Career
He also played football and tennis. Bessa begun is Architecture studies at the Escola Superior de Belas-Artes do Porto (ESBAP) and finish it at the Escola Superior de Belas-Artes de Lisboa (ESBAL) in 1973. He first played at CDUP (1965/66-1967/68) but moved then to CDUL (1968/69-1980/81) in Lisbon.
He was one of the best rugby union Portuguese players of his time, having 5 caps for Portugal, from 1969 to 1974.
After ending his player career, he become a coach. He was the National Team coach from 1983 to 1986 and from 1994 to 1999.
João Paulo Bessa also has been a sports journalist for many Portuguese newspapers.
