 Júlio César with Internazionale in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Júlio César Soares de Espíndola | ||
| Date of birth | 3 September 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Duque de Caxias, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Queens Park Rangers | ||
| Number | 33 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Grajau CC | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2005 | Flamengo | 130 | (0) |
| 2005–2012 | Internazionale | 228 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Chievo (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2012– | Queens Park Rangers | 24 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2003– | Brazil | 77 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 January 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:24, 30 June 2013 (UTC) | |||
Júlio César Soares de Espíndola (born 3 September 1979), commonly known as simply Júlio César (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒuʎu ˈsezaɾ]), is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. He also represents the Brazilian national team, having won 76 international caps, and appeared at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He spent seven years at Italian club Internazionale, where he won five Scudetti, the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League and the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup. He was awarded the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year title in both 2009 and 2010,[1] and was nominated for the 2009 Ballon d'Or, where he was voted into 21st place.[2]
Contents
[hide]Club career[edit]
Flamengo[edit]
Júlio César began his professional career with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in 1997 as the understudy to veteran Clemer. In the following season Júlio César appeared much more frequently, secured a spot in the starting lineup and became Flamengo first-choice goalkeeper. By 2000, he was the Rubro-Negro's undisputed first choice goalkeeper and went on to win the Campeonato Carioca four times. His impressive form culminated in him being named as Brazil's first choice goalkeeper for the 2004 Copa América. During his time with Flamengo he became a fan favourite due to his love for the club and talent between the sticks. Júlio César's run at Flamengo finished in 2005 after he had recorded 130 appearances.
Chievo Verona[edit]
In January 2005, Júlio César moved to Italian Serie A club Chievo Verona via Internazionale. Due to Serie A rules which impose a cap on the number of non-EU players clubs can sign from abroad, Júlio César could not join Inter at the time. He was then initially registered to Chievo through a deal between Chievo and Inter.[3] At Chievo he would have to compete with veteran Luca Marchegiani for the number-one jersey. During his six months in Verona, he was down the goalkeeping pecking order, with Marchegiani as first choice, and failed to make an appearance. Despite his lack of club action, he was regularly named in the Brazilian national team, where he served as second-choice goalkeeper behind A.C. Milan's Dida.
Internazionale[edit]
In July 2005, following the deal between Chievo and Inter, Júlio César officially signed a three-year contract with Internazionale.[4] The deal cost Inter €2.45 million.[5] During the 2005–06 season, which opened with a victory in the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus, he was initially used as a reserve for Francesco Toldo, but he soon established himself ahead as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. As Inter went on to finish third in Serie A, behind Juventus and city rivals Milan, they were later awarded the national title due to the sanctions imposed on Juventus and Milan following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.
In the 2006–07 season, Roberto Mancini, Inter's coach at the time, confirmed Júlio César as his starting goalkeeper. Able to fend off two penalties in succession against Ascoli and Siena, throughout the season he was a source of security for his side, which dominated the Serie A finishing with 97 points, still the current Serie A point record, and also setting an amazing record of 17 consecutive wins.
In the 2007–08 season, Júlio César remained in the starting spot, winning his third title since arriving in Italy, the sixteenth for Inter. On 25 August 2008 he won the Supercoppa against Roma: the game ended 8–7 after penalty shoot-out, during which the Brazilian saved a penalty kick from Juan, being decisive for the result.
In the 2008–09 season he won his fourth consecutive Scudetto with the Nerazzurri. In 2009, he was included in the list of 30 candidates for the Ballon d'Or, finishing 21st.
In July 2009, Júlio César was chosen by ESPN Brasil as the best player of the 2008–09 season. He also received the Prêmio Futebol no Mundo (Football in the World Award).[6]
In November 2009, he signed a contract with Inter which would last until 2014, adding two more years to his contract.[7] His impressive form for Inter earned him praise from former Inter and Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca, who stated his belief that Júlio César was the best goalkeeper in the world.[8]
In the 2009–10 season, Júlio César and Inter won a treble of the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. Júlio César's contributions to the team's success saw him named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year and UEFA's Best Goalkeeper.
At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, following Francesco Toldo's retirement, Júlio César changed his squad number from 12 to the newly vacated 1. Inter won the Supercoppa, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Coppa Italia but failed to defend their Serie A and Champions League titles.
On 1 October 2011, Júlio César made his 200th Serie A appearance in a 3–0 loss against Napoli.
On 6 May 2012, in the derby match against Milan, he reached 300 appearances in all competitions with Inter, wearing a shirt celebrating the inscription "300 appearances, 300 stories." The match ended with a 4–2 victory for Inter.
Inter ended the 2011–12 season in sixth place, with the team just five goals short of equalling their all-time worst concession in a single Serie A campaign.[9] With some critics believing Júlio César had declined in form since the 2009–10 season,[10] Inter signed Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovič from Udinese to take over as first-choice goalkeeper.[11]
On 31 July 2012, Júlio César stated his intention to leave Inter, saying: "They have been seven beautiful and successful years, but, in a few days, my adventure with the Inter shirt will end. I would like to thank all of you fans for the support you have given me and I hope you have a lot more success to enjoy."[12]
Queens Park Rangers[edit]
On 29 August 2012, Júlio César confirmed that he had signed for Premier League club Queens Park Rangers on a four-year contract.[13] He made his debut for Rangers against London rivalsChelsea on 15 September in a goalless draw and quickly established himself as the team's first choice goalkeeper, leaving fellow new signing, England international, Robert Green dropped to the substitutes bench.
On 28 April 2013, Queens Park Rangers were relegated to the Football League Championship after a goalless draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium. Júlio César impressed at Loftus Roaddespite the side's struggles in the Premier League and was recalled to the Brazil squad by new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Following QPR's relegation from the Premier League, César became frozen out of the team and did not get receive a place on the bench. Despite this he did not leave the club before the summer transfer window closed.
International career[edit]
Júlio César's international career began in 2003, when he was often called up as a backup to Dida. He was also included in Brazil team for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, but did not play. His first international appearance came during the Copa América in 2004. He played in all six matches in the tournament as first-choice goalkeeper, as Dida chose to sit out the tournament. In the final match against Argentina, which went on to be decided by penalty shootout, Júlio César blocked Argentina's first penalty kick and Brazil went on to win 4–2.
Júlio César still was the backup goalkeeper for Brazil for the next three years, however, earning only seven caps in the period. He was left out of the Brazilian squad for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2007 Copa América, but was included in the 2006 World Cup squad as third-choice goalkeeper behind Dida and veteran Rogério Ceni.
After the World Cup and the international retirement of Dida, the competition to become Brazil's new first-choice goalkeeper began. He initially was out of favour, as new coach Dunga preferredHeurelho Gomes of Tottenham Hotspur, Helton of FC Porto, and Doni of Roma ahead of him. He forced his way into the team, however, and finally replaced Doni as first-choice goalkeeper in September 2007.
Júlio César's next international tournament was 2009 Confederations Cup. The tournament was won by Brazil, who retained the trophy they won in 2005 by defeating the United States 3–2 in the final.
Júlio César was named in coach Dunga's final squad of 23 for the Brazilian squad in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. This was his second World Cup. In the quarter-finals, Netherlands won 2–1 over Brazil with Wesley Sneijder scoring two goals, and Brazil were ultimately eliminated from the tournament. Júlio César was heavily criticised for his performance in this match, following a goalkeeping blunder that resulted in the first goal for the Dutch, providing them with the momentum to go on and win the match. Júlio César came off his line to intercept a cross from Sneijder, but uncharacteristically missed the ball (shared the blame with Felipe Melo), allowing the cross to pass into the goal without a touch from Júlio César.
After good performances with QPR, Júlio César earned an international recall for the friendly against England on 6 February 2013 which finished 2–1 with Rooney and Lampard scoring two unstoppable goals. He was then called up for a friendly match against Italy which finished 2–2 after some great saves by Júlio César. On 25 March Júlio César played the full 90 minutes in an international friendly 1–1 draw with Russia, with goals from Viktor Faizulin after a long goal-mouth scramble in the 73rd minute and a stoppage time goal from Fred to level the score at 1–1 in a match where Júlio César was kept reasonably busy.
Júlio César was part of the 23 players called by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to play in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He played three matches in Group A and kept two clean sheets. In the semifinal against Uruguay, Júlio César saved a penalty kick taken by Diego Forlán in the 14th minute. Brazil went to win the match by 2–1, and Júlio César was named man of the match.[14][15]On the 30th June, Júlio Cesar's Brazil won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in a 3-0 win over Spain. Júlio César won the tournament's Golden Glove for his excellent performances in goal keeping 3 clean sheets, the tournament's best.
On the 11th of September Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari confirmed that Júlio César will definitely be going to the 2014 World Cup.
Career statistics[edit]
Club[edit]
- As of 30 January 2013[16]
| Club | League | Cup[17] | Continental[18] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Flamengo | 1997 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 26 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 37 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| Total | 130 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 163 | 0 | |
| Chievo | 2004–05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Internazionale | 2005–06 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 54 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| Total | 228 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 300 | 0 | |
| Queens Park Rangers | 2012–13 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 26 | 0 | |
| Total | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| Career totals | 382 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 489 | 0 | |
International[edit]
| National team | Club | Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Flamengo | 2004 | 9 | 0 |
| Chievo | 2004–05 | 1 | 0 | |
| Internazionale | 2005–06 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | 4 | 0 | ||
| QPR | 2012–13 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 75 | 0 | ||
Honours[edit]
Club[edit]
- Flamengo
- Copa Mercosul (1): 1999
- Copa dos Campeões (1): 2001
- Campeonato Carioca (4): 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004
- Taça Guanabara (3): 1999, 2001, 2004
- Taça Rio (1): 2000
- Internazionale
- Serie A (5): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
- Coppa Italia (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Supercoppa Italiana (4): 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010
- UEFA Champions League (1): 2009–10
- 2010 FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2010
International[edit]
- Brazil
- Copa América (1): 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup (2): 2009, 2013
- Lunar New Year Cup (1): 2005
Individual[edit]
- Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year (2): 2008–09, 2009–10
- UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year (1): 2009–10
- Confederation Cup 2013: Golden Glove
- FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team (1): 2013
Personal life[edit]
Júlio César is married to Brazilian model and actress Susana Werner. Together, they have two children; Cauet, born in 2002, and Giulia, born in 2005. They both go to ACS Hillingdon International School.[22] He is sponsored by Asics.
