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Alex (footballer, born March 1982)

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Alex
Personal information
Full name Alex Raphael Meschini
Date of birth (1982-03-25) 25 March 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Cornélio Procópio, Brazil
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2001–2002 Guarani
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Guarani 40 (6)
2004–2009 Internacional 168 (56)
2009–2011 Spartak Moscow 54 (15)
2011–2012 Corinthians 32 (6)
2012–2013 Al-Gharafa 19 (5)
2013–2016 Internacional 93 (7)
International career‡
2008–2009 Brazil 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:05, 16 January 2017 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 January 2017

Alex Raphael Meschini (born 25 March 1982 in Cornélio Procópio) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder.

Early career

Meschini was born on 25 March 1982 in the town of Cornélio Procópio. His family are Italian descents when his grandmother on his father side came to Brazil.[clarification needed][1] By the time he was one year old, his family had relocated to Itambé, and relocated again to Santa Amélia when he was seven.[2] He has two brothers, who work in banking and agronomy respectively.[3]

At Santa Amélia, Meschini spent much of his childhood playing football; he played for Atlético Pirassunungense at age nine. His family once again relocated to Campinas, São Paulo. When he was sixteen, he signed for Primavera (where he was signed by his cousin). Meschini went on a trial to his future club Corinthians, only to be rejected. He was determined not to give up his football career.

Football career

Guarani

Meschini in a match against Kuban Krasnodar

Meschini joined Guarani in 2001 and played his first match in a youth match against Capivari. Upon joining Guarani, he recalled "We did not have enough to eat and ended up at a club partner of Guarani in disrepair." [4]

In 2003, he made his debut in the first team match against União Barbarense.[5] At Guarani, he quickly became a team regular, spent two seasons at 54 games and scored 7 goals. He also played left wing and was the main corner taker and as well, free kicks.[clarification needed]

Internacional

Meschini joined Internacional from Guarani on 11 March 2004 for a fee of 450,000 euro, signing a four-year deal.[6] Shortly after his move, he said, "It is an honour to play at a club with four Brazilian bonds and the largest crowd of the Rio Grande".

However, in August, his debut was delayed after suffering an ankle injury, resulting in being out for three months. Between 2004 and 2005, he was unable to establish himself in the first team. The following season, Meschini was in hospital due to injury, and by the end of the season, the club won the title of Campeonato Gaúcho. In February, he suffered an injury to his right knee, keeping him out for four months. During a match in Libertadores Cup, he suffered an injury on his pubis. While in the first team, he played in the positions of left midfielder and second striker.[7]

After recovering from the pubis injury, Meschini returned in a 1–0 win over Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo on 18 March 2006. After the match, he was voted the man of the match by the club's official website. In the second round of Libertadores, he played as a starter in a 2–1 win over Nacional. Since then, Meschini has established himself as a starter and key player under coach Abel Braga.

In the semi-final of Libertadores in the second leg after a 0–0 draw in the first leg, Meschini scored and helped the club, ending a long-awaited place in the final of the Libertadores against São Paulo. The club won the title 4–3 on aggregate.

"I became a winner and very happy with this comeback. Difficulties that were overcome with persistence. If you do not have a structure and not chasing their goals, it becomes increasingly difficult."

— Meschini on his comeback in the final
Meschini dribbling during a match

Because of the club's winning the Copa Libertadores, the club participated in the FIFA Club World Cup. Meschini suffered an injury, but eventually recovered and played an important role in the final as Internacional beat Barcelona 1–0.

After the tournament, he was linked with a move to Russian club CSKA Moscow after being recommended by Paulo Paixão, but the move never happened.[8]

The next season, Meschini suffered an injury to his muscles of both hips, resulting him out for two months. He recovered from the injury and was an important member of the team as he led the club winning the Recopa Sudamericana after beating Pachuca 5–2 on aggregate, which he scored on the penalty in the second leg.

In the summer transfer of 2007, he was linked with an 8 million move to German side Wolfsburg, but it never happened. Among those interested was Barcelona,[9] but they signed someone instead.

Once again in December, Meschini suffered a pubis injury caused by an inguinal hernia.

In his final season, he chose the number 10 shirt.[10]

Manager Braga began to put Meschini at the center of the field. In the Copa Sudamericana, he become a top scorer with 13 goals, along with Nilmar, and was voted the best player in the tournament. In the final of Copa Sudamericana Finals against Estudiantes, Meschini scored in the penalty, giving the only goal in the game in the first-leg. In the second-leg, the club won the Copa Sudamericana again after a 1–1 draw. On 6 July 2008, Meschini scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Coritiba.[citation needed] In the summer transfer of 2008, he was in the transfer spotlight when he was linked with a move to Spartak Moscow worth 14 million.[11] However, the potential buyers has not been reached.[clarification needed][12]

FC Spartak Moscow

Meschini training before a match
Meschini prepared to take a kick

He joined Spartak Moscow in February 2009 for worth 5 million and keeping him there, until 2013.[clarification needed][13] After leaving Brazil for Russia, Meschini explained his departure, stating the time had come for him to play in Europe and against his wishes to stay for the rest of his career at Internacional.[14] On 2 March 2009, he was presented by the club[15] and was given the number 12 shirt.[16]

Frankly, it is hard to leave home. However, in Internacional I accomplished a lot, so leave the team happy. Outcome of the negotiations about the transfer are good for me and for the club. (Spartak Moscow) this is an interesting team, the draft of which is the task to achieve success in European competitions.

— Meschini[17]

Meschini made his debut for the club, where he made his first start and played 90 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Zenit Saint Petersburg on the opening game of the season. Two weeks after the opening game of the season, he scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over Spartak Nalchik when he scored in a free-kick.[18] On 23 May 2009, he scored a brace in a 5–1 win over Amkar Perm. In his first season, he had an optimal season, with the club second place, missing out to become first place behind Rubin Kazan, who won the title for the second time, as Meschini made 29 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 9 assists. In a match against Amkar Perm, Meschini was given a captaincy and made a double assist in a 2–1 win.[19]

Meschini with teammates

The following season, Meschini did not make a bright start, as in the previous last season. In a match against Spartak Nalchik on 25 April 2010, he received a second bookable offence in a 0–0 draw. Due to lack of his performance earlier in the season, Manager Valery Karpin spoke out about Meschini, claiming he had a problem with psychology.[20] On 21 July 2010, Meschini made a fourth assist in a 5–3 win over Sibir Novosibirsk. With the departure of Martin Jiránek to Birmingham City in August, Meschini was named the new captain of Spartak after just one and a half seasons with the club. During a match against Alania Vladikavkaz on 15 October 2010, he scored in a penalty spot but suffered an injury on the muscles of his right thigh.[21] By 7 November, he made his return in a 1–1 draw against Rubin Kazan (which turned out to be the last league appearance of the season). In the Champions League campaign, he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Marseille on the opening game of the Group Stage. In the first game against MŠK Žilina, he set up a goal for Ari in a 3–0 win. In the second game, he scored and set up a goal for Ibson in a 2–1 win on the final game of the Group Stage, resulting the club going to the Europa League. At the end of the season, Meschini had made 27 games and scored 5 goals.

Meschini training as the ball is kicked in the background

The following season, Meschini made a few appearance until his move back to Brazil. He played his first match in the Europa League where he made a double assist in a 3–2 win over Basel in the first leg. The club advanced to the next round after a 1–1 draw in the second leg. Against Ajax, he scored twice in each leg and the club won both games against Ajax before losing to Porto in both leg 10–3 on aggregate. In the semi-final of the Russian Cup, he made his last appearance in a 5–4 loss against CSKA Moscow. In April 2011, he announced his intention to leave Spartak Moscow.[22] This was later explained as his wife was seven months pregnant and feared a miscarriage. However, his son was born prematurely and he needed to support his wife.[23] Meschini was also struggling with the freezing weather as another reason he wanted to leave despite being content on the pitch.[24] After leaving the club, he made his final interview and apologised to Spartak's fans.[25]

Meschini clapping after a match

Corinthians

On 13 May 2011, Spartak agreed the transfer of Meschini to Corinthians for 6 million and signed until 2014.[26] Four days later, on 17 May, he was presented by the club in São Paulo.[27]

"I'm back, but not because of lack of adaptation in Russia. In Russia, I was treated very well, even though I could not read, write or speak in Russian. It goes back to the fact that it was an offer from Corinthians, and also influenced by family matters. Also returning to Brazil can help me realize my dream of play at the World Cup. That is my choice. Spartak knew of my intentions. I can not say that I leave Spartak happy because was not able to win anything with this team. I hope the victory will come to me in Corinthians.

— Meschini on his return to Brazil[28]

One month since joining Corinthians on 30 June 2011, he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Bahia. 38 days later, he scored his first goal in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Paranaense. After scoring his first goal, he scored three more in three games.

During a match against Santos on 18 September in a 3–1 loss, Meschini collapsed on the field and was immediately taken to Hospital São Luiz. Despite serious concerns, he was released after no injuries were found by a CT scan.[29]

At the end of the season, the club won their first league title in six years and also won the Copa Libertadores Finals. In the final, Meschini played in attacking midfield in both legs.

For Corinthians, Ahelex played 56 games and scored nine goals.[30]

Al-Gharafa

Meschini training for Al-Gharafa

For €6M, on 17 July 2012, Meschini left Corinthians and was transferred to Qatari side Al-Gharafa,[31] where he joined his Brazilian compatriots Diego Tardelli and Afonso Alves. Two months after signing for the club, Meschini made his debut in a 2–0 loss against Al-Wakrah. On 21 October 2012, he scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over El Jaish. In January 2013, Nenê was recruited by Al-Gharafa from Paris Saint-Germain, meaning that Meschini had to leave the club as the foreign players' quota was reached, as announced on the Qatar Stars League official website.[32] However, the departure of Diego Tardelli a week later led to the reinstatement of Meschini, who would continue with Al-Gharafa until the end of the season.[33]

Return to Internacional

On 20 July 2013, just one day after joining Al-Gharafa the previous year, Meschini made a return to Internacional for worth €3 million and signed a deal with them, until 2015.[34][35]

International career

On 12 October 2008, Meschini replaced Kaká in 70th minute in the match against Venezuela to make his international debut.

Honours

Club

Internacional
Corinthians

Individual

Statistics

Club Season Brasileirão Série A Copa do Brasil Libertadores Copa Sudamericana State League Friendly Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Guarani 2003 40 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 19
2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 9 3
Internacional 2004 20 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 10
2005 23 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 10
2006 15 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 12
2007 28 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 10
2008 23 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 14
Club Season Russian Premier League Russian Cup UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League Others Friendly Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Spartak Moscow 2009 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 12
2010 22 3 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 28 3
2011 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Club Season Brasileirão Série A Copa do Brasil Libertadores Copa Sudamericana State League Friendly Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Corinthians 2011 28 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 6
2012 4 0 0 0 12 1 0 0 12 1 1 1 29 3
Club Season Qatar Stars League Emir of Qatar Cup AFC Champions League AFC Cup Others Friendly Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Al-Gharafa 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 235 124 0 0 16 1 2 0 21 4 1 1 275 102

Personal life

Meschini is married to Anna Paula, and has two sons: Lucas (born in 2006), and another (born in 2011).[37]

References

  1. ^ Алекс: "Поклонился спартаковским болельщикам" (in Russian). Red White.ru. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Alex gets space in Timon and Spikes: 'I'm sure I'll be at the World Cup'" (in Portuguese). Globeo Esporte.com. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Personal life Alex Meschini (in Russian:Личная жизнь Алекса Мескини)" (in Russian). Aleks.name. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Alex, the hillbilly of somersaults (in Portuguese:Alex, o caipira das cambalhotas)" (in Portuguese). vamovamointer.com. November 2006. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  5. ^ "INTER SIGNING OF REVELATION GUARANI-SP (in Portuguese:INTER CONTRATA REVELAÇÃO DO GUARANI-SP)" (in Portuguese). Official Website of Sport Club Internacional. 10 March 2004. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Results of the championship of Russia 2009. People's choice Alex (in Russian:Итоги чемпионата России 2009. Народный избранник Алекс.)" (in Russian). Kulichkakh. 27 December 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Virtual boar. Part II (in Russian:Виртуальный кабан. Часть II)" (in Russian). Tribune. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Brazilian coach ponders OFFER CSKA(in Russian:БРАЗИЛЬСКИЙ ТРЕНЕР ОБДУМЫВАЕТ ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЕ ЦСКА)" (in Russian). Sport Express. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Barcelona" interested in the lateral of the "International (in Russian:"Барселона" заинтересовалась латералем из "Интернасьоналя")" (in Russian). Sports.ru. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Heavy metal (in Russian:Тяжёлая артиллерия)" (in Russian). Chempionat.com. 21 February 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Valery Karpin: "SUMMER OF ALEX asks 14 million euro. Now we refer to the five" (in Russian:Валерий КАРПИН: "ЛЕТОМ ЗА АЛЕКСА ПРОСИЛИ 14 МИЛЛИОНОВ ЕВРО. СЕЙЧАС МЫ СОШЛИСЬ НА ПЯТИ")" (in Russian). Sport Express. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Nice to meet you (in Russian:Будем знакомы)" (in Russian). Chempionat.com. 1 March 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  13. ^ "FC SPARTAK AND INTER AGREE ON TRANSFER OF ALEX". FC Spartak Moscow. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Alex confirms hit with Russians and says goodbye to Inter (in Russian:Alex confirma acerto com russos e dá adeus ao Inter)" (in Portuguese). Gaucho. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Alex arrived at the location of "Spartacus" (in Russian:Алекс прибыл в расположение "Спартака")" (in Russian). Championat.com. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  16. ^ ""Spartacus", presented Brazilian rookie Alex (in Russian:"Спартак" представил бразильского новичка Алекса)" (in Russian). Championat.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Alex: leave the "Internacional" happy (in Russian:Алекс: покидаю "Интернасьонал" счастливым)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  18. ^ "Brazilian trio brought "Spartacus" first victory (in Russian:Бразильское трио принесло "Спартаку" первую победу)" (in Russian). Sport-Express. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  19. ^ "Karpin: the quality of the game, as usual, the need to improve (in Russian:Карпин: качество игры, как обычно, нужно улучшать)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 4 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  20. ^ "Karpin: guess Alex problem with psychology (in Russian:Карпин: предполагаю, что у Алекса проблемы с психологией)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  21. ^ "Alex was out of action for a period of 10 to 14 days (in Russian:Алекс выбыл из строя на срок от 10 до 14 дней)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 17 October 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  22. ^ "Alex: to reflect on the care, if not win anything this season (in Russian:Алекс: задумаюсь над уходом, если ничего не выиграю в этом сезоне)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 5 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  23. ^ "Operation Anti-Brazilian (in Russian:Операция "Анти-бразилец")" (in Russian). Sportbox.ru. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  24. ^ "Spartak Moscow's Alex set to join Corinthians". Goal.com. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  25. ^ "Alex: I want to apologize to the fans of "Spartacus" (in Russian:Алекс: хочу извиниться перед болельщиками "Спартака")" (in Russian). Championat.com. 25 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  26. ^ ""Corinthians" Spartacus Alex offered for €6,000,000 (in Russian:"Коринтианс" предложил за спартаковца Алекса € 6 млн)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  27. ^ ""Corinthians" officially announced the signing of Alex (in Russian:"Коринтианс" официально объявил о подписании Алекса)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  28. ^ "Alex: I can not say that I left the "Spartacus" happy (in Russian:Алекс: не могу сказать, что я покинул "Спартак" счастливым)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  29. ^ "Alex passes out on the field and let the lawn ambulance; health is good (in Portuguese: desmaia em campo e deixa o gramado de ambulância; estado de saúde é bom)" (in Portuguese). Esporte UOL. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  30. ^ "Alex goes to training and goodbye colleagues at Corinthians (in Portuguese:Alex goes to training and goodbye colleagues at Corinthians)" (in Portuguese). Esporte Terra. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  31. ^ "Former Spartak Alex officially became a player of Qatari club "Al-Gharafa" (in Russian:Экс-спартаковец Алекс официально стал игроком катарского клуба "Аль-Гарафа")" (in Russian). Championat.com. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  32. ^ "Time Running Out For Teams To Buy". www.qsl.com.qa. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Tardelli leaves Gharafa". dohastadiumplusqatar.com. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  34. ^ "Internacional sign Al-Gharafa midfielder Alex". Samba Foot. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  35. ^ "International confirms hiring of Alex and Scocco" [Internacional confirma contratações de Alex e Scocco] (in Portuguese). Terra Brazil. 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  36. ^ "Hexacampeão, São Paulo domina também o Prêmio Craque Brasileirão" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  37. ^ "Spartak's Alex flew to Brazil, where he had a son (in Russian:Спартаковец Алекс вылетел в Бразилию, где у него родился сын)" (in Russian). Championat.com. 22 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
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