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Date of Birth: Saturday, August 2, 1975
Birth Place: Brazil
Height: 169cm
Position: Midfielder
Former Clubs/Teams: Chelsea, Sao Paolo, Hertha Berlin

Biography

Mineiro is a defensive midfielder for Brazil . He is adept at breaking up play, and is so fit that he covers over 12km in some matches.

Childhood

Mineiro was born on 2nd August 1975 in Porto Alegre. When he was still a young child his family moved in land to Campinas because of his father’s job. His real name is Carlos Luciano da Silva, and he got his nickname because he bares a striking resemblance to another ‘Mineiro’ (then at Corinthians), in spite of the fact that Mineiro technically means ‘from the state of Minas Gerais’, which he isn’t!

Early Career

Mineiro got his first big break in 1997, when he was 22 years old. He had previously been playing for tiny Rio Branco in his hometown, not least because he lacked the physical attributes to be a competitor in the top leagues. A season at Guarani Campinas led to a move to the biggest club in the city – Ponte Preta. He was used as a defensive utility player, failing to make any one position his own, but still making some important interceptions and goals.

After 5 seasons at Ponte Preta, Mineiro was signed up by Sao Caetano to become their first choice defensive midfielder. The state championship followed in 2004, when they managed to beat major rivals Sao Paolo largely because of Mineiro’s performances against them.

Sao Paolo had the spending power to bring Mineiro across the city to play in their famous white kit. Mineiro arrived in 2005, and his hard work in the centre of the park helped the club to win back the State Championship, as well as add the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA World Club Cup. Mineiro scored against Liverpool in the final, prompting European clubs to have a closer look at this Brazilian international.

Hertha Berlin took Mineiro across the Atlantic in 2006, though he struggled to have much of an impact when he arrived at the end of the Brazilian season – halfway through the Bundesliga season. He continued to struggle to adapt to the German game in his next season, and was happy to move on when both parties agreed to end the contract early.

Current Club

Mineiro joined Chelsea on 24th September 2008 as a free-transfer, and was once again under the tutelage of Brazilian legend Felipe Scolari. He made his debut for Chelsea on 1st November 2008. He accepts that because of his age he is unlikely to be considered the first-choice defensive midfielder, but feels he still has a lot to give.

International

Mineiro made his Brazil debut in April 2001, and has been used sparingly by all the different coaches since. As a talented Brazilian playing in Brazil, he was often preferred ahead of European-based players for World Cup and Copa America Qualifiers, but failed to make the Finals squads. He was a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup 2006 campaign, but didn’t make an appearance. He continues to be used by Dunga.