César Prates

Born in Aratiba, Rio Grande do Sul, Prates started his career at Sport Club Internacional, where his steady performances attracted the attention of Real Madrid. He never made it, however, past its reserves, and initiated a series of loan moves in the subsequent seasons, almost always in Brazil. In January 2000, Prates arrived (still on loan) alongside two other players to Sporting Clube de Portugal. All would be instrumental as the Lions ended an 18-year drought and conquered the Primeira Liga championship, and the move was made permanent subsequently. Prates earned a lucrative deal in the 2003 summer with Turkey's Galatasaray SK, but could not settle at his new club, and moved after a few months to Figueirense Futebol Clube. After an impressive stint at Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas he moved overseas again, joining A.S. Livorno Calcio and being first-choice as the club finished sixth and reached the UEFA Cup. In January 2007, Prates stayed in Italy and its Serie A, joining A.C. ChievoVerona and signing a two-year contract. Released in June he returned to his country, representing several sides until his retirement in 2010, aged 35.

Internacional Campeonato Gaúcho: 1994 Vasco Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1997 Corinthians Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1999 Sporting Primeira Liga: 1999–2000, 2001–02 Taça de Portugal: 2001–02 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2000, 2002 Figueirense Campeonato Catarinense: 2008