Ricardo Rogério de Brito, better known by his nickname Alemão (born November 22, 1961),^[1] is a former Brazilian football player who played as a defensive midfielder.^[2] He was born in Lavras, Minas Gerais.^[1] His nickname means German in Portuguese language.

[edit] Nickname

The nickname "Alemão" ("the German") was attributed to his blond hair and fair complexion making him similar in appearance to the many German immigrants in Brazil.

[edit] Playing career

He started his career playing for a Minas Gerais' club called Fabril, in 1980.^[3] In 1981, he moved to Botafogo, of Rio de Janeiro, where he stayed until 1987. In 1987 and in 1988, he played for Atlético Madrid, of Spain,^[4] scoring six goals in 35 games.^[5] Between 1988 and 1992, he played 93 games and scored nine goals for Napoli of Italy,^[5] playing alongside with star players like Diego Maradona and Careca.^[4] In 1992, he signed with Atalanta of Italy, scoring two goals in 40 games, until he left the club in 1994.^[5] In 1994, he returned to Brazil, playing 77 games and scoring two goals for São Paulo,^[2] where he stayed until 1996, when he moved to Volta Redonda and then retired from football.^[3]

[edit] National team

He was capped 39 times for the Brazil national football team, between June 1983 and June 1990, scoring six goals; and was part of the national team squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.^[2][6] He played his last game for the Brazilian national team on June 24, 1990, when his team was defeated by Argentina in the second stage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup.^[2]

[edit] Managerial career

In 2007, Alemão started his managerial career at Tupynambás, then in 2008, he was hired as manager of América Mineiro, which was, on that season, on second division of the Minas Gerais State League,^[7][8] but was promoted to the first level under his management.^[2]

[edit] Honors

In 1985, he won the Bola de Prata award of Placar Magazine, playing for Botafogo, and won the EFE Trophy as best South American player in 1988, playing for Atlético Madrid.^[3] When he was playing for Napoli, he won the UEFA Cup in 1989 (scoring a goal in the final), and won the Italian Super Cup and Serie A in 1990.^[9] In 1994, playing for São Paulo, he won two international titles, which are Recopa Sudamericana and Copa CONMEBOL.^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Sambafoot

v • d • e Brazil squad – 1986 FIFA World Cup 1 Carlos • 2 Édson • 3 Oscar • 4 Edinho • 5 Falcão • 6 Júnior • 7 Müller • 8 Casagrande • 9 Careca • 10 Zico • 11 Edivaldo • 12 Paulo Vitor • 13 Josimar • 14 Júlio César • 15 Alemão • 16 Mauro Galvão • 17 Branco • 18 Sócrates • 19 Elzo • 20 Silas • 21 Valdo • 22 Leão • Coach: Santana

v • d • e Brazil squad – Copa América 1989 Winners (4th Title) 1 Taffarel • 2 Mazinho • 3 Mauro Galvao • 4 André Cruz • 5 Branco • 6 Ricardo Gomes • 7 Bebeto • 8 Geovani • 9 Valdo • 10 Tita • 11 Romário • 12 Acácio • 13 Josimar • 14 Aldair • 15 Alemão • 16 Cristóvaã • 17 Dunga • 18 Renato Gaúcho • 19 Baltazar • 20 Silas • 21 Charles • 22 Zé Carlos • Coach: Lazaroni

v • d • e Brazil squad – 1990 FIFA World Cup 1 Taffarel • 2 Jorginho • 3 Ricardo Gomes • 4 Dunga • 5 Alemão • 6 Branco • 7 Bismarck • 8 Valdo • 9 Careca • 10 Silas • 11 Romário • 12 Acácio • 13 Mozer • 14 Aldair • 15 Müller • 16 Bebeto • 17 Renato Gaúcho • 18 Mazinho • 19 Ricardo Rocha • 20 Tita • 21 Mauro Galvão • 22 Zé Carlos • Coach: Lazaroni