Muriqui (footballer)

Early career

Muriqui started his senior career in 2004 with Madureira. Considered as a talented player, he was loaned to several higher level Brazilian clubs including Vasco da Gama, Avaí and transferred to Desportivo Brasil in 2008. Muriqui was called up for Brazil U-20 while he was playing for Vasco da Gama.

On 14 April 2009, Muriqui was loaned to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Avaí again. In season 2009, he was considered as one of the best players in the club, with 139 fouls suffered throughout the season, which was the highest in the league.

At the end of 2009, it was reported that Muriqui decided to leave from the club. He joined Atlético Mineiro on 13 January 2010.

2010 season

On 30 June 2010, China League One club Guangzhou Evergrande confirmed that they had signed Muriqui on a four-year deal from Atlético Mineiro with a club record fee (as well as the domestic record fee) of US$3.5 million. He made his League One debut for Guangzhou against Nanjing Yoyo on 21 July and scored four goals in the match. In season 2010, Muriqui scored 13 goals in 14 appearances as Guangzhou finished first place in the League One and won promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

2011 season

Although Guangzhou signed a few strong players to strengthened the team's attacking power including Argentinian Darío Conca and Brazilian Cléo in the 2011 league season, Muriqui was still the most important part of the club. He scored his first two CSL goals in a 2–2 home draw against Beijing Guoan on 17 April 2011. On 4 May, Muriqui scored a hat-trick in a 2011 Chinese FA Cup match which Guangzhou Evergrande beat China League One side Guizhou Zhicheng at Yuexiushan Stadium. He became Guangzhou's first player to score a hat-trick in the Chinese FA Cup.

On 12 August 2011, a conflict near the end of first half in the match while Guangzhou played away against Liaoning Whowin became the center of attention. In a hearing held by Chinese Football Association 4 days later, the CFA believed that Muriqui struck Zhao Junzhe in the conflict, which resulted in a ban of 5 matches (including reserve league) and him being fined ¥25,000. Muriqui expressed his disappointment about the ban which he believed to be unfair in his Weibo and said he would leave China at the end of the season. However, after several talks with the club, Muriqui changed his mind and said he would happy to stay in China and fulfil his contract. Although missing 4 matches of the league, Muriqui scored 16 goals in 26 appearances in the season which made him the top goal scorer of the league. Guangzhou successfully achieved Super League champion for the first time in the club's history. Muriqui won the CFA Footballer of the Year award in December 2011.

2012 season

At the start of the 2012 season, Muriqui helped Guangzhou win the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup by beating Tianjin Teda 2–1 on 25 February. He scored his first AFC Champions League goal in a 2012 AFC Champions League group stage match, the club's first AFC Champions League match, as Guangzhou defeated K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1 away on 7 March. He scored twice in another Champions League match which Guangzhou beat J. League Division 1 champions Kashiwa Reysol 3–1 at home on 17 April. His three goals in the group stage ensured Guangzhou Evergrande to reach the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League. Muriqui scored his first hat-trick in the Super League, in a 5–1 home victory against Jiangsu Sainty on 17 June. On 3 July, Muriqui signed a new contract with Guangzhou Evergrande, keeping him at the club until 30 June 2016. On 19 September, Muriqui was injured after being tackled heavily by Osama Al-Muwallad during a Champions League match against Al-Ittihad at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium. The injury prevented Muriqui from playing for Guangzhou Evergrande for the rest of Super League and Champions League match and they won the league narrowly but was knocked out of their first Champions League journey by Al-Ittihad in the quarter-finals. Muriqui made his return from injury in the second leg of 2012 Chinese FA Cup final as Guangzhou won their first FA Cup title by defeating Guizhou Renhe 5–3 on aggregate.

2013 season

Muriqui started the 2013 season by scoring a goal and an assist in the first round of 2013 AFC Champions League group stage match, a 3–0 home victory over J. League side Urawa Red Diamonds. The goal he scored in this match made him the top scorer of Guangzhou's professional history, overtaking Luis Ramírez's previous club record of 48 goals. He continued his excellent form in the Champions League, scoring six goals in the first five group stage match including one goal in the 3–0 home victory against Urawa Red Diamonds, one goal in the 1–1 away draw against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, one goal in the 4–0 home victory against Muangthong United, two goals in the 4–1 away victory against Muangthong United and one goal in the 3–2 away defeat against Urawa Red Diamonds. Muriqui scored his seventh and eighth Champions League goals in the both legs of round of 16 against Australia's A-League side Central Coast Mariners while Guangzhou won 5–1 on aggregate. On 18 September 2013, he scored his ninth goal in the second leg of quarter-finals against Qatar's Lekhwiya in a 4–1 away win. On 25 September 2013, he scored twice in the first leg of semi-finals during a 4–1 away win against Kashiwa Reysol. He hit a brace in the second leg at Tianhe Stadium in a 4–0 home victory against Kashiwa Reysol on 2 October, bringing his tally to 13 goals in 12 Champions League games. It was also the highest number of goals ever scored by one player at a single AFC Champions League tournament, breaking Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira's record of 12 goals in the 2012 AFC Champions League.

Although Muriqui didn't score in the both legs of 2013 AFC Champions League Final against K-League side FC Seoul, he provided a crucial assist in the second leg on 9 November 2013 which Elkeson converted into the goal. Guangzhou Evergrande secured the title on the away goals rule and became the first Chinese club to be crowned Asian club champions since 1990. Muriqui won the top goalscorer and Most Valuable Player award of the competition. On November 26, he was named AFC Foreign Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards ceremony. Muriqui played all three matches for Guangzhou Evergrande in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup. On 21 December 2013, he scored a goal in the third place match against his former team Atlético Mineiro.

2014 season

Muriqui was linked with Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd and Saudi Premier League side Al Shabab after the end of the 2013 season. However, he eventually decided to stay in Guangzhou for the 2014 season. He suffered a muscle bruise in the pre-season training. Although Muriqui caught up the first match of the season against Melbourne Victory in the 2014 AFC Champions League just in time, he was substituted off by Liao Lisheng when Guangzhou was losing 2–0 in the first half. He had to fight with the injury in the first half of the season and scored his first goal of the season against Liaoning Whowin on 26 April 2014. He scored twice in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2014 AFC Champions League, which ensured Guangzhou beat J League side Cerezo Osaka 5–1 at Nagai Stadium.

He left Guangzhou as the top scorer of the club, scoring 77 goals in 133 appearances. Liu Yongzhuo, chairman of Guangzhou Evergrande, promised that the club would resign Muriqui in 2017 after he finished his contract at Al Sadd.

Al Sadd

On 10 July 2014, Al Sadd announced that they had officially signed Muriqui. According to Guangzhou Evergrande, the transfer fee was up to US$8 million. On 13 August 2014, Muriqui made his official debut for Al Sadd in the 2014 Sheikh Jassem Cup and scored two goals in the match, which ensured Al Sadd beat Lekhwiya 3–2. He kept on playing in the quarter-finals of 2014 AFC Champions League against Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal. He didn't score in both legs as Al Sadd was eliminated with 1–0 on aggregate. He suffered a muscle bruise recurrence in late August and received surgical treatment in early September 2014. Muriqui made his return on 28 February 2015 in a league match against Lekhwiya. On 22 March 2015, he scored first time in the Qatar Stars League against Al-Khor, which ensured Al Sadd's 5–1 away victory. In February 2016, Muriqui was removed from Al Sadd's squad.

FC Tokyo

On 1 April 2016, Muriqui was loaned to J. League Division 1 side F.C. Tokyo for one season. He also played for F.C. Tokyo U-23 in the J. League Division 3. He made his debut for FC Tokyo on 10 April 2016 against Kashiwa Reysol. On 1 May 2016, he scored his first goal in a J3 League against Tochigi SC with 1–1 draw. He scored his first J1 League goal on 22 June 2016 in a 3–2 away defeat against Urawa Red Diamonds. On 31 August 2016, Muriqui suffered an injury of fibular collateral ligament in his left knee in the first leg of 2016 J.League Cup quarter-finals against Avispa Fukuoka. Although he was evaluated to return field in two months, he didn't play for FC Tokyo for the rest of the season.

Muriqui signed an intent contract with FC Tokyo in December 2016 after he terminated his contract with Al Sadd in advance. However, he was recruited by his former club Vasco da Gama in January 2017. FC Tokyo officially announced Muriqui's leave on 6 January 2017.

Vasco da Gama

Muriqui signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Vasco da Gama in January 2017. In July 2017, he terminated his contract with the club by mutual consent.

Return to Guangzhou

On 12 July 2017, Muriqui returned to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao on a free transfer, signing a half-year contract. He made his return debut on 19 July 2017 in a 4–2 defeat against city rivals Guangzhou R&F at Yuexiushan Stadium in the first leg of 2017 Chinese FA Cup fifth round, coming on as a substitute for Zhang Wenzhao in the 57th minute. He assisted Alan Carvalho's goal in the 85th minute. He scored two goals in the second leg on 1 August 2017, which ensured Guangzhou Evergrande's 7–2 home win and advance to the semi-final. On 10 August 2017, Muriqui made his return league debut in a 3–0 away win against Liaoning FC. Muriqui was named in Guangzhou's squad for the 2017 AFC Champions League on 15 August 2017 after Paulinho's leave for FC Barcelona. On 19 August 2017, he scored twice in a 3–0 away win over Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in the Chinese Super League.

Personal life

Muriqui married Aline Pimenta on 6 December 2010. On 18 April 2013, their son, Gabriel, was born in Guangzhou, China.

Career statistics

¹Other tournaments include Chinese FA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
²Other tournaments include Sheikh Jassem Cup and Qatar Crown Prince Cup

Club

Individual