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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2010 | Brazil | 32 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Philadelphia Union II (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | New York City FC (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
José Kléberson Pereira (born on June 19, 1979), known simply as Kléberson, is a Brazilian football coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for New York City FC.
Kléberson played as a midfielder during his career. He represented the Brazilian national team 32 times between 2002 and 2010, scoring two goals. He was a key part of the team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Kléberson's Playing Career
Kléberson started his football journey in his home country, Brazil, before moving to play for big clubs in Europe and the United States.
Early Club Days in Brazil
Starting at Atlético Paranaense
Kléberson grew up in Uraí, a town in southern Brazil. He began his professional football career with Atlético Paranaense. With this club, he helped them win the Paraná State League in 2000 and 2001. He also won the top Brazilian league, the Brazilian Série A title, in 2001. His great performances caught the eye of the national team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari. This led to Kléberson being called up to play for Brazil in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Playing in Europe
Time at Manchester United
After his impressive World Cup performance, many European teams wanted to sign Kléberson. In August 2003, Manchester United in England signed him for about £6.5 million. He was seen as a replacement for another famous midfielder, Juan Sebastián Verón. Unfortunately, Kléberson got injured early in his time at the club. He played only 20 games over two seasons. He scored two league goals for Manchester United.
Moving to Beşiktaş
On August 6, 2005, Kléberson moved to the Turkish club Beşiktaş. He signed a three-year contract. He later ended his contract with the club.
Return to Brazil with Flamengo
Kléberson joined Flamengo in Brazil in September 2007. However, he couldn't play right away due to issues from his previous club. After some time, he was able to join the team on the field.
He slowly earned his place in Flamengo's main team. He became an important midfielder, especially in the Copa Libertadores matches. In 2009, he suffered a dislocated shoulder during a friendly match. Despite the injury, he recovered quickly and returned to help Flamengo win the Brazilian Série A title that year. This was his second Brazilian league title.
Later Career in the U.S.
Playing for Bahia
After a loan spell back at Atlético Paranaense, Kléberson signed a two-year contract with Bahia in July 2012. He scored his first goal for Bahia in his very first game against his former club, Flamengo.
Adventures in Major League Soccer
In March 2013, Kléberson moved to the United States to play for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS). He scored an exciting game-winning goal in the last minute against Toronto FC. In 2014, he signed with Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League (NASL). He played two seasons there before joining Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 2016.
International Career with Brazil
Kléberson made his first appearance for the Brazilian national team on January 31, 2002, in a friendly match against Bolivia. He scored Brazil's fourth goal in a big 6–0 win.
Winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup
Kléberson was chosen by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for Brazil's squad in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He started the tournament on the bench. However, for the quarter-final match against England, Scolari put him in the starting lineup. Kléberson's strong play helped Brazil win that game. He then started for the rest of the tournament. Brazil went on to defeat Germany in the final, winning the World Cup for a record fifth time. Kléberson even helped set up one of Brazil's goals in the final!
Copa América and Confederations Cup
After the World Cup, Kléberson kept his spot in the Brazilian team for a while. He was part of the squad that won the 2004 Copa América. He played in five matches during that tournament.
He was called back to the national team in 2009 and played in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, which Brazil also won. He was also part of Brazil's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His only appearance in that tournament was in the game against Chile.
Kléberson's Style of Play
Kléberson was known as a talented midfielder. He was great at passing the ball with both feet, which helped him create scoring chances for his teammates. His playing style was all about speed, quickly moving forward on counterattacks, and distributing the ball to other players. He was also known for his powerful shots from outside the penalty box.
Kléberson's Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Kléberson began a coaching career. In 2017, he returned to the Philadelphia Union to coach in their youth academy. In 2022, he was promoted to assistant coach for Philadelphia Union II. He is currently an assistant coach for New York City FC.
Career Achievements
Kléberson won many important titles during his playing career, both with his clubs and with the Brazilian national team.
Club Honours
- 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
International Honours
- Brazil
- FIFA World Cup: 2002
- Copa América: 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009
Individual Awards
- Bola de Prata: 2001 (This award recognizes the best players in the Brazilian league.)
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
