Wagner Lopes is a Brazilian-Japanese football player and manager known for his forward position.
He began his professional career at São Paulo FC, where he played from 1984 to 1987.
Lopes moved to Japan in 1987, where he won all three major titles with Nissan Motors (now Yokohama F. Marinos).
Biography
Early Life
Wagner Augusto Lopes, a Brazilian-Japanese football player and manager, was born in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil. He began his football journey at a young age, representing São Paulo FC in his youth before transitioning to a professional career.
Club Career
Lopes made his professional debut with São Paulo FC, where he played from 1984 to 1987. In 1987, he moved to Japan, signing with Nissan Motors (now Yokohama F. Marinos). During his time there, he helped the club secure all three major titles in Japan, including the Japan Soccer League, JSL Cup, and Emperor's Cup. After a successful stint, he played for several clubs, including Kashiwa Reysol, Honda FC, and Nagoya Grampus, where he won the Emperor's Cup in 1999. He concluded his playing career with FC Tokyo and Avispa Fukuoka, retiring in 2002.
International Career
Lopes obtained Japanese citizenship in 1997 and was subsequently called up to the Japan national team. He made his debut against South Korea and played a crucial role in helping Japan qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1998, where he participated in all three matches. He scored five goals for Japan during his international career, including two at the 1999 Copa America.
Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Lopes transitioned into management, starting as an assistant coach at Paulista in 2005. He played a significant role in the club's first national title win in the 2005 Copa do Brasil. Over the years, he managed various clubs in Brazil and returned to Japan to serve as an assistant manager for Gamba Osaka. His managerial career has seen him take charge of multiple teams, showcasing his leadership and tactical acumen in football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Lopes was born in Franca, São Paulo and represented São Paulo FC as a youth. In 1987, after two years as a senior, he moved to Japan and signed with Japan Soccer League club Nissan Motors. From 1988 to 1990, the club won all three major titles in Japan; Japan Soccer League, JSL Cup and Emperor's Cup two consecutive seasons. Lopes moved to Hitachi (later Kashiwa Reysol) in 1990. In 1992, Japan Soccer League was folded and the club joined the new Japan Football League (JFL). The club won 2nd place in 1994 and secured promotion to the J1 League. In 1994, after Kashiwa signed Müller, Lopes left the club. He joined JFL club Honda in 1995 where he was top scorer for two consecutive seasons (1995-1996). He moved to J1 League club Bellmare Hiratsuka in 1997, playing with Hidetoshi Nakata and scoring regularly. However, he left the club end of 1998 season due to financial strain and moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight, winning the 1999 Emperor's Cup. Toward the end of his career, Lopes played for FC Tokyo (2001) and Avispa Fukuoka (2001–02). He retired at the end of the 2002 season.
In September 1997, Lopes obtained Japanese citizenship. Immediately after this, he was called up to the Japan national team for the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. On 28 September, he made his national team debut against South Korea. Lopes went on to play six games and scored three goals to help Japan qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. At the 1998 World Cup, he played all three matches, assisting Masashi Nakayama in Japan's first-ever World Cup goal against Jamaica. He also played at the 1999 Copa America and scored twice. Lopes played 20 games and scored five goals for Japan until 1999.
Lopes started his career as Vágner Mancini's assistant at Paulista in 2005, helping the club win their first-ever national title, the 2005 Copa do Brasil. He left the club in 2007 due to health problems, but returned in December 2009. Initially an interim for the 2010 season, he was definitely appointed manager on 23 February. In May, he resigned and was subsequently appointed manager of Pão de Açúcar Esporte Clube. Lopes returned to Paulista in 2011, winning the year's Copa Paulista before returning to Japan and being named Gamba Osaka's assistant manager in 2012. In October 2012, he was presented as manager of Comercial-SP manager for the ensuing campaign. In that season, he also managed São Bernardo. In the 2014 campaign, Lopes was in charge of Botafogo-SP, Criciúma and Atlético Goianiense. In the following year, he took over Goiás and Bragantino.
Club
International
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lopes goal.
- National team
- Japan
- National team
- Brazil
- Club
- Avispa Fukuoka (2001–2002)
- Club
- Honda FC (1995–1996)
- Club
- Kashiwa Reysol (1990–1994)
- Club
- Shonan Bellmare (1997–1998)
- Club
- Yokohama F. Marinos (1987–1990)
- Club
- FC Tokyo (2001–2001)
- Club
- São Paulo FC (1984–1987)
- Club
- Nagoya Grampus (1999–2000)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (1997–1999)
Clubs
Played together with
- Abdeljalil HaddaYokohama F. Marinos · 2000–2000
- Abdul Naza AlhassanShonan Bellmare · 2008–2010
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsAvispa Fukuoka · 2007–2007
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2008–2008
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2009–2009
- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaFC Tokyo
- Adebayo AdigunKashiwa Reysol · 2009–2010
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorSão Paulo FC · 2012- Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorYokohama F. Marinos · 2015–2015
- Adhemar Ferreira de Camargo NetoYokohama F. Marinos · 2005–2005
- Adiel de Oliveira AmorimShonan Bellmare · 2006–2011
Ado OnaiwuYokohama F. Marinos
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Wagner Augusto Lopes is a football coach of Luverdense and former player who played as a forward. Born in Brazil, he played for the Japan national team on 20 occasions.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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