Matheus Leite Nascimento
Encyclopedia
Matheus Leite Nascimento (born 15 January 1983 in Ribeirópolis
, Sergipe
), simply Matheus, is a Brazil
ian footballer who plays for FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
in the Ukrainian Premier League
, as a forward.
, Matheus moved to Portugal
in the summer of 2005, with second division
outfit Futebol Clube do Marco
. In January 2006, however, he was bought by top flight's Sporting Clube de Braga, making four appearances in his first season.
During the year 2007, encompassing both 2006–07 and the following seasons, Matheus served two loans: in January 2007, he played with Sport Clube Beira-Mar, appearing from August–December with Vitória de Setúbal
, being subsequently recalled by Braga.
In the 2009–10 season, Matheus appeared in all 30 league matches (but rarely as a starter) as Braga finished in a best-ever second place, behind S.L. Benfica. He contributed with five goals, in 1142 minutes.
Matheus started the following campaign with major contributions: on 28 July, he scored from a 35-meter free kick
to close the score against Celtic
(3–0 at home), as Braga progressed to the next UEFA Champions League
qualifying round (4–2 on aggregate). On 13 August, in the league opener against Portimonense SC
, he started and opened the scoresheet, in an eventual 3–1 home win; five days later, again for the Champions League, he scored the game's only goal in a home win against Sevilla FC
- in celebrating the goal, he pulled out a pacifier and put in his mouth- and opened the score in the second leg in Andalusia
, in a 4–3 win (5–3 on aggregate).
On 23 November 2010, Matheus scored twice in the dying minutes of the 2–0 Champions League home win against Arsenal
, although Braga would eventually fail to reach the knockout stages of the competition, finishing third in its group.
In January 2011, 28-year old Matheus left Braga and signed for FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
in Ukraine
, for €
1 million.
Ribeirópolis
Ribeirópolis is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Sergipe. Its population was 16,320 and its area is 262 km²....
, Sergipe
Sergipe
Sergipe , is the smallest state of the Brazilian Federation, located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of the country. It borders on two other states, Bahia to the south and west and Alagoas to the north, and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean...
), simply Matheus, is a Brazil
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 footballer who plays for FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Football Club Dnipro is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Dnipropetrovsk.-BRIT:The club's franchise traces its history all the way back when the first team that was formed in 1918 by the Petrovsky factory and was called as BRIT . The team participated in the regional competition...
in the Ukrainian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
The Ukrainian Premier League is the highest division of Ukrainian annual football championship. As the Supreme League it was founded in 1991 after the fold of the Soviet Union's Vysshaya Liga. In 2008 it was reformed into a more autonomous entity of the Football Federation of Ukraine and changed...
, as a forward.
Football career
After starting professionally with lowly Associação Olímpica de ItabaianaAssociação Olímpica de Itabaiana
Associação Olímpica de Itabaiana, also known as Itabaiana, are a Brazilian football team from Itabaiana, Sergipe. They competed in the Série A five times.- History :Itabaiana were founded on July 10, 1938, after Botafogo Sport Club folded...
, Matheus moved to Portugal
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...
in the summer of 2005, with second division
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
outfit Futebol Clube do Marco
F.C. Marco
Futebol Clube do Marco is a Portuguese football team based in Marco de Canaveses, Porto District. Founded in 1927, it currently plays in the Porto Regional Championship, holding home games at Estádio Municipal de Marco de Canaveses, which has a 10,000-seat capacity.-History:Futebol Clube do Marco...
. In January 2006, however, he was bought by top flight's Sporting Clube de Braga, making four appearances in his first season.
During the year 2007, encompassing both 2006–07 and the following seasons, Matheus served two loans: in January 2007, he played with Sport Clube Beira-Mar, appearing from August–December with 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...
, being subsequently recalled by Braga.
In the 2009–10 season, Matheus appeared in all 30 league matches (but rarely as a starter) as Braga finished in a best-ever second place, behind S.L. Benfica. He contributed with five goals, in 1142 minutes.
Matheus started the following campaign with major contributions: on 28 July, he scored from a 35-meter 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:...
to close the score against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
(3–0 at home), as Braga progressed to the next 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...
qualifying round (4–2 on aggregate). On 13 August, in the league opener against Portimonense SC
Portimonense S.C.
Portimonense Sporting Clube is a Portuguese football team based in Portimão. Founded on 14 August 1914, the club is one of the few professional clubs in the Algarve region, and currently plays in second division....
, he started and opened the scoresheet, in an eventual 3–1 home win; five days later, again for the Champions League, he scored the game's only goal in a home win against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
- in celebrating the goal, he pulled out a pacifier and put in his mouth- and opened the score in the second leg in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, in a 4–3 win (5–3 on aggregate).
On 23 November 2010, Matheus scored twice in the dying minutes of the 2–0 Champions League home win against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, although Braga would eventually fail to reach the knockout stages of the competition, finishing third in its group.
In January 2011, 28-year old Matheus left Braga and signed for FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Football Club Dnipro is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Dnipropetrovsk.-BRIT:The club's franchise traces its history all the way back when the first team that was formed in 1918 by the Petrovsky factory and was called as BRIT . The team participated in the regional competition...
in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, for €
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 million.