Donato Gama da Silva
Encyclopedia
Donato Gama da Silva simply Donato, is a retired Brazil
ian-born Spanish
footballer during the 1990s and early 2000s.
He played most of his professional career in Spain
- 15 years and more than 500 official games - most notably with Deportivo de La Coruña
, being part of the Super Depor squads that won several major titles, including the 2000 La Liga
championship, the club's only; additionally, he also represented his country of adoption's national team
.
Having started his career as a central midfielder, Donato finished it as a central defender, at almost 41. He was a strong but technical player, who was able both to destroy the opposition's attacks and to help generate his own team's.
Donato represented the Spanish national team
at Euro 1996.
, Donato began his 20-year professional career with America Football Club in his hometown, switching to neighbours Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama in 1984, and playing there for the following four years, after which he joined Spain
's Atlético Madrid, as one of the first signings of elusive chairman Jesús Gil
. With the colchoneros, he won back-to-back Spanish Cups
.
Donato moved to Deportivo de La Coruña
in 1993; alongside players like Bebeto
, Mauro Silva
, Miroslav Đukić and Fran, he was crucial to the team's firm establishment in both the domestic league
and European competitions
, as he netted an impressive 18 league goals in his first two seasons combined (often from free kicks
, one of his main assets). He continued to contribute heavily for the Galicians in the subsequent seasons, helping the club win two domestic cups, and the historical 1999–2000's national championship (scoring three times in 29 contests).
In 2002, Donato broke a 43-year old record, by becoming the oldest goalscorer in La Liga history. He also holds the record for the most matches played in the country's top level by a player born outside of Spain, with 466 in 15 seasons.
Donato began his coaching career in Greece
, as assistant manager at Aris Thessaloniki
.
, and earned 12 caps
in a two-year span.
His debut arrived on 16 November 1994, starting (and scoring) in an UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier against Denmark
, at the Sánchez Pizjuán
. Subsequently, he was called-up for the Spanish squad at the final stages in England
.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-born Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer during the 1990s and early 2000s.
He played most of his professional career in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- 15 years and more than 500 official games - most notably with Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
, being part of the Super Depor squads that won several major titles, including the 2000 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
championship, the club's only; additionally, he also represented his country of adoption's national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.
Having started his career as a central midfielder, Donato finished it as a central defender, at almost 41. He was a strong but technical player, who was able both to destroy the opposition's attacks and to help generate his own team's.
Donato represented the Spanish national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
at Euro 1996.
Club career
Born in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Donato began his 20-year professional career with America Football Club in his hometown, switching to neighbours Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama in 1984, and playing there for the following four years, after which he joined Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Atlético Madrid, as one of the first signings of elusive chairman Jesús Gil
Jesús Gil
Gregorio Jesús Gil y Gil was a Spanish businessman and politician. He served as Mayor of Marbella, between 1996 and 2002, and was also known for his 16-year stint as president of Spanish football club Atlético Madrid....
. With the colchoneros, he won back-to-back Spanish Cups
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
.
Donato moved to Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
in 1993; alongside players like Bebeto
Bebeto
José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, known as 'Bebeto', is a former football forward, a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup...
, Mauro Silva
Mauro Silva
Mauro da Silva Gomes , simply Silva, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
, Miroslav Đukić and Fran, he was crucial to the team's firm establishment in both the domestic league
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
and European competitions
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....
, as he netted an impressive 18 league goals in his first two seasons combined (often from free kicks
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:...
, one of his main assets). He continued to contribute heavily for the Galicians in the subsequent seasons, helping the club win two domestic cups, and the historical 1999–2000's national championship (scoring three times in 29 contests).
In 2002, Donato broke a 43-year old record, by becoming the oldest goalscorer in La Liga history. He also holds the record for the most matches played in the country's top level by a player born outside of Spain, with 466 in 15 seasons.
Donato began his coaching career in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, as assistant manager at Aris Thessaloniki
Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
.
International career
After becoming a citizen of Spain in 1994, Donato was called to the national teamSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, and earned 12 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
in a two-year span.
His debut arrived on 16 November 1994, starting (and scoring) in an UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, at the Sánchez Pizjuán
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán is a stadium in Seville, Spain. It is the home stadium of Sevilla Fútbol Club. It was the venue for the 1986 European Cup Final between Steaua Bucureşti and Barcelona and the 1982 World Cup semi-final game between Germany and France.This stadium contains a singular...
. Subsequently, he was called-up for the Spanish squad at the final stages in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Honours
- Atlético Madrid:
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1990–91, 1991–92
- Spanish Cup
- DeportivoDeportivo de La CoruñaReal Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
:- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1999–2000 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1994–95, 2001–02 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1995, 2000, 2002
- Spanish League