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Giovanni (footballer, born 1972)

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Giovanni
File:Giovanni.Silva.de.Oliveira.jpg
Giovanni with Olympiacos (1999)
Personal information
Full name Giovanni Silva de Oliveirra
Date of birth (1972-02-04) February 4, 1972 (age 52)
Place of birth Abaetetuba, Brasil
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Attacking Midfielder
Youth career
1989–1991 Tuna Luso
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1991 Taça Luz 23 (29)
1992–1993 Tuna Luso 47 (24)
1993 Remo 15 (9)
1993–1994 Paysandu 12 (10)
1994 Sãocarlense 18 (8)
1994–1996 Santos 36 (37)
1996–1999 Barcelona 68 (18)
1999–2005 Olympiacos 129 (61)
2005–2006 Santos 27 (4)
2006 Al Hilal 20 (17)
2006–2007 Ethnikos 8 (3)
2007 Sport 0 (0)
2008–2009 Mogi Mirim 12 (6)
2010 Santos 8 (1)
Total 423 (227)
International career
1995–1999 Brazil 20 (6)
Managerial career
2012–2016 Olympiacos (Scout)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Giovanni Silva de Oliveira (born February 4, 1972 in Abaetetuba), better known as Giovanni, is a retired football player from Brazil. His natural and favorite position was as an attacking midfielder, but he could also play as a forward, being an exceptional goalscorer. He was known for his world-class technique, his exceptional dribbling and variety of crafty moves, his outstanding creativity, as well as his passing and scoring ability. He played (most notably) for FC Barcelona, Olympiacos F.C. and Santos. Internationally, he played for the Brazilian national team, gaining 20 caps and scoring 6 goals.

Giovanni was part of the 1998 Brazilian team that reached the World Cup Final.

In his prime, he was one of Barcelona's most valuable players, but after the arrival of Louis van Gaal at the club, he got into conflict with the Dutch manager, along with fellow Brazilians Rivaldo (whom van Gaal wanted to use as left winger, despite his protests) and Sonny Anderson. He famously called van Gaal "a Hitler for Brazilians, and an egomaniac".[1] At Olympiacos Giovanni had the happiest and most successful days of his career, and is still remembered as a club legend by supporters.[2]

Club career

Career in Brazil

Born in Abaetetuba, Giovanni started his career in 1991 at Tuna Luso. In 1993, he scored 24 goals, before joining Remo, Paysandu and Sãocarlense before moving to top Brazilian club Santos in 1995.

Santos

Pelé himself paid for his transfer, and proclaimed him the "new Pelé".

In his first season he scored in just over half of the games he played, while in his second he notched 25 goals in 19 games. The peak of his career wearing Pelé's number 10 jersey was when he led Santos to the second place in the Brazilian Championship. In the semi-finals against Fluminense, Santos lost 4–1 in the first leg away, and Giovanni dyed his hair red to show faith in the team.

He displayed a splendid game in the second leg and Santos managed to win 5–2, with Giovanni scoring twice and assisting on the final Marcelo Passos goal. Unfortunately, he could not help Santos overcome Botafogo in the final game. Nonetheless, he is still known to many Santos supporters as "Messias" (Messiah) and his fans named themselves "Giovanni's witnesses" – similar to a religion, "Jehovah's witnesses".[3]

Barcelona

After Santos FC, he moved to the Spanish club FC Barcelona in 1996. He was a first team regular for two seasons and scored 18 goals overall. Barcelona fans still remember him for his ability to score game-winning goals against Real Madrid. In his first year with Barcelona he won the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup under manager Bobby Robson.[4] When Louis van Gaal took the lead, however, he eventually fell out of favor, alongside Sonny Anderson, in his third year at the club, despite scoring crucial goals in games such as the 1997 UEFA Super Cup second leg game against Borussia Dortmund.[5][6] Therefore, he left for Greek club Olympiacos for a record transfer bid of 10.800.000 £ in the summer of 1999. Later on in his career, he caused some controversy, by referring to Van Gaal as a Hitler for Brazilians, and an egomaniac.[1]

Olympiacos

In Greece, he soon established himself as one of the best players of the Greek league.

A flamboyant striker, he was known for his inventive dribbling, his passing range, his ability to lob the goalkeeper and pass the ball through defender's legs (nutmeg). His technique and the variety of fascinating moves made Olympiacos fans think of him as one of the most talented players in their team and love him as a hero. His skills earned him the nickname "magos" (μάγος) "wizard" in Greece.[7][8]

He was the leading goalscorer in Greece in the 2003–2004 season with 21 goals.

In 2005 Giovanni returned to Santos, playing alongside Robinho. With discrete performances in 29 games, he was told to leave at the end of the season by trainer Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

After return

After his short return in Brazil, the striker played for a clubs like, Al-Hilal, Ethnikos, Sport Club do Recife and Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube. Finally, he decided to return to Santos again, where he still maintained his godlike status, even though he didn't play well in 2005.

Return to Santos

After passing the medical exams, Giovanni returned to Santos in January 2010. Although playing very few matches, he finally managed to win his first title with Santos, the Campeonato Paulista. In 09/10 he announced his retirement.[9]

International team

Giovanni has earned 20 caps with the Brazilian national team. He has scored 6 goals for the "seleção". He played during the 1998 World Cup in France.[10]

Honours

Club

Clube do Remo
FC Barcelona
Olympiacos
Al-Hilal
Sport
Santos FC

International

Personal

References

  1. ^ a b "Smakeloze Giovanni: "Van Gaal is net Hitler"". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  2. ^ "Τζιοβάνι: Αφιέρωμα στον μάγο που δεν θα ξεχάσουμε ποτέ". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  3. ^ http://terceirotempo.bol.uol.com.br/quefimlevou/qfl/sobre/giovanni-messias-4254.html
  4. ^ 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  5. ^ uefa.com (April 1, 1998). "UEFA Super Cup - History – UEFA.com". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  6. ^ 1997 UEFA Super Cup
  7. ^ Interactive, Pegasus. "Ο μάγος Τζιοβάνι γράφει για τα μαγικά του στην Ελλάδα!". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. ^ http://www.gavros.gr/article/54833/timh-ston-mago-tziobani/
  9. ^ "Giovanni não jogará mais pelo Santos, e diretoria prepara despedida". Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  10. ^ Giovanni – FIFA competition record (archived)
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