Kerlon facts for kids
Kerlon executing the Seal dribble
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kerlon Moura Souza | ||
| Date of birth | 27 January 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Ipatinga, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.68 m | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2005 | Cruzeiro | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2005–2008 | Cruzeiro | 16 | (0) |
| 2008–2012 | Inter Milan | 0 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | → Chievo (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | → Ajax (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Paraná (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → Nacional-NS (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2012–2014 | Fujieda MYFC | 22 | (9) |
| 2015 | Miami Dade FC | 5 | (3) |
| 2015 | Sliema Wanderers | 8 | (2) |
| 2016 | Villa Nova | 3 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Spartak Trnava | 4 | (0) |
| 2017 | Spartak Trnava II | 1 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2005 | Brazil U17 | 7 | (8) |
| 2006 | Brazil U20 | 1 | (0) |
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Kerlon Moura Souza, born on January 27, 1988, is a former professional football player from Brazil. He played as an attacking midfielder, which is a player who helps both attack and defend. After he stopped playing, he became a coach in the United States.
Kerlon became famous when he played in the Under-17 World Cup in 2005. He scored eight goals in just seven games, helping Brazil win the championship! While playing for the Brazilian club Cruzeiro, he became well-known for his special move called the "seal dribble". This amazing skill caught the eye of big European clubs like Inter Milan, who signed him in 2008.
Many people thought Kerlon would become a huge star, even calling him "the next Ronaldinho." However, some serious knee injuries made it hard for him to play consistently. He retired from football in 2017.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting in Brazil
Kerlon began his professional football journey with Cruzeiro in May 2005. His first game was in the Copa do Brasil tournament. He scored his first goal for Cruzeiro on February 25, 2007, in a big 4–1 win.
The Famous Seal Dribble
While at Cruzeiro, Kerlon became very famous for his unique "seal dribble" (called "drible da foquinha" in Brazil). This move involves bouncing the football on his forehead over and over again while running with it. It was so unusual that opposing players sometimes fouled him to stop him. For example, in 2007, a player from another team hit Kerlon with his elbow and was suspended for five games because of it.
Playing in Europe
In 2008, Kerlon was signed by an Italian club called Chievo. Later, in July 2009, he officially joined Inter Milan, another big Italian team.
Unfortunately, Kerlon continued to have problems with his knee injuries during his time in Italy. These injuries made it difficult for him to play many games for Inter Milan.
In August 2009, Kerlon was loaned to Ajax, a famous club in the Netherlands. However, he mostly played for their reserve team, not the main squad. He returned to Inter Milan in 2010 but got injured again, which kept him out of the game for a long time.
Back to Brazil and Beyond
After his time in Europe, Kerlon returned to Brazil. He played for clubs like Paraná in 2011 and Nacional de Nova Serrana in 2011–2012.
Adventures in Japan and the USA
In August 2012, Kerlon moved to Japan and joined a team called Fujieda MYFC. He quickly made an impact, scoring three goals and helping with seven assists in just eight games during his first season. In his second season, he scored six goals in 14 matches. However, his knee problems returned, and he had to go back to Brazil for surgery. He left the Japanese club in 2014.
In 2015, Kerlon signed with Miami Dade FC in the United States, a country he had always wanted to play in.
Playing in Malta and Slovakia
Later in 2015, Kerlon moved to the island of Malta and joined Sliema Wanderers. He scored his first goal for them in September, helping his team win 2–1.
After a short time back in Brazil, Kerlon signed with FC Spartak Trnava in Slovakia in 2016. He played only a few games there before his contract ended.
Retirement from Football
On October 20, 2017, Kerlon announced that he was officially retiring from playing professional football.
International Games
Kerlon also played for Brazil's national youth teams. He was the top scorer and named the Best Player at the 2005 South American Under 17 Football Championship in 2005. He scored eight goals in seven matches, helping Brazil win that tournament!
Awards and Achievements
Cruzeiro
- Campeonato Mineiro: 2006
Brazil U17
- South American Under 17 Football Championship: 2005
Individual Awards
- South American U-17 Football Championship top scorer: 2005
- South American U-17 Football Championship Best Player: 2005
