Marcus Túlio Tanaka is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back and represented Japan internationally.
He played for Urawa Red Diamonds from 2004 to 2009, where he won the J1 League title in 2006.
Tanaka made his debut for the Japan national team on August 9, 2006, against Trinidad and Tobago.
Biography
Early Life
Marcus Túlio Tanaka was born in Palmeira d'Oeste, Brazil, to an Italian Brazilian mother and a second-generation Japanese Brazilian father. At the age of 15, he moved to Japan to complete his high school education, graduating from Shibuya Makuhari High School in Chiba Prefecture in 2001. Shortly after, he began his professional football career.
Career
Tanaka started his career with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 League, making an impressive debut on March 11, 2001, where he scored a goal just minutes after coming on as a substitute. After two seasons, he moved to Mito HollyHock in 2003, where he continued to excel, scoring ten goals that season. In 2004, he returned to the J1 League, joining Urawa Red Diamonds, where he played a pivotal role in winning the club's first J1 League title in 2006 and was named the J.League Most Valuable Player.
In 2010, after a successful stint at Urawa, Tanaka joined Nagoya Grampus, contributing significantly to the team's success, including winning the J1 League title in 2010. He was consistently recognized as one of the best players in the league, being selected in the J.League Best Eleven multiple times throughout his career.
Tanaka also had a notable international career, representing Japan at various levels. He obtained Japanese citizenship in 2003 and played for the Japan U23 national team at the 2004 Olympic Games. He made his senior debut in 2006 and was part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he played in all four matches as a center-back, helping Japan reach the knockout stage. Over his international career, he earned 43 caps and scored 8 goals for Japan.
Legacy
Tanaka's contributions to Japanese football have been significant, earning him numerous accolades, including the Japanese Footballer of the Year in 2006 and multiple selections in the J.League Best Eleven. His legacy is marked by his successful club career and his role in elevating Japan's presence in international football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Born in Palmeira d'Oeste, Brazil to an Italian Brazilian mother and second generation Japanese Brazilian father, Tulio moved to Japan at age 15 to complete his high school studies. After graduation from Shibuya Makuhari High School in Chiba Prefecture in 2001, Tulio joined the J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In the opening game of the 2001 season on 11 March, he debuted as substitute defender in the tenth minute, replacing the injured Tony Popovic, and scored a goal in the 16th minute. After the debut, he played many matches as centre-back in two seasons. Sanfrecce was relegated to J2 League end of 2002 season. In 2003, Tulio moved to fellow J2 League side Mito HollyHock. On 10 October 2003, he received approval to naturalise as a Japanese citizen. Playing as a centre-back, he scored ten goals in the 2003 season. In 2004, after a season at Mito, Tulio returned to the J1 League, joining Urawa Red Diamonds. After the strong performance in 2006 season, which led Urawa to win their first ever J1 League title, he received J.League Most Valuable Player. In 2007, Urawa won their first Asian champions in AFC Champions League. On 22 December 2009, after falling out with the management at Urawa as he was deployed in an unfamiliar position at the back, Tulio joined Nagoya Grampus. He played 168 games and scored 37 goals in 6 seasons and was selected in the team's Best Eleven every season. In his first season in Nagoya, Nagoya won the champions in 2010 J1 League first time in the…
Tulio obtained his Japanese citizenship on 10 October 2003. He played for the Japan U23 national team at the 2004 Olympic Games. He played as centre-back in full time in all three matches. Tulio made his debut for the Japan's senior national team on 9 August 2006, against Trinidad and Tobago. He scored his first goal for Japan on 15 November 2006 in a 2007 Asian Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. He missed the 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals due to injury. His absence was a big blow to the Japan national team. He was selected for the Japan national team for 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 30 May, he scored for Japan against England in the 7th minute of a World Cup warm-up, and also scored for England against Japan in the form of an own goal 67 minutes later. As Japan's captain Yuji Nakazawa later also scored an own goal, the game finished 2–1 for England. On 4 June, he scored for Ivory Coast against Japan in the form of an own goal in the 13th minute of a friendly match. Three minutes later, he injured Côte d'Ivoire attacker Didier Drogba's elbow which was fractured by a high challenge from Tulio. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he played full time in all four matches as center back with Yuji Nakazawa. Japan qualified to the knockout stage. This tournament was his last performance for Japan. He played 43 games and scored 8 goals for Japan.
Club
As of end of 2019 season
International
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tulio goal.
- Club
- Urawa Red Diamonds (2004–2009)
- Club
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima (2001–2002)
- Club
- Mito HollyHock (2003–2003)
- Club
- Nagoya Grampus (2010–2015)
- Club
- Japan national under-23 football team (2004–2004)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2006–2010)
- Club
- Kyoto Sanga FC (2017–2019)
- National team
- Japan
Legacy
Urawa Red Diamonds
AFC Champions League: 2007 J1 League: 2006 Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006 Japanese Super Cup: 2006 Nagoya Grampus
J1 League: 2010 Japanese Super Cup: 2011 Japan
Kirin Cup: 2007, 2008, 2009 Individual
Japanese Footballer of the Year: 2006 J.League Most Valuable Player: 2006 J.League Best Eleven: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 J.League 30th Anniversary Team
Clubs
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima2001–2002
- Mito HollyHock2003–2003
- Japan national under-23 football team2004–2004
- Urawa Red Diamonds2004–2009
- Japan men's national football team2006–2010
- Nagoya Grampus2010–2015
- Kyoto Sanga FC2017–2019
Played together with
- Adiel de Oliveira AmorimUrawa Red Diamonds · 2000–2000
Ado OnaiwuUrawa Red Diamonds- Adriano Gerlin da SilvaUrawa Red Diamonds · 2001–2001
- Adriano PimentaNagoya Grampus · 2001–2001
- Adílson Ferreira de SouzaUrawa Red Diamonds · 2012–2012
- Akihiro HyodoMito HollyHock · 2016
- Akihiro SatoSanfrecce Hiroshima · 2005–2010
- Akihiro TabataUrawa Red Diamonds · 1997–2002
- Akihisa SonobeUrawa Red Diamonds · 1983–1994
- Akinobu YokouchiSanfrecce Hiroshima · 1986–1995
- Akinori MikamiUrawa Red Diamonds · 1988–1994
- Akira AndoMito HollyHock · 2020–2020
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Marcus Túlio Tanaka is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Born in Brazil, he represented Japan at international level.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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