Carlos Forbs is one of the most interesting players in modern football, which moves quickly. The Portuguese winger has already had a crazy journey from the youth academies of Manchester City to the high-stakes fields of Ajax, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now Club Brugge, all at the age of 21. With his lightning-fast speed, technical skill, and unbreakable will, Forbs is the next great Portuguese football player. He’s like a mix of João Félix’s creativity and Pedro Gonçalves’ edge. Forbs is ready to make his mark in the Belgian Pro League and the UEFA Champions League as the 2025–26 season goes on. This shows that his story is far from over.
Born and raised in Sintra
Forbs was born Carlos Roberto Forbs Borges on March 19, 2004, in Sintra, a coastal town northwest of Lisbon. He grew up in a family of Bissau-Guinean descent. In the Borges family, football was more than just a game; it was a way to stay alive. Sintra’s rolling hills and lively community made it the perfect place for a young Carlos to practice on dusty fields. He started playing organized football at the local club NADCC Sintra when he was about seven years old. His natural left-footed ability quickly caught people’s attention.
Forbs got a short stay at Sporting CP’s famous academy in Lisbon when he was only 10 years old, in 2014. But it was a short-lived dream; soon the call of international opportunity was too strong to resist. He moved to England when he was 11 and went to the Cooperative Academy in Leeds. He also got involved in the competitive youth scene. This early move across the Atlantic wasn’t just a risk; it showed how talented Forbs was, as Premier League scouts had already marked him as a star.
From Young Star to Academy Icon: Blossoming at Manchester City
Forbs got his big break in 2015 when he joined the top academy at Manchester City. He did well in the under-18 and under-23 teams with coaches who had helped make stars like Phil Foden. Forbs was known for his explosive dribbling and ability to score goals. He was a key player in City’s youth dominance. He helped the team win several national titles, including the FA Youth Cup, from 2020 to 2022.
Forbs’ big break came in the 2021–22 UEFA Youth League. He made a splash with a stunning debut goal in a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig, then scored a hat trick and assisted in a 5-1 win over Sevilla. In the 2022–23 season, he had 25 goals and 13 assists for the U21 team in all competitions. He was named Manchester City’s Under-18 Player of the Season in May 2021 because he worked hard and was able to shine on the flank. But even with all the hype, Forbs wanted to play in the first team, so he made a bold transfer that changed the course of his career.
Ajax, a loan drama, and a new chapter at Club Brugge in the professional world
Ajax bought Forbs in August 2023 for a reported €14 million, which could go up to €19 million with add-ons. They signed him to a five-year deal. The Dutch giants took a calculated risk when they moved to Amsterdam because they saw him as the next in a long line of flashy wingers. Just nine days later, he made his Eredivisie debut as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Heracles Almelo. He got an assist for Brian Brobbey’s first goal in a 2-2 draw against Excelsior, which was a classic example of Forbs’ creativity.
Europe called shortly after. He made his UEFA Europa League debut on August 24, 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad. But it was September 21 that made his name famous at Ajax. In a thrilling 3-3 group-stage draw against Marseille, Forbs scored his first professional goal and set up another. He played in 32 games and scored three goals in all competitions during his first season with Ajax in 2023–24. He fit right in with Ajax’s high-pressing style.
There was a lot of trouble during the 2024–25 season. In August 2024, Forbs joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan to get more exposure in the Premier League. The move back to England was not easy. He only played 11 times and didn’t score, and he had trouble finding his rhythm because of Wolves’ injury problems and tactical changes. Fans were angry on social media, with one Wolves fan saying he had “piss poor” control and questioning the value of the loan. The experiment was over by the middle of 2025, and Forbs went back to Ajax, but then he had to change again.
Club Brugge swooped in in July 2025 and signed the winger on a permanent deal that will last until 2029. Forbs, who is now wearing the No. 9 shirt in the Belgian Pro League, has gotten off to a great start. As of early October 2025, he has played in 13 games, scored twice (once in the Champions League), and shown flashes of his City days with daring runs and accurate crosses. Estimates of his market value are around €10 million, but that number could go up a lot if he keeps playing this well.
Portugal’s Next Big Thing: International Goals
Forbs may have been drawn to Guinea-Bissau because of his dual heritage, but he pledged his loyalty to Portugal early on. He started playing for his country’s youth teams in 2020 with the U16s (three caps, one goal), then moved up to the U18s (three caps, one goal) and finally the U19s, where he really stood out. He was a starter for the U19s by 2022, scoring two goals in 16 games and making the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament.
He made his U21 debut in September 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Andorra in a qualifier for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Forbs has three caps but hasn’t been called up to the senior team yet. He’s knocking on Roberto Martínez’s door. As Portugal’s senior side eyes the 2026 World Cup, his Bissau-Guinean flair could add the unpredictability the Seleção craves.
Dribble, deliver, and dominate are the ways to play.
Forbs isn’t built like a normal winger at 5’7″ (169 cm). He’s a pocket dynamo. He is left-footed and very fast, and he is great at one-on-one battles, using feints and speed to get past defenders. In the last third of the field, his vision is clear, and he can easily set up goals and assists. Some critics say he makes bad decisions from time to time, especially when he’s under pressure from the Premier League, but there’s no denying that he has a strong technical base that he built up at City. FIFA rates him as a 70 overall with an 80 potential, which shows how much better he could be.
The Road Ahead: From Learning About Loans to Going After Trophies
Carlos Forbs’ career hasn’t gone in a straight line. He started as a young star, then went to the Eredivisie, then had a rough time in the Premier League, and now he’s back in Belgium. At Club Brugge, where he is surrounded by Champions League talent, he is getting back on track. Rumors of a senior debut for Portugal are getting louder, and as his market value rises, bigger clubs may start to circle again.
Forbs’ ability to stay strong in a time when young talents shine brightly but briefly is impressive. He isn’t just getting by; he’s changing. One of the first fans said on X, “Carlos Forbs is an unreal footballer, by the way.” It really is unreal. Sintra’s son is just getting started, so keep an eye on this space.
