Biography
Cícero João de Cézare, nicknamed Cicinho was born in Pradópolis in the São Paulo State on 24 June 1980. The son of a truck driver, he was the youngest of five children. He made his debut for Botafogo in his native São Paulo state, where he was spotted by the bigger club Atlético Mineiro. After impressing during 17 appearances (one goal), he moved to Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, though returned to Atlético Mineiro for a second spell in 2002.
His major breakthrough came in 2004, when he joined São Paulo, one of Brazil’s top clubs. Cicinho played 69 matches, scoring an impressive 12 goals from the right-back position. He was a key member of the team that won the 2005 Copa Libertadores and then the 2005 Club World Cup, where they defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
2005 turned out to be a very fine year for Cicinho, as he was also part of the Selecao side that beat Argentina 4-1 in the Confederation Cup final, and was involved in all four of Brazil’s goals. His performances during that tournament, which saw him hailed as the natural heir to Cafu in the right-back slot, attracted the attention of several big clubs in Europe.
Among the suitors were Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester United, but it was Real Madrid who won the race to sign him. The Spanish giants paid €4m for the defender, whose speed and attacking instincts have also seen him compared to that other great Brazilian full-back, Roberto Carlos.
At Real Madrid, operating as a wingback, Cicinho fitted smoothly into the attacking ethos of the team. He scored two goals in 26 La Liga, but then suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that forced him onto the sidelines for a long period. He made his comeback late in the 2006/07 season, playing seven times and helping Real to clinch the title.
Ahead of the 2007/08 season Cicinho joined AS Roma, and enjoyed an impressive maiden season, playing 30 Serie A matches, and helping his new club to win Coppa Italia and claim runners-up spot in Serie A.
His major breakthrough came in 2004, when he joined São Paulo, one of Brazil’s top clubs. Cicinho played 69 matches, scoring an impressive 12 goals from the right-back position. He was a key member of the team that won the 2005 Copa Libertadores and then the 2005 Club World Cup, where they defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
2005 turned out to be a very fine year for Cicinho, as he was also part of the Selecao side that beat Argentina 4-1 in the Confederation Cup final, and was involved in all four of Brazil’s goals. His performances during that tournament, which saw him hailed as the natural heir to Cafu in the right-back slot, attracted the attention of several big clubs in Europe.
Among the suitors were Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester United, but it was Real Madrid who won the race to sign him. The Spanish giants paid €4m for the defender, whose speed and attacking instincts have also seen him compared to that other great Brazilian full-back, Roberto Carlos.
At Real Madrid, operating as a wingback, Cicinho fitted smoothly into the attacking ethos of the team. He scored two goals in 26 La Liga, but then suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that forced him onto the sidelines for a long period. He made his comeback late in the 2006/07 season, playing seven times and helping Real to clinch the title.
Ahead of the 2007/08 season Cicinho joined AS Roma, and enjoyed an impressive maiden season, playing 30 Serie A matches, and helping his new club to win Coppa Italia and claim runners-up spot in Serie A.
