- Occupation/Title
- Soccer player (MF)
- nationality
- Brazil
- date of birth
- April 22, 1982
- place of birth
- Brasilia
- Real name
- Leite, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos
- Awards
- Ballon d'Or (2007), FIFA World Player of the Year (2007)
- Biography
- In 1991, he joined the Sao Paulo youth soccer team on the recommendation of his elementary school physical education teacher. In February 2001, he made his professional debut in a match against Botafogo at the Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo tournament. In 2003, he transferred to AC Milan of Italy for 8.5 million euros (approximately 1.1 billion yen at the time). He pushed playmaker Rui Costa to the bench and contributed to the team's Serie A victory in 2004, winning the MVP award. In the 2007 season, he continued to play as a central player, contributing to the team's victory in the European Champions League (EUCL), and becoming the top scorer with 10 goals. He was also selected as the MVP and best forward of the tournament. He also contributed to the team's world championship at the Toyota Club World Cup, winning five awards in the same year, including the World Player of the Year (Ballon d'Or) recognized by France Football magazine, the FIFA World Player of the Year, and the Italian Player of the Year selected by the Italian Football Association. He supported the team as a "symbol" of Milan, but in June 2009, he transferred to the Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid on a six-year contract. The transfer fee of 68 million euros (approximately 9.3 billion yen) was the second highest after that of midfielder Zinedine Zidane (France), who joined Real Madrid from Juventus in 2001. However, he was unable to perform well at Real Madrid due to a knee injury and poor condition, and in 2013 he asked to leave the club. In the 2013-2014 season, he returned to Serie A with his former club AC Milan. He left the club in June 2014. He made his debut for the Brazilian national team in January 2002 against Bolivia, and scored his first goal for the national team in March against Iceland. In 2002, he became the youngest player in Brazilian history to play for the World Cup. He was a member of the winning team for the World Cup co-hosted by Japan and Korea, and came on as a substitute in the third group stage match against Costa Rica. He won the Confederations Cup in 2005. He made his first start and scored his first goal in the World Cup in the first group stage match against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Forming an attacking line called the "Magic Four" (Quartet Magico) with forwards Ronaldo and Adriano, and midfielder Ronaldinho, it was expected that the team would win the tournament for the second time in a row, but they lost to France in the quarterfinals. A member of South Africa's national team for the 2010 World Cup. A midfielder with outstanding technique and wide vision. Named to the FIFA Best XI from 2006 to 2008. 186 cm, 83 kg. Right-footed. Acquired Italian citizenship in February 2007.
Source: Nichigai Associates "Modern Foreigner Directory 2016" About the Modern Foreigner Directory 2016 |
