Maxwell (footballer, born 1981) facts for kids
![]() Maxwell with Paris Saint-Germain in 2015
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade | ||
Date of birth | 27 August 1981 | ||
Place of birth | Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil | ||
Height | 1.76 m | ||
Playing position | Left-back | ||
Youth career | |||
1994–2001 | Cruzeiro | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2000–2001 | Cruzeiro | 27 | (2) |
2001–2006 | Ajax | 114 | (9) |
2006–2009 | Inter Milan | 79 | (2) |
2006 | → Empoli (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2009–2012 | Barcelona | 57 | (1) |
2012–2017 | Paris Saint-Germain | 145 | (12) |
Total | 422 | (25) | |
National team | |||
2004 | Brazil U23 | 6 | (1) |
2013–2014 | Brazil | 10 | (0) |
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Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade (born on August 27, 1981), known simply as Maxwell, is a former Brazilian footballer. He played as a left-back, which is a defensive position on the side of the field. After retiring from playing, he became an assistant sporting director for Paris Saint-Germain.
Maxwell started his career at Cruzeiro in Brazil. He then played for several famous European clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. He won many trophies with each of these teams. When he retired, he had won 30 official titles, making him one of the most successful active footballers in Europe at that time. He also played for the Brazilian national team and was part of their squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Maxwell's Club Career
Starting in Brazil and Moving to Europe
Maxwell was born in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil. He began his football journey at Cruzeiro. In June 2001, he moved to Europe and signed a five-year contract with AFC Ajax in the Netherlands.
His best season with Ajax was in 2003–04. He played almost every game for the team, helping them win the Eredivisie (the top Dutch football league). He was even named the Dutch Footballer of the Year that season. Sadly, he got a serious injury in April 2005 and could not play for Ajax again.
Playing for Inter Milan
After his time at Ajax, Maxwell joined Internazionale in Italy in 2006. He signed a four-year contract. He quickly impressed everyone in his first season in Serie A (the top Italian league). He even scored an amazing solo goal against Parma. Fans voted it as Inter's best goal of the season!
Initially, Maxwell played as a left-back. But in the 2007–08 season, he moved further up the field to play as a left midfielder or winger. This change worked well because his speed helped the team a lot. He won his second straight Scudetto (Serie A title) with Inter that season. In the 2008–09 season, he got another injury but recovered to play well again.
Joining FC Barcelona

On July 15, 2009, Maxwell moved to Barcelona in Spain. He signed a five-year contract with the famous Catalan club. He made his first appearance for Barcelona in the 2009 Supercopa de España match. He played an important role in his first season, helping Barcelona win La Liga (the top Spanish league).
In the 2010–11 season, Maxwell often played as an attacking left-winger. He even set up the first goal for Zlatan Ibrahimović in the 2010 Supercopa de España.
Time at Paris Saint-Germain
In January 2012, Maxwell moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France. He signed a three-year deal. He quickly became the main left-back for the team. In February 2014, he extended his contract with PSG.
Maxwell scored an important goal for PSG on February 4, 2015. It was the only goal in their win against Lille, which helped PSG reach the Coupe de la Ligue Final.
Maxwell's International Career

Maxwell first played for the Brazil under-23 squad in January 2004. Later that year, he was called up to the senior team for World Cup qualifying matches, but he did not play in any games.
His first official game for the senior national team was on August 14, 2013. He came on as a substitute in a friendly match against Switzerland.
In May 2014, Maxwell was chosen to be part of Brazil's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Brazil. He played his only game in the tournament in the third-place play-off match against the Netherlands. Brazil lost 3–0, and this was Maxwell's last international game. After the World Cup, he decided to retire from international football in October 2014.
Life After Playing Football
After retiring as a player, Maxwell continued his career in football. He became an assistant sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain. In this role, he helps manage the club's football operations, working closely with the sporting director.
Maxwell's Playing Style and Personality
Maxwell was known as a very reliable and intelligent defender. He was not just good at defending; he was also very elegant and confident with the ball. He rarely lost possession, which helped his teams keep control of the game. He could play as a full-back or even further up the field as a left-winger because of his skill and speed. He often made attacking runs down the left side to help create chances for his teammates.
Off the field, Maxwell was a quiet but highly respected person. His teammates liked him a lot, and he was seen as a key figure in the dressing room. His close friend and former teammate, Zlatan Ibrahimović, described him as "incredibly sensitive" and a "nice guy."
Maxwell's Personal Life

Maxwell is very good friends with famous footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović. They were teammates at four different clubs: Ajax, Internazionale, Barcelona, and PSG. Zlatan even wrote about Maxwell in his autobiography, I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović. Zlatan mentioned that Maxwell would be remembered for his calm nature and gentle way of playing football.
Career Statistics
- Source:
Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Ajax | 2001–02 | Eredivisie | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 31 | 0 | ||
2002–03 | Eredivisie | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 4 | ||
2003–04 | Eredivisie | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | — | 40 | 2 | |||
2004–05 | Eredivisie | 29 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 | ||
2005–06 | Eredivisie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 114 | 9 | 9 | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 156 | 10 | |||
Internazionale | 2006–07 | Serie A | 22 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | |
2007–08 | Serie A | 32 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||
2008–09 | Serie A | 25 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1 | ||
Total | 79 | 2 | 12 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 105 | 2 | |||
Empoli (loan) | 2005–06 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Barcelona | 2009–10 | La Liga | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
2010–11 | La Liga | 25 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 1 | ||
2011–12 | La Liga | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 1 | ||
Total | 57 | 0 | 11 | 1 | — | 17 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 90 | 2 | |||
Paris Saint-Germain | 2011–12 | Ligue 1 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 1 | |
2012–13 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | — | 48 | 2 | ||
2013–14 | Ligue 1 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 3 | |
2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | |
2015–16 | Ligue 1 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
2016–17 | Ligue 1 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
Total | 145 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 214 | 13 | ||
Career total | 395 | 23 | 48 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 102 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 565 | 27 |
International Appearances
Games and goals for Brazil
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Brazil | |||
2013 | 7 | 0 | |
2014 | 3 | 0 | |
Total | 10 | 0 |
Maxwell's Football Achievements
Ajax
- Eredivisie (Dutch League): 2001–02, 2003–04
- KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup): 2001–02
- Johan Cruyff Shield (Dutch Super Cup): 2002
Inter Milan
- Serie A (Italian League): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- Supercoppa Italiana (Italian Super Cup): 2008
Barcelona
- La Liga (Spanish League): 2009–10, 2010–11
- Supercopa de España (Spanish Super Cup): 2009, 2010
- UEFA Champions League (Europe's Top Club Competition): 2010–11
- UEFA Super Cup (European Super Cup): 2009
- FIFA Club World Cup (World Club Cup): 2009, 2011
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1 (French League): 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
- Coupe de France (French Cup): 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Coupe de la Ligue (French League Cup): 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Trophée des Champions (French Super Cup): 2013, 2015, 2016
Individual Awards
- Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award): 2001–02
- Ajax Player of the Year (Rinus Michels Award): 2003–04
- Dutch Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
- Dutch Golden Shoe: 2003–04
- Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16
See also
In Spanish: Maxwell (futbolista) para niños