Thiago Motta
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| Thiago Motta | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thiago Motta | |
| Date of birth | August 28, 1982 | |
| Place of birth | São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | |
| Playing position | Central midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Atlético Madrid | |
| Number | 5 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1999–2001 2001–2007 2007– |
FC Barcelona B FC Barcelona Atlético Madrid |
101 (19) 96 (6) 6 (0) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2003– | Brazil | 8 (1) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Thiago Motta (born August 28, 1982 in São Bernardo do Campo) is a Brazilian footballer that plays as a central midfielder for Atlético Madrid and Brazil. Although born in Brazil, Motta is also an Italian citizen. His main traits are physical display and a powerful mid-range shot.
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[edit] Club career
Motta began his professional career with FC Barcelona B in 1999 and eventually graduated to the senior FC Barcelona team in 2001, making his first team debut on October 3, 2001, against RCD Mallorca.
In the 2001-02 UEFA Champions League, Motta made seven appearances and helped his team to the semi-finals. Although he had a string of fine performances, competition for places in an already congested midfield meant that he was unable to hold down a regular place in the center. He made thirteen appearances in the 2002-03 season, as Barça finsihed runner-up. He also played an important part in the following season's long UEFA Cup run, which was eventually ended by Celtic. Motta was sent off during half time after hitting out at Celtic goalkeeper Robert Douglas, who was also shown the red card, in an incident that happened in the tunnel. Javier Saviola was also sent off in the heated first leg match.
Motta was also dogged by several injuries (as well as inconsistent performances), particularly one suffered on September 11, 2004 against Sevilla FC, which sidelined him for seven months, during his time at Barcelona. Motta would eventually need surgery to rebuild the anterior cruciate and lateral ligaments in his left knee. He was able to make a swift recovery and made an emotional comeback, taking to the field to rapturous applause as eventual league champions defeated Getafe CF 2-0, on April 17.
In August 2007, Motta moved to Atlético Madrid for €2M.[2]Once again, he began the season on the sidelines, injured. In a Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Valencia, he was sent off after only 25 minutes. Atlético lost the match 1-0 and subsequently the tie. Due to injury to habitual starter Raúl García and the departure of Maniche in January 2008, his opportunities increased. In March, however, the recurrent knee problems reappeared, and Motta's season was over, after a successful surgery and rehabilitation in the United States.
[edit] International career
Motta made his debut for Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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