Cicinho
Cicinho on a football pitch, standing with his hands on his hips. He is wearing an all-white kit with red trim
Cicinho playing for Sivasspor in 2013
Personal information
Full name Cícero João de Cézare[1]
Date of birth (1980-06-24) 24 June 1980 (age 43)
Place of birth Pradópolis, Brazil
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Right back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Botafogo-SP 2 (0)
2001–2003 Atlético Mineiro 59 (4)
2001 → Botafogo (loan) 9 (2)
2004–2005 São Paulo 70 (12)
2006–2007 Real Madrid 26 (2)
2007–2012 Roma 62 (3)
2010 → São Paulo (loan) 6 (0)
2011 → Villarreal (loan) 6 (0)
2012–2013 Sport Recife 24 (0)
2013–2016 Sivasspor 90 (2)
2017–2018 Brasiliense 0 (0)
Total 354 (25)
International career
2005–2006 Brazil 15 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Cícero João de Cézare (born 24 June 1980), nicknamed Cicinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [siˈsĩɲu]), is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as a right back.

He had his breakthrough at São Paulo, where he was named in the 2005 Bola de Prata as the team won the Campeonato Paulista, Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup. He then spent most of his career with mixed successes at Real Madrid, Roma and Sivasspor. He suffered from alcoholism during his time in Europe.[3][4][5]

Cicinho earned 15 caps for Brazil, winning the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and going to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Born in Pradópolis, São Paulo, Cicinho began his career at Botafogo-SP before joining Atlético Mineiro, who loaned him to the Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo. He won the Club World Cup in 2005 while playing for São Paulo.

Real Madrid

After an interview with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Cicinho signed for Real Madrid on 23 August 2005, effective from the new year. He joined for an undisclosed fee and accompanied compatriots Ronaldo, Robinho, Júlio Baptista and Roberto Carlos, under Brazilian manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo.[6]

He made his debut in La Liga on 8 January 2006, replacing the injured Ronaldo after 33 minutes in a goalless draw at Villarreal,[7] and three weeks later, he scored his first goal to open a 2–1 win at Celta de Vigo.[8] On 14 February, he scored after 57 seconds in a 4–0 win over Real Zaragoza in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, to no avail due to a 6–1 loss in the first round.[9]

In September 2006, Cicinho suffered an extensive injury to his ACL and missed over six months.[10] His comeback, to not only the pitch, but also the starting lineup, was on 29 April 2007, against Athletic Bilbao. He assisted Ruud van Nistelrooy's first goal with a cross, and played a part in the Dutchman's second goal in a 4–1 win.[11]

In preparation for the 2007–08 season, Cicinho received less playing time under new coach Bernd Schuster. Michel Salgado and Sergio Ramos were used on the right during most of pre-season, and he therefore requested a transfer to A.S. Roma who had been following him for some time.[12]

Roma

On 22 August 2007, Cicinho signed for Roma for a fee up to €11 million.[13] Cicinho signed a five-year contract with the capital club worth from €3.6M in the first year up to €4 million in the last year (in gross salary, i.e. include tax), with additional bonuses.[14][15]

He made his official debut in a Roma jersey on the first matchday of Serie A against Palermo, as a substitute for Ludovic Giuly in the second half. Roma went on to win the game 2–0.[16]

On 9 February 2010, Cicinho joined São Paulo on loan until on 30 June 2010.[17] This loan came after a 2009–10 season in which Cicinho received less playing time under new manager Claudio Ranieri in favor of Marco Cassetti and Marco Motta.

On 13 January 2011, he returned to Spain; this time joining Villarreal on loan until the end of the season.[18]

In 2011–12 season Cicinho returned to Roma. He was the third choice for right back behind Marco Cassetti and Aleandro Rosi. He played only two matches in a 2011–12 season, first against Siena and second against Fiorentina in which he was a starter. His contract expired on 30 June, and he returned to Brazil.

Later career

Cicinho returned to Brazil after six years away on 21 June 2012, signing a one-year contract for Sport as part of president Gustavo Dubeux's promise to bring in a player who would be "greeted by the fans at the airport".[19]

In July 2013, Cicinho signed with Turkish club Sivasspor, managed by his former club and international defensive partner Roberto Carlos.[20] After one year, Cicinho had become a key player, and, in April 2014, he renewed his contract for two more years.[21]

In September 2017, after over a year of unemployment, Cicinho signed with Brasiliense of Série D for the 2018 season.[22] He rescinded his contract on 1 March, after two competitive games for the team from Brasília, due to a recurring knee injury.[23]

International career

Cicinho representing Brazil

Cicinho made his debut for Brazil national team on 27 April 2005 in a 3–0 win over Guatemala at the Estádio do Pacaembu for Romário's testimonial match, assisting the opening goal by Ânderson.[24]

He was called up for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany, with he and Léo replacing veteran full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos respectively.[25] He played every match as Brazil won.

On 12 November 2005, Cicinho came on as a substitute for Cafú in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi and scored his only international goal to cap an 8–0 victory.[26]

He was one of the 23 players called up by Carlos Alberto Parreira to defend Brazil's crown in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.[27] He made his tournament debut in the 4–1 group stage win over Japan, assisting one of Ronaldo's goals that made him the tournament's all-time top goalscorer.[28] His one other appearance was in the 1–0 loss to France in the quarter-finals, as a late substitute for Cafú.[29]

Personal life

In addition to being Brazilian, he is also an Italian citizen, having a grandfather from Tione degli Abruzzi in Abruzzo whose last name was "De Cesare", then poorly transcribed as De Cézare by the registry office.[30]

In 2012, Cicinho revealed that he was an alcoholic and smoker, and would have taken drugs were it not for doping tests in football.[3] He told ESPN Brasil in 2016 that he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.[4] The following year, he confessed in a Fox interview that his addictions became a problem following his move to Real Madrid, and that he got more than 30 tattoos in a struggle to fight his depression.[5]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Madrid[31] 2005–06 19 2 4 1 1 0 24 3
2006–07 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 0
Total 26 2 4 1 2 0 32 3
Roma 2007–08 30 2 7 0 7 0 44 2
2008–09 22 1 2 0 5 0 31 1
2009–10 2 0 1 0 2 0 5 0
2010–11 6 0 1 0 2 0 9 0
2011–12 2 0 1 0 2 0 5 0
Total 62 3 12 0 18 0 91 3
São Paulo (loan) 2010 6 0 0 0 10 0 16 0
Villarreal (loan)[31] 2010–11 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 0
Sport Recife 2012 24 0 0 0 0 0 24 0
Sivasspor 2013–14 31 1 6 1 0 0 37 2
2014–15 30 1 3 0 0 0 33 1
2015–16 27 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
Total 88 2 9 1 0 0 97 3
Career total 198 7 26 2 30 0 243 8

Honours

São Paulo
Real Madrid
Roma
Brazil

References

  1. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Brazil" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 December 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005.
  3. ^ a b "Cicinho reveals alcohol problem". Football Italia. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Cicinho on alcoholism: "I have to drink until I fall over"". Diario AS. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b Sanchidrián, David F. (1 April 2017). "Cicinho admits that Real Madrid spell was start of alcohol hell". Diario AS. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Cicinho, otro brasileño para el Real Madrid" [Cicinho, another Brazilian for Real Madrid] (in Spanish). Emol. ANSA. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Cicinho se ganó al Bernabéu" [Cicinho profited at the Bernabéu]. La Nación (in Spanish). 12 January 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  8. ^ Campos, Paco (30 January 2006). "El Madrid sobrevive en el alambre" [Madrid just about survive]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  9. ^ "El Zaragoza, finalista de la Copa; el Madrid ganó 4–0 y rozó la proeza" [Zaragoza, Copa finalist; Madrid won 4–0 and nearly pulled it off] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 14 February 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Cicinho tears right knee ligament". CNN. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Report: Athletic Bilbao 1–4 Real Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 29 April 2007. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Cicinho set for Real exit". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  13. ^ "ACQUISIZIONE DEL DIRITTO ALLE PRESTAZIONI SPORTIVE DEL CALCIATORE DE CESARE CICERO JOAO" (PDF). AS Roma (in Italian). 22 August 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "AS Roma signs Cicinho from Real Madrid". Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.
  15. ^ "Cicinho, traspasado al AS Roma". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012.
  16. ^ "Report: Palermo 0–2 Roma". ESPN Soccernet. 26 August 2007. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  17. ^ "Nani never wanted to leave Man Utd – Ontheminute.com". 10 February 2010.
  18. ^ "Cicinho jugará cedido en el Villarreal CF" [Cicinho will play on loan at Villarreal CF]. Villarreal CF (in Italian). 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  19. ^ "Sport anuncia contratação de Cicinho, ex-Real Madrid e Seleção" [Sport announce signing of Cicinho, ex-Real Madrid and national team]. Globo (in Portuguese). 22 June 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Cicinho acerta com Sivasspor, time de Roberto Carlos, na Turquia" [Cicinho signs with Sivasspor, Roberto Carlos' team, in Turkey]. Futebol Interior (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  21. ^ "Cicinho renova contrato com time de Roberto Carlos" [Cicinho renews contract with Roberto Carlos' team]. Futebol Interior (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  22. ^ "Aos 37 anos, Cicinho acerta com o Brasiliense e volta a jogar em 2018" [At age 37, Cicinho agrees with Brasiliense and will return to playing in 2018]. Globo (in Portuguese). 12 September 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Cicinho assina rescisão e não é mais jogador do Brasiliense" [Cicinho signs release form and is no longer a Brasiliense player]. Globo (in Portuguese). 1 March 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  24. ^ Chahad, Allen (27 April 2005). "Na despedida de Romário, Brasil vence Guatemala" [In Romário's farewell, Brazil defeat Guatemala]. Terra (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Confed Cup place to help Ronaldo's woes". Eurosport. Reuters. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Brasil goleia Emirados Árabes por 8 × 0 e fecha "ano de ouro"" [Brazil thrash Arab Emirates 8–0 and close "golden year"] (in Portuguese). UOL. 12 November 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Brazil boast impressive Cup squad". BBC Sport. 15 May 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Japan 1–4 Brazil". BBC Sport. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Brazil 0–1 France". BBC Sport. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Il Milan marca stretto Cicinho". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Cicinho". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 August 2018.

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