Heriberto Moreno Borges Tavares (; born 19 February 1997), also known as Heri Tavares, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Liga I club Universitatea Craiova. Born in Portugal, he plays for the Cape Verde national team.
Club career Benfica Born in Amadora, Lisbon metropolitan area of Cape Verdean descent, Tavares played youth football with three clubs in the country's capital, including Sporting CP from ages 10 to 18. He made his senior debut with S.L. Benfica's reserves on 6 August 2016, featuring 71 minutes in the 1–1 LigaPro home draw against C.D. Cova da Piedade.
Tavares scored a career-best 14 goals in the 2017–18 season, but the B team could only finish in 13th position. Highlights included braces in home victories over Varzim SC (2–1), Real Massamá (3–0) and C.F. União (2–1).
On 25 July 2018, Tavares was loaned to Moreirense FC. He played his first match in the Primeira Liga on 12 August, scoring in a 1–3 home loss to Sporting and also committing a penalty which resulted in the opposition's second goal. He repeated the feat the following round, helping to a 2–1 away defeat of C.D. Nacional.
For the 2019–20 campaign, Tavares signed with Boavista F.C. also on loan.
Brest Tavares moved to the French Ligue 1 on 2 August 2020, signing a four-year contract with Stade Brestois 29 on a free transfer. He made his league debut 21 days later, playing 22 minutes in the 4–0 loss at Nîmes Olympique.
Famalicão On 11 January 2021, Tavares was loaned to F.C. Famalicão until 30 June. He was bought outright in July, fracturing his left foot in December and being sidelined for three months.
On 31 August 2022, Tavares was loaned to Spanish side SD Ponferradina for one year.
Estoril Tavares returned to Portugal and its top division in July 2023, on a three-year deal at G.D. Estoril Praia. He totalled 41 games and four goals in his only season, his first in the league coming on 10 December to close the 4–0 home win over G.D. Chaves.
Later career On 6 July 2024, Tavares agreed to a contract at Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Netanya FC. Estoril remained entitled to a percentage on a future transfer.
International career Portugal Across all youth levels, Tavares won 20 caps for Portugal and scored seven goals. He made his under-21 debut on 14 November 2017, coming on as a second-half substitute for Diogo Jota in a 2–1 home win against Switzerland for the 2019 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. The following 11 October, in the same stage, he netted four times in the 9–0 demolition of Liechtenstein.
Cape Verde Tavares was called up to the Cape Verde national team for a set of friendlies on 20 May 2025. He made his debut nine days later, in a 1–1 draw with Malaysia. On 3 June, against the same opposition and also in Kuala Lumpur, he closed the 3–0 win.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBenfica B2016–17LigaPro4111————41112017–183714————3714Total7825————7825Moreirense (loan)2018–19Primeira Liga3263110——367Boavista (loan)2019–20Primeira Liga2841010——304Brest2020–21Ligue 140————40Famalicão (loan)2020–21Primeira Liga172————172Famalicão2021–221612111——1932022–2340————40Total3732111——405Ponferradina (loan)2022–23Segunda División19010———200Estoril2023–24Primeira Liga3223161——414Maccabi Netanya2024–25Israeli Premier League3032020——3432025–263052152——378Total6084172——7111Universitatea Craiova2026–27Liga I5010—6010130Career total29548154164601033356
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCape Verde202561Total61
Scores and results list Cape Verde's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tavares goal. +List of international goals scored by Heriberto TavaresNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition13 June 2025Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia23–03–0Friendly
Honours Estoril Taça da Liga runner-up: 2023–24
Universitatea Craiova Supercupa României: 2026
References
External links