Wendel Geraldo Maurício da Silva
Encyclopedia
Wendel Geraldo Maurício e Silva, commonly known as Wendel, (born 8 April 1982) is a Brazil
ian left winger
or left wingback
. He currently plays in Saudi Arabia
for Al-Ittihad.
in 1998 with the youth team. By 2000 he began featuring in some matches for the senior side. In 2005 he was loaned out to Santos on an 18 month deal. After a successful spell there, Wendel secured a move to Bordeaux from Cruzeiro in August 2006.
to score from outside the area. Then again against Nantes he set up a goal. After four games he finally opened his account by scoring against Nice, following this up by scoring again three days later, against Le Havre AC
in a 2–2 draw. Bordeaux went on to win the Ligue 1, the club's first title triumph since 1999, and Coupe de la Ligue trophies in 2009 under the management of Laurent Blanc
. In the Coupe de la Ligue Final, Wendel opened the scoring in the third minute against Ligue 2
side Vannes OC
. This proved the winning goal in a 4-0 triumph for his side. Wendel appeared in 29 games that season, starting 25 of them, and added 4 goals and 9 assists. The 2009-10 campaign for Bordeaux was less successful for the club, as they could not retain their league or league cup trophies. However Wendel was very productive in the league from his wide position, scoring 11 goals and adding 6 assists. The following season proved even more difficult after the departures of Marouane Chamakh
and Gourcuff. Wendel's last appearance for the club came on 29 May 2011, in the final match of the 2010-11 Ligue 1 season. He capped his final performance with a goal in a 2-0 victory over Montpellier HSC
that ensured Bordeaux finished the season in 7th.
and PSG. After his departure he signed for Saudi Arabian side
Al-Ittihad.
. Wendel received French nationality
in 2011 and it was reported that he desired to play for France
, however in fact he is ineligible to play for a national team other than his native Brazil because he only held Brazilian nationality when he represented 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 left winger
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or left wingback
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He currently plays in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
for Al-Ittihad.
Club career
Wendel started his career with Cruzeiro Esporte ClubeCruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
in 1998 with the youth team. By 2000 he began featuring in some matches for the senior side. In 2005 he was loaned out to Santos on an 18 month deal. After a successful spell there, Wendel secured a move to Bordeaux from Cruzeiro in August 2006.
Bordeaux
Soon after he signed for Bordeaux, he broke into the first team and by the end of his first season he had played a total of 29 league games with 5 goals. He was much more active in his second season scoring 12 league goals in 36 league games. The 2008-09 started brightly for Wendel as he started every game. In the season opener against Caen he had a free-kick on target in the early minutes, had an open shot on target and then set up Yoann GourcuffYoann Gourcuff
Yoann Miguel Gourcuff is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1. He operates mainly as an attacking midfielder, but can also be utilized as a withdrawn striker and is described as a "playmaker of real quality" who "is an accomplished...
to score from outside the area. Then again against Nantes he set up a goal. After four games he finally opened his account by scoring against Nice, following this up by scoring again three days later, against Le Havre AC
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
in a 2–2 draw. Bordeaux went on to win the Ligue 1, the club's first title triumph since 1999, and Coupe de la Ligue trophies in 2009 under the management of Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
. In the Coupe de la Ligue Final, Wendel opened the scoring in the third minute against Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
side Vannes OC
Vannes OC
Vannes Olympique Club is a French association football club based in Vannes. The club was formed relatively late in 1998 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Vannes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Rabine located within the city...
. This proved the winning goal in a 4-0 triumph for his side. Wendel appeared in 29 games that season, starting 25 of them, and added 4 goals and 9 assists. The 2009-10 campaign for Bordeaux was less successful for the club, as they could not retain their league or league cup trophies. However Wendel was very productive in the league from his wide position, scoring 11 goals and adding 6 assists. The following season proved even more difficult after the departures of Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh is a French-Moroccan footballer who plays for English club Arsenal in the Premier League and the Moroccan national team as a striker. He is described as a prototypical target man and is noted for his "tall stature" and "excellent heading ability".Chamakh started his career...
and Gourcuff. Wendel's last appearance for the club came on 29 May 2011, in the final match of the 2010-11 Ligue 1 season. He capped his final performance with a goal in a 2-0 victory over Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
that ensured Bordeaux finished the season in 7th.
Al-Ittihad
After five seasons in the southwest of France, Wendel moved on in August 2011. During his time with Les Girondins he scored 35 goals in 156 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring hat tricks against Toulouse FCToulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
and PSG. After his departure he signed for Saudi Arabian side
Saudi Premier League
The Saudi Professional League, officially known as , is the main football competition in Saudi Arabia. The first competition was held in the year of 1976–77...
Al-Ittihad.
International
Wendel capped for Brazil at 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament
-Group B:-------------------------------------Playoffs:-----Final stage:---------------------Scorers:5 goals Sergio Herrera...
. Wendel received French nationality
French nationality law
French nationality law is historically based on the principles of jus soli , according to Ernest Renan's definition, in opposition to the German's definition of nationality, Jus sanguinis , formalized by Fichte.The 1993 Méhaignerie Law required children born in France of foreign parents to request...
in 2011 and it was reported that he desired to play for France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, however in fact he is ineligible to play for a national team other than his native Brazil because he only held Brazilian nationality when he represented Brazil.
Honours
- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 2008-09 - Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
: 2007, 2009 - Trophée des ChampionsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
: 20082008 Trophée des ChampionsThe 2008 Trophée des Champions Final was a football match that saw the 2007-08 Ligue 1 and Coupe de France champions Olympique Lyonnais face off against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Since Lyon won both the league and the Coupe de France, they faced the club that finished in second place in Ligue 1...
, 20092009 Trophée des ChampionsThe 2009 Trophée des Champions Final was a football match that was played on 25 July 2009. The match contested the winners of 2008–09 Coupe de France, En Avant Guingamp, and the 2008–09 Ligue 1 champions, FC Girondins de Bordeaux...
Statistics
Correct as of 7 March 2010| Season | Team | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 2006/07 | Bordeaux | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 35 | 5 |
| 2007/08 Ligue 1 2007-08 The 2007–08 Ligue 1 season is the seventieth since its establishment, and started in August 2007 and ended on 17 May 2008. The fixtures were announced in June 2007. Lyon became French champions, having won a record seventh consecutive title .... |
36 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 41 | 12 | |
| 2008/09 Ligue 1 2008-09 The 2008–09 Ligue 1 season was the 71st since its establishment. Bordeaux became champions for the sixth time on the last weekend of the season. The fixtures were announced on 23 May 2008. The season began on 9 August 2008 and ended on 30 May 2009... |
29 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 41 | 7 | |
| 2009/10 | 22 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 37 | 11 | |
| Total | 114 | 27 | 10 | 6 | 26 | 2 | 150 | 35 | |