Júlio César Santos Correa

Early years

Júlio César was born São Luís, Maranhão. He played youth football in Mexico with Club América, and made his professional debut in Honduras with C.D. Marathón. Aged 17, Júlio César signed with Spanish side Real Valladolid. He immediately began playing regularly (25 La Liga matches in his first season, helping his team finish seventh and qualify for the UEFA Cup), and attracting interest from bigger clubs.

Real Madrid

Júlio César was bought by Real Madrid in the summer of 1999, appearing regularly in his first year for a team which also included established stoppers Iván Helguera, Fernando Hierro and Aitor Karanka, as well as Iván Campo. He helped them to win the season's UEFA Champions League, although he did not make the list of 18 for the final itself. After being loaned to A.C. Milan in October 2000, Júlio César quickly left the Italians unsettled, and he returned to Spain with Real Sociedad also on loan. The following off-season, he joined S.L. Benfica on yet another loan.

Bolton

After a one-year spell with FK Austria Wien, Júlio César returned to Valladolid in 2003, again being a starter but seeing the Castile and León side be relegated to Segunda División. He then moved to England's Premier League, signing with Bolton Wanderers. Júlio César's debut came on 14 August 2004 in a 4–1 home victory over Charlton Athletic. However, after the next game, a 2–0 away defeat to Fulham, he found himself dropped from the starting line-up in…

After retiring, Júlio César obtained his UEFA Pro licence as a manager. He also worked as an ambassador for the Real Madrid Foundation in Brazil. In January 2019, Julio César was appointed head coach of Spanish amateurs CD Cristo Atlético in Palencia.

Real Madrid

UEFA Champions League: 1999–2000 Austria Wien

Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2002–03 Tigres

InterLiga: 2006 Olympiacos

Super League Greece: 2006–07, 2007–08 Greek Cup: 2007–08 Greek Super Cup: 2007 Sporting Kansas City

U.S. Open Cup: 2012