Diego Ribas

Diego Ribas
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Name	Diego Ribas
Fullname	Diego Ribas da Cunha
Birth date	1985-02-28
Birth place	Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Height	1.72 m
Position	Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1	1997–2002
Youthclubs1	Santos FC
Years1	2002–2004
Clubs1	Santos FC
Years2	2004–2006
Clubs2	FC Porto
Years3	2006–2009
Clubs3	Werder Bremen
Years4	2009–2011
Clubs4	VfL Wolfsburg
Years5	2011–2017
Clubs5	AC Milan
Years6	2012–2014
Clubs6	Internazionale (loan)
Years7	2014–2017
Clubs7	Atlético Madrid (loan/transfer)
Years8	2017–2019
Clubs8	Flamengo
Nationalyears1	2003–2005
Nationalteam1	Brazil U20
Nationalyears2	2003–2017
Nationalteam2	Brazil

Diego Ribas is a Brazilian professional footballer born in Ribeirão Preto who played as an attacking midfielder for clubs across Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and represented Brazil at senior and youth levels. Known for playmaking, dribbling, and set-piece delivery, he featured prominently in championship campaigns for Santos FC, FC Porto, Werder Bremen, Atlético Madrid, and CR Flamengo. Throughout his career he combined technical ability with tactical versatility, participating in continental competitions such as the Copa Libertadores, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League.

Early life and youth career

Born in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo, Diego began his football education at the Santos FC youth academy, a club famous for producing talent like Pelé, Neymar, Robinho, and Kaká. He rose through the ranks alongside contemporaries who later played for clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Manchester United F.C., and AC Milan. During youth tournaments he attracted attention from scouts representing FIFA, CONMEBOL, and European clubs including FC Porto and Chelsea F.C..

Club career

Diego made his professional debut with Santos FC and contributed to squads competing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores alongside teammates linked to transfers to FC Barcelona, Manchester City F.C., and Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. His performances earned a move to FC Porto, a club with recent successes under managers like José Mourinho and Co Adriaanse, where he featured in the Primeira Liga and European competition with teammates who later joined Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich. A transfer to Werder Bremen saw him adapt to the Bundesliga, playing alongside players who would move to Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and FC Schalke 04.

He later signed for VfL Wolfsburg, a club that had emerged as a contender in Germany following a Bundesliga title and with links to players moving to Juventus F.C. and Chelsea F.C.. Diego then joined AC Milan and spent time on loan at Internazionale and later at Atlético Madrid, contributing in La Liga and continental competitions such as the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League, where he faced clubs like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, and Bayern Munich. Returning to Brazil, he signed for CR Flamengo, where he played in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and helped the club in the Copa Libertadores campaigns against opponents such as River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Palmeiras.

International career

Diego represented Brazil U20 at youth tournaments including events organized by CONMEBOL and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He earned senior caps for Brazil, appearing in friendlies and qualification matches overseen by CBF coaches and competing alongside midfielders who starred for FC Barcelona, Juventus F.C., Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and Manchester United F.C.. His international career intersected with major tournaments such as the Copa América and preparatory cycles for the FIFA World Cup.

Style of play

Diego was primarily deployed as an attacking midfielder and trequartista, operating in systems favored by managers like Jupp Heynckes, Rafael Benítez, and Diego Simeone. He was noted for short passing, vision, and set-piece delivery similar to playmakers at Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, and FC Barcelona. Coaches compared his role to traditional number 10s who influenced matches in competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and national leagues including La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga.

Career statistics

Diego's club career spanned appearances in competitions including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Primeira Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga, as well as continental tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores. Internationally, he accumulated caps for Brazil across friendlies and continental fixtures organized by CONMEBOL. His goal and assist tallies placed him among midfield creators who transferred between top clubs such as FC Porto, Werder Bremen, AC Milan, and Atlético Madrid.

Honours and achievements

Across club and international play, Diego won domestic titles and continental trophies with teams competing in tournaments like the Primeira Liga, Bundesliga, La Liga, and the Copa Libertadores. Individual recognitions connected him to award lists that include players honored by IFFHS, L'Équipe, and national football associations. He played in squads that faced continental rivals such as River Plate, Boca Juniors, Real Madrid CF, and FC Barcelona.

Personal life

Diego's personal life drew attention in the media outlets covering Brazilian football, including newspapers in São Paulo and national broadcasters like Rede Globo and ESPN Brasil. His career involved transfers negotiated with agents and clubs from countries including Portugal, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and he maintained connections with academies like Santos FC and national programs run by CBF.

Category:1985 births Category:Brazilian footballers Category:Association football midfielders