José Kléberson facts for kids
Kléberson playing for Flamengo in 2010
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | José Kléberson Pereira | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 19 June 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Uraí, Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2003 | Atlético Paranaense | 100 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2005 | Manchester United | 20 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Beşiktaş | 45 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2012 | Flamengo | 63 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | → Atlético Paranaense (loan) | 18 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Bahia | 19 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | → Philadelphia Union (loan) | 11 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Indy Eleven | 21 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 5 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 302 | (39) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2010 | Brazil | 32 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Philadelphia Union II (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | New York City FC (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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José Kléberson Pereira (born 19 June 1979), known simply as Kléberson, is a famous Brazilian football player and coach. He played as a midfielder and was known for his energy and passing skills. Kléberson was a key part of the Brazilian national team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He also won the Copa América in 2004 and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 with Brazil. Today, he works as an assistant coach for New York City FC.
Contents
- Playing Career: Kléberson's Journey in Football
- Style of Play: How Kléberson Played
- Management Career: Coaching After Playing
- Personal Life: A Special Reason to Stay
- Honours: Kléberson's Trophies
- Images for kids
- See also
Playing Career: Kléberson's Journey in Football
Club Football: From Brazil to Europe and Beyond
Atlético Paranaense: Early Success in Brazil
Kléberson grew up in a town called Uraí in Brazil. He started his football journey with a team called Atlético Paranaense. With this club, he won the Paraná State League twice, in 2000 and 2001. He also helped them win the top Brazilian league, the Brazilian Série A, in 2001. His great playing caught the eye of the national team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Manchester United: A Move to England
After his amazing performance at the 2002 World Cup, many big European teams wanted Kléberson. In August 2003, Manchester United in England signed him for about £6.5 million. This was a lot of money for a player at that time! He joined Manchester United along with other new players, including the famous Cristiano Ronaldo. Kléberson played for two seasons at Manchester United. He scored two goals during his time there.
Beşiktaş: Playing in Turkey
In August 2005, Kléberson moved to Turkey to play for Beşiktaş. He signed a three-year contract with the club. Kléberson later left Beşiktaş because of problems with his contract.
Flamengo: Return to Brazil
Kléberson joined Flamengo, a big club in Brazil, in September 2007. He couldn't play right away because of issues from leaving his previous club. After some time, he started playing for Flamengo's reserve team. He slowly worked his way into the main team.
In 2009, Kléberson was playing very well. However, he got injured during a friendly match and had to have surgery on his shoulder. Many thought he would miss the rest of the year. But he recovered quickly and returned to help Flamengo win the Brazilian Série A title that year. This was his second time winning this important league.
Bahia: Another Brazilian Club
After a loan spell back at Atlético Paranaense, Kléberson signed with Bahia in July 2012. He quickly made an impact, scoring a goal in his very first game for Bahia against his old team, Flamengo.
Later Career in the U.S.: Playing in America
In 2013, Kléberson moved to the United States. He joined Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS) on a loan. He even scored a winning goal in the last minute of a game against Toronto FC.
Later, in 2014, Kléberson signed with Indy Eleven, another American team. He played there for two seasons. In 2016, he joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before ending his playing career.
International Career: Representing Brazil
Kléberson first played for the Brazilian national team in January 2002. He scored a goal in his very first game! His great performances led to him being chosen for Brazil's squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
At first, Kléberson was a substitute. But the coach decided to start him in a big game against England. Kléberson played a key role in that match, helping Brazil win. He then started for the rest of the tournament. Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the fifth time, beating Germany in the final. Kléberson helped set up one of Brazil's goals in that final game.
After the World Cup, Kléberson continued to play for Brazil. He was part of the team that won the 2004 Copa América tournament. After some time away from the national team, he was called back in 2009 and helped Brazil win the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was also part of Brazil's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Style of Play: How Kléberson Played
Kléberson was a midfielder who was known for his excellent passing skills. He could pass the ball well with both feet, which helped him create chances for his teammates to score. His playing style was fast, and he was good at moving forward quickly during attacks. He also had a powerful shot from outside the penalty box.
Management Career: Coaching After Playing
After he stopped playing football, Kléberson decided to become a coach. In 2017, he returned to the Philadelphia Union, but this time as a coach for their youth academy. In 2022, he became an assistant coach for Philadelphia Union II. He is now an assistant coach for New York City FC.
Personal Life: A Special Reason to Stay
After his amazing performance at the 2002 World Cup, many top European clubs wanted to sign Kléberson. However, he chose to stay in Brazil for another year. He did this so he could marry his fiancée before moving abroad.
Honours: Kléberson's Trophies
Kléberson won many important titles during his career:
- Atlético Paranaense
- Brazilian Série A: 2001
- Paraná State League: 2000, 2001
- Manchester United
- FA Cup: 2003–04
- Beşiktaş
- Turkish Cup: 2005–06
- Turkish Super Cup: 2006
- Flamengo
- Brazilian Série A: 2009
- Brazil National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2002
- Copa América: 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009
Images for kids
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Kléberson playing for Beşiktaş in 2006
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Kléberson in 2013
See also
In Spanish: José Kléberson para niños
