Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia
Encyclopedia
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia (born 6 September 1982 in Lisbon
), aka Carlitos, is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Hannover 96
in the Bundesliga
, as a left winger.
in 2000, at the early age of 17. Two years later he moved to Lisbon
neighbours G.D. Estoril Praia, helping it achieve promotion to the top division in his second year.
Subsequently, Carlitos caught the eye of country giants S.L. Benfica, which signed the player after the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
in Germany
, where he appeared with Portugal
. He helped Benfica conquer its first league title in 11 years, but could never break into the first team (10 matches, nine as a reserve, none complete).
In January 2006, Carlitos was loaned out to Vitória de Setúbal
, making a good impression in six months. In June, he returned to Benfica, but was immediately loaned out again, this time to Swiss
side FC Sion
, teaming up with compatriot (of Benfica and F.C. Porto fame) João Manuel Pinto
.
In July 2007, Carlitos was sold definitely, but stayed in the country, moving to FC Basel
for a sum of €
1.5 million. His Basel debut came on 22 July 2007, in a 1–0 win over FC Zürich at St. Jakob-Park
. He scored Basel's 200th goal in European competition
on 5 December, curling the ball into the back of the net from a free kick
against SK Brann, also at home, which also meant that Basel qualified for the UEFA Champions League
knock-out round of 32.
Carlitos was a very important offensive element in the club's double during his debut campaign. On 17 August 2008, he scored twice, in a 4–1 win over Basel's greatest rivals, FC Zürich, at the Letzigrund
.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
), aka Carlitos, is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
in the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
, as a left winger.
Football career
Carlitos started his professional career at Amora F.C.Amora F.C.
Amora Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from Amora .The club was founded in 1921. The senior football section currently plays in the Portuguese Third Division , F series.-League History:...
in 2000, at the early age of 17. Two years later he moved to Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
neighbours G.D. Estoril Praia, helping it achieve promotion to the top division in his second year.
Subsequently, Carlitos caught the eye of country giants S.L. Benfica, which signed the player after the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2004 was the 14th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Germany between 27 May and 8 June 2004.Italy U-21s won the competition for the fifth time...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he appeared with Portugal
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
. He helped Benfica conquer its first league title in 11 years, but could never break into the first team (10 matches, nine as a reserve, none complete).
In January 2006, Carlitos was loaned out to Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
, making a good impression in six months. In June, he returned to Benfica, but was immediately loaned out again, this time to Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
side FC Sion
FC Sion
FC Sion is a Swiss football team from the city of Sion. The club was founded in 1909, and play their home games at the Stade Tourbillon. They have won the Swiss Super League twice, and the Swiss Cup in each of their twelve appearances in the final, the most recent being in 2011.The first team also...
, teaming up with compatriot (of Benfica and F.C. Porto fame) João Manuel Pinto
Joao Manuel Pinto Tome
João Manuel Pinto Tomé Santos, known as João Pinto or João Manuel Pinto , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender.-Football career:...
.
In July 2007, Carlitos was sold definitely, but stayed in the country, moving to FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
for a sum of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.5 million. His Basel debut came on 22 July 2007, in a 1–0 win over FC Zürich at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
. He scored Basel's 200th goal in European competition
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
on 5 December, curling the ball into the back of the net from a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
against SK Brann, also at home, which also meant that Basel qualified for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
knock-out round of 32.
Carlitos was a very important offensive element in the club's double during his debut campaign. On 17 August 2008, he scored twice, in a 4–1 win over Basel's greatest rivals, FC Zürich, at the Letzigrund
Letzigrund
In January 2005, UEFA approved plans to rebuild the stadium for use as a EURO 2008 venue. It hosted 3 matches in the 2008 European Football Championship....
.
Honours
- Benfica:
- Portuguese League: 2004–05
- Portuguese Supercup: 2005
- Vitória SetúbalVitória F.C.Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
:- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: Runner-up 2005–06 - Portuguese Supercup: Runner-up 2006
- Portuguese Cup
- BaselFC BaselFussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
:- Swiss LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
: 2007–08, 2009–102009–10 Swiss Super LeagueThe 2009–10 Swiss Super League is the 113th season of top-tier football in Switzerland. The competition is officially named AXPO Super League due to sponsoring purposes. It began on 11 July 2009 and will end in May 2010. FC Zürich were the defending champions... - Swiss Cup: 2007–08, 2009–102009–10 Swiss CupThe 2009–10 Swiss Cup was the 85th season of Switzerland's annual football cup competition. It began on 17 September with the first game of Round 1 and ended on 9 May 2010 with the Final held at St. Jakob-Park, Basel. The competition was won by FC Basel, who defeated second-level side...
- Swiss League