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Marcus Túlio Tanaka
田中 マルクス 闘莉王
Tulio 20080622.jpg
Tulio with Japan in 2008
Personal information
Full name Marcus Túlio Lyuji Murzani Tanaka
Date of birth (1981-04-24) 24 April 1981 (age 44)
Place of birth Palmeira d'Oeste, São Paulo, Brazil
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1997 Mirassol
1998–2000 Shibuya Makuhari High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 39 (2)
2003 Mito HollyHock 42 (10)
2004–2009 Urawa Red Diamonds 168 (37)
2010–2016 Nagoya Grampus 188 (36)
2017–2019 Kyoto Sanga 92 (19)
Total 499 (104)
International career
2004 Japan U23 7 (0)
2006–2010 Japan 43 (8)
Medal record
Urawa Red Diamonds
Winner AFC Champions League 2007
Winner J1 League 2006
Runner-up J1 League 2004
Runner-up J1 League 2005
Runner-up J1 League 2007
Runner-up J.League Cup 2004
Winner Emperor's Cup 2005
Winner Emperor's Cup 2006
Nagoya Grampus
Winner J1 League 2010
Runner-up J1 League 2011
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Marcus Túlio Tanaka (田中 マルクス 闘莉王, Tanaka Marukusu Tūrio, born Marcus Túlio Lyuji Murzani Tanaka on 24 April 1981) is a former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defensive position. Born in Brazil, he later became a Japanese citizen and played for the Japanese national team.

Tulio's Club Career Highlights

Marcus Túlio Tanaka was born in Palmeira d'Oeste, Brazil. His mother was Italian Brazilian, and his father was Japanese Brazilian. When he was 15, Tulio moved to Japan to finish high school.

Starting Out in Japan

After graduating from Shibuya Makuhari High School in 2001, Tulio joined the J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In his very first game on March 11, 2001, he came in as a substitute and even scored a goal! He played many matches as a centre-back for two seasons. However, Sanfrecce was moved down to the J2 League at the end of the 2002 season.

In 2003, Tulio moved to another J2 League team, Mito HollyHock. On October 10, 2003, he officially became a Japanese citizen. As a centre-back, he scored ten goals during the 2003 season.

Success with Urawa Red Diamonds

In 2004, Tulio returned to the top league, the J1 League, joining Urawa Red Diamonds. He played very well in the 2006 season. His strong performance helped Urawa win their first-ever J1 League title. Because of this, he was named the J.League Most Valuable Player.

In 2007, Urawa Red Diamonds also won their first Asian championship in the AFC Champions League. Tulio played 168 games and scored 37 goals for Urawa over six seasons. He was chosen for the team's Best Eleven every year he was there.

Moving to Nagoya Grampus

On December 22, 2009, Tulio joined Nagoya Grampus. In his first season with Nagoya, the team won the J1 League title for the first time in their history. Nagoya also finished second in the 2011 season.

Tulio left Nagoya Grampus in January 2016. He later rejoined them briefly in August 2016, but then left again at the end of the 2016 season.

Final Years at Kyoto Sanga

In 2017, at 35 years old, Tulio signed with Kyoto Sanga FC, a J2 League club. He played for Kyoto Sanga until 2019, before retiring from professional football.

Tulio's International Career

Tulio became a Japanese citizen in October 2003. This allowed him to play for Japan's national teams.

Playing for Japan's Youth Team

He played for the Japan U23 national team in the 2004 Olympic Games. He played as a centre-back for the entire game in all three matches.

Joining the Senior National Team

Tulio made his first appearance for the Japan's senior national team on August 9, 2006. This game was against Trinidad and Tobago. He scored his first goal for Japan on November 15, 2006, in a qualifier for the 2007 Asian Cup.

He was unable to play in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals due to an injury. His absence was a big loss for the Japanese team.

2010 FIFA World Cup

Tulio was chosen to play for Japan in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played as a centre-back in all four matches, alongside Yuji Nakazawa. Japan made it to the knockout stage of the tournament. The 2010 World Cup was his last time playing for Japan. Overall, he played 43 games and scored 8 goals for Japan.

Tulio's Achievements and Awards

Tulio won many awards and championships during his football career.

Team Trophies

  • Japan
    • Kirin Cup: 2007, 2008, 2009

Individual Awards

  • Japanese Footballer of the Year: 2006
  • J.League Most Valuable Player: 2006
  • J.League Best Eleven: He was chosen for the "Best Eleven" team nine times (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). This means he was one of the best players in the league for many years!
  • J.League 30th Anniversary Team

Images for kids

See also

A friendly robot for kids' knowledge In Spanish: Marcus Túlio Tanaka para niños

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