier Veikkausliiga. Modesto represented Honka in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers in four games. In the 2022 season, he scored 7 goals and provided 12 assists in the league, and was awarded for the most assists of the season.
AIK
After a two-and-a-half season stint in Finland, Modesto was acquired by Allsvenskan club AIK in preparation for the 2023 season. He signed a three-year contract with the club, for a transfer fee of €500,000.
After his first season with AIK, Modesto was named The Player of the Season by the fans of the club. He finished the season scoring 7 goals in 34 matches, in all competitions combined.
Udinese
On 30 August 2024, AIK reached an agreement with Italian Serie A club Udinese for the immediate transfer of Modesto for €1.5 million fee. Modesto signed a four-year contract with Udinese.
Loan to Palermo
On 2 February 2026, Modesto was loaned by Palermo in Serie B, with a conditional obligation to buy.
International career
In June 2023, Modesto received his first call-up to Angola national team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Central African Republic, Madagascar and Ghana. However, he remained an unused substitute during these matches.
Modesto made his debut for the Angola national team on 12 September 2023, in a 4–0 friendly loss against Iran.
On 3 December 2025, Modesto was called up to the Angola squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Career statistics
Club
As of match playd 21 March 2026
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Estrela V.N. | 2017–18 | Campeonato de Portugal | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 0 | |
| Honka Akatemia | 2020 | Kakkonen | 3 | 0 | – | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Honka | 2020 | Veikkausliiga | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | Veikkausliiga | 21 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 31 | 3 | |
| 2022 | Veikkausliiga | 26 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | 31 | 8 | |
| Total | 50 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 65 | 11 | |
| AIK | 2023 | Allsvenskan | 29 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 34 | 7 | |
| 2024 | Allsvenskan | 20 | 6 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 25 | 9 | ||
| Total | 49 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 16 | |
| Udinese | 2024–25 | Serie A | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 0 | |
| 2025–26 | Serie A | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Total | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Palermo (loan) | 2025–26 | Serie B | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 156 | 21 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 182 | 28 |
International
As of 26 November 2023
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
Honours
FC Honka
- Finnish League Cup: 2022
Individual
- Veikkausliiga Player of the Month: July 2022
- Veikkausliiga Team of the Year: 2022
- Veikkausliiga Most Assists of the Season: 2022