Alessandro Santos facts for kids
Santos in 2019
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| Full name | Alessandro dos Santos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 20 July 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Maringá, Paraná, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | Meitoku Gijuku High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2003 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 198 | (56) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2009 | Urawa Reds | 100 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | → Red Bull Salzburg (loan) | 20 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2012 | Nagoya Grampus | 55 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Tochigi SC | 25 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | FC Gifu | 18 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Maringá | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Grêmio Maringá | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | PSTC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 416 | (72) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2006 | Japan | 82 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Alessandro Santos, often called Alex, was a professional footballer. He was born in Brazil on July 20, 1977. He played as a midfielder. Alex later became a Japanese citizen. He played 82 games for the Japan national team.
Contents
Alex's Club Career Highlights
Alex was born in Maringá, Brazil. He moved to Japan in 1994 when he was 16. He went to Meitoku Gijuku High School. There he played football for the school team.
Playing for Shimizu S-Pulse
After high school, Alex joined Shimizu S-Pulse in 1997. This team plays in the J1 League, which is Japan's top football league.
- In 1999, his team finished second in the league. Alex was named the J.League Player of the Year.
- Shimizu S-Pulse also won the 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. This is a big competition for clubs in Asia.
Moving to Urawa Reds
In 2002, Alex tried to join Charlton Athletic in England. But he could not get a work permit. This meant he could not play in England. So, he went back to Shimizu S-Pulse. In 2004, he joined Urawa Reds.
- Urawa Reds finished second in the J1 League in 2004 and 2005.
- In 2006, Alex helped Urawa Reds win the J1 League title.
Time at Red Bull Salzburg and Nagoya Grampus
In 2007, Alex played for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria for a short time. He then returned to Urawa Reds. In 2009, he moved to Nagoya Grampus.
- With Nagoya Grampus, he played 55 games.
- He helped them win the J1 League in 2010.
After Nagoya Grampus, Alex played for Tochigi SC and FC Gifu in the J2 League.
Alex's International Career with Japan
In 2001, Alex became a Japanese citizen. This allowed him to play for the Japan national team.
Playing in the World Cup
- His first game for Japan was on March 21, 2002, against Ukraine.
- He was chosen to play in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This was a huge honor.
- Alex was only the second player born outside Japan to play for Japan in a World Cup.
- He also played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In a game against his home country, Brazil, he helped set up a goal.
Winning the Asian Cup
Alex played in all six matches of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. Japan won this tournament, making them champions of Asia. He played 82 games for Japan and scored 7 goals.
Alex's Life After Playing
In 2020, Alex started his own football team called Aruko Sports Brasil. This team plays in the Campeonato Paranaense, a league in Brazil.
Career Statistics Summary
Alex played many games throughout his career. Here is a quick look at his appearances and goals:
- Shimizu S-Pulse: 198 games, 56 goals
- Urawa Reds: 100 games, 11 goals (including a second period with the club)
- Red Bull Salzburg: 20 games, 1 goal
- Nagoya Grampus: 55 games, 0 goals
- Tochigi SC: 25 games, 2 goals
- FC Gifu: 18 games, 2 goals
- Total Club Games: 416 games, 72 goals
- Japan National Team: 82 games, 7 goals
Honours and Awards
Alex won many trophies and awards during his football career:
Team Honours
- Shimizu S-Pulse
* Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 1999–2000 * Emperor's Cup: 2001 * Japanese Super Cup: 2002
- Urawa Red Diamonds
* J1 League: 2006 * Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006 * Japanese Super Cup: 2006
- Red Bull Salzburg
* Austrian Bundesliga: 2006–07
- Nagoya Grampus
* J1 League: 2010
- Japan National Team
* AFC Asian Cup: 2004
Individual Awards
- J.League MVP: 1999
- J1 League Best Eleven: 1999
Images for kids
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Santos in 2019
See also
In Spanish: Alessandro Santos para niños
