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| Thiago Neves | |
|---|---|
| Name | Thiago Neves |
| Fullname | Thiago Neves Augusto |
| Birth date | 27 February 1985 |
| Birth place | Rio de Janeiro |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Attacking midfielder, winger |
| Youthyears1 | 1995–2002 |
| Youthclubs1 | Madureira |
| Youthyears2 | 2002–2004 |
| Youthclubs2 | Fluminense |
| Years1 | 2004–2007 |
| Clubs1 | Fluminense |
| Years2 | 2005–2006 |
| Clubs2 | Al-Hilal |
| Years3 | 2007–2008 |
| Clubs3 | Hamburger SV |
| Years4 | 2008–2009 |
| Clubs4 | Fluminense |
| Years5 | 2009–2013 |
| Clubs5 | Al-Hilal |
| Years6 | 2011–2012 |
| Clubs6 | Fluminense |
| Years7 | 2013–2014 |
| Clubs7 | Cruzeiro |
| Years8 | 2014 |
| Clubs8 | Al-Jazira |
| Years9 | 2015–2017 |
| Clubs9 | Cruzeiro |
| Years10 | 2017–2018 |
| Clubs10 | Grêmio |
| Years11 | 2018 |
| Clubs11 | São Paulo |
| Years12 | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs12 | Sport Recife |
| Nationalyears1 | 2008–2011 |
| Nationalteam1 | Brazil |
Thiago Neves is a Brazilian professional footballer known for his playmaking, goal-scoring and set-piece ability who spent his career at major clubs in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Germany and the United Arab Emirates. Emerging from Rio de Janeiro academies, he combined technique and movement to feature for Fluminense FC, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Al-Hilal SFC, and the Brazil national football team. His career includes domestic titles, international club trophies and appearances at major competitions such as the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Thiago progressed through local youth systems beginning at Madureira Esporte Clube before joining Fluminense FC's academy. As a teenager he trained at facilities influenced by Brazilian coaching figures linked to clubs such as Vasco da Gama, CR Flamengo and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, and competed in youth tournaments that have produced stars like Kaká, Robinho and Neymar. During his formative years he attracted attention from domestic scouts and agents associated with transfers to European football and Middle East football markets, prompting early moves that mirrored contemporaries such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano.
His senior breakthrough came at Fluminense FC, where he featured alongside players like Fred and under coaches resembling the tactical approaches of Muricy Ramalho and Carlos Alberto Parreira. A loan to Al-Hilal SFC introduced him to the Saudi Pro League and culminated in notable performances paralleled by compatriots such as Diego Souza and Júnior, leading to a transfer to Hamburger SV in Bundesliga competition. In Germany he encountered coaching staff and teammates connected to figures like Felix Magath and Rafael van der Vaart, but limited impact prompted a return to Fluminense FC.
A second, longer spell at Al-Hilal SFC established him as a leading foreign player in Asian Football Confederation competitions, contributing to campaigns against clubs such as Al-Ittihad and Persepolis F.C.. Returning to Brazil with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, he became central to title-winning squads in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores-contending seasons, forming attacking partnerships reminiscent of duos like Alex and Palhinha. Brief moves to Al-Jazira Club in the UAE Pro League and later stints at Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, São Paulo FC and Sport Club do Recife rounded his domestic career, where he competed with and against players tied to clubs such as Internacional, Santos FC, Atlético Mineiro and Corinthians.
Selected for the Brazil national football team between 2008 and 2011, Thiago took part in tournaments connected to Brazil's campaigns under managers like Dunga, featuring in squads alongside Kaká, Robinho, Luis Fabiano and Daniel Alves. He was included in Brazil's setup during the FIFA Confederations Cup cycle and participated in friendlies and qualifying fixtures tied to competitions such as the Copa América and FIFA World Cup cycles. His international tenure saw him compete against national teams like Argentina national football team, Chile national football team and Uruguay national football team and train under staff with links to César Sampaio and Muricy Ramalho.
Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder and occasional winger, he combined attributes associated with Brazilian playmakers such as Zico, Kaká and Juninho Pernambucano: vision, dribbling and dead-ball proficiency. Analysts compared his off-the-ball intelligence to players like Paulo Henrique Ganso and his finishing to forwards such as Diego Costa in certain phases, while critics cited consistency issues paralleling debates around contemporaries like Lucas Leiva and Adriano. Supporter reception varied across clubs, with fans from Fluminense FC and Cruzeiro Esporte Clube praising decisive goals while observers in Bundesliga media and UAE Pro League coverage noted adaptation challenges.
Club appearances and goals span domestic leagues in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Germany and the United Arab Emirates, plus continental competitions under CONMEBOL and AFC jurisdiction. Internationally he recorded caps and goals for Brazil national football team across friendlies and tournament squads, facing teams such as France national football team, Spain national football team and Netherlands national football team. Season-by-season tallies place him among leading creators and scorers in campaigns for Fluminense FC and Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, and among top foreign scorers during seasons with Al-Hilal SFC.
His honours include domestic league titles in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and national cups with Fluminense FC and Al-Hilal SFC, plus regional trophies linked to competitions like the Campeonato Carioca and Saudi Crown Prince Cup. Individual recognitions reference top scorer lists and team of the season nods in tournaments affiliated with CONMEBOL and AFC, comparable to awards received by contemporaries such as Hulk (footballer) and Neymar.
Category:Brazilian footballers Category:1985 births Category:Living people