Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Aílton's career began in Brazil, and he played in his homeland with Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube, Santa Cruz and Guarani. He then moved to Tigres UANL in Mexico, which made way to a 1998–99 move to SV Werder Bremen in Germany. He had some difficulties in his first season, managing only two league goals, but developed into a strong service provider. Werder Bremen won the DFB-Pokal in 1999. However, Aílton did not take part in the final, which was won on penalties against Bayern Munich. In 1999–00 he scored twelve goals, 13 in 2000–01, 16 in 2001–02 and 2002–03, the following season bringing with it 28 goals. He won the Bundesliga and the German Cup with Werder Bremen. Due to his achievements at Bremen, he was selected in 2004 as the first foreigner to win the Footballer of the Year (Germany) award. The 2004–05 season saw a lucrative move to FC Schalke 04.
Being uncapped by Brazil, in March 2004 the Qatar Football Association tried to incentivise Aílton to play for their national team by offering him Qatari citizenship, an initial €1 million and €400,000 a year for his services. FIFA intervened and blocked the move, tightening international eligibility requirements as a result. Aílton has been known as an enfant terrible, giving emotional interviews full of melodrama during his time in Germany. In July 2005, Rıza Çalımbay brought him to Beşiktaş for €3.5 million, but he failed to show his full potential. Beşiktaş management brought him to the team with high hopes but his lack of…
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- Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic F.C. (2009–2009)
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- FC Oberneuland (2010–2011)
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- Guarani Futebol Clube (1996–1997)
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- SC Rheindorf Altach (2008–2009)
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- Hamburger SV (2006–2006)
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- Ypiranga Futebol Clube (1993–1994)
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- SV Werder Bremen (1998–2004)
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- Rio Branco Esporte Clube (2011–2011)
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- FK Crvena zvezda (2006–2007)
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- Grasshopper Club Zürich (2007–2007)
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- Santa Cruz Futebol Clube (1995–1996)
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- Beşiktaş J.K. (2005–2006)
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- FC Metalurh Donetsk (2008–2009)
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- MSV Duisburg (2007–2008)
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- S.C. Internacional (1994–1995)
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- Tigres UANL (1997–1998)
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- Campinense Clube (2009–2009)
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- Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube (1994–1995)
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- BFV Hassia Bingen (2012–2013)
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- Schalke 04 (2004–2005)
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- KFC Uerdingen 05 (2010–2010)
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- Santa Cruz Futebol Clube (1996–1996)
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- SC Rheindorf Altach (2008–2008)
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- KFC Uerdingen 05 (2009–2010)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Brazil
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- German Footballer of the Year
Personal
Aílton's wife Rosseli Judith Rodriguez is Mexican and the couple have four children. In January 2012, he took part on Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!, the German version of the television game show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Legacy
Werder Bremen
Bundesliga: 2003–04 DFB-Pokal: 1998–99, 2003–04 DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 1999 Schalke 04
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004 Red Star Belgrade
Serbian SuperLiga: 2006–07 Individual
Bundesliga top scorer: 2003–04 Footballer of the Year (Germany): 2004 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2003–04
Clubs
- Ypiranga Futebol Clube1993–1994
- Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube1994–1995
- S.C. Internacional1994–1995
- Santa Cruz Futebol Clube1995–1996
- Guarani Futebol Clube1996–1997
- Santa Cruz Futebol Clube1996–1996
- Tigres UANL1997–1998
- SV Werder Bremen1998–2004
- Schalke 042004–2005
- Beşiktaş J.K.2005–2006
- FK Crvena zvezda2006–2007
- Hamburger SV2006–2006
- Grasshopper Club Zürich2007–2007
- MSV Duisburg2007–2008
- FC Metalurh Donetsk2008–2009
- SC Rheindorf Altach2008–2009
- SC Rheindorf Altach2008–2008
- Campinense Clube2009–2009
- Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic F.C.2009–2009
- KFC Uerdingen 052009–2010
- FC Oberneuland2010–2011
- KFC Uerdingen 052010–2010
- Rio Branco Esporte Clube2011–2011
- BFV Hassia Bingen2012–2013
Played together with
Aaron HuntHamburger SV · 2015- Aaron HuntSV Werder Bremen · 2004–2014
- Aarón GalindoGrasshopper Club Zürich · 2007–2007
- Abdelaziz AhanfoufMSV Duisburg · 2003–2006
Abdoulay DiabyBeşiktaş J.K. · 2019–2020
Abel HernándezS.C. Internacional · 2020–2021
Abiola DaudaFK Crvena zvezda · 2013–2014- Aboubakar OumarouFK Crvena zvezda · 2008–2009
- Aboubakar OumarouFK Crvena zvezda · 2009–2009
- Adalto Batista da SilvaGuarani Futebol Clube · 2005–2005
Adam BodzekMSV Duisburg · 2003–2005- Adam BodzekMSV Duisburg · 2005–2010
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Aílton Gonçalves da Silva, also known as Kugelblitz, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker. A journeyman, Aílton began his career in Brazil where he played for Ypiranga, Internacional, Mogi Mirim, Santa Cruz, and Guarani. Following a stint with Tigres UANL in Mexico, he moved to Germany joining SV Werder Bremen. He spent six seasons with Werder Bremen, winning the double of Bundesliga and cup in the 2003–04 season, before transferring to league rivals FC Schalke 04. In the latter stages of his career he played for Beşiktaş, Hamburger SV, Red Star Belgrade, Grasshoppers Zürich, MSV Duisburg, Metalurh Donetsk, SCR Altach, Campinense, and Chongqing Lifan. He ended his career in the lower leagues with KFC Uerdingen 05, FC Oberneuland, Rio Branco-SP, and Hassia Bingen.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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