Zé Elias

Born in Guarulhos, Zé Elias was one of the youngest players to ever appear for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. He had already gained strong interest from PSV Eindhoven during his beginnings as a senior, which happened at the age of 17. After becoming an undisputed starter at Corinthians, and first appearing for the Brazil national team at 19, Zé Elias went overseas, representing with moderate individual success Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Bologna FC 1909, Olympiacos F.C. and Genoa CFC. He won three consecutive Super League Greece championships with the fourth club, but appeared sparingly in the process (a maximum of 18 league appearances). After a return to Brazil with Santos FC, Zé Elias had short-lived stints with FC Metalurh Donetsk, Guarani FC, AC Omonia and Londrina Esporte Clube. He retired as a player in March 2008, and assumed a scouting role in Brazil for Inter Milan; however, in June, he signed a contract with SC Rheindorf Altach for the 2008–09 season, before announcing his retirement again.

Zé Elias was capped eleven times for Brazil. He received his first call-up on 29 March 1995, in a friendly with Honduras which ended 1–1. Zé Elias represented the country at the 1996 Summer Olympics where he won bronze, and later at the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup in a runner-up finish, losing 0–2 in the final against Mexico.

Elias' younger brother, Rubinho, is also a professional footballer. A goalkeeper, he played most of his career in Italy.

Corinthians

Campeonato Paulista: 1995 Copa do Brasil: 1995 Inter Milan

UEFA Cup: 1997–98 Olympiacos

Super League Greece: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 Greek Football Cup runner-up: 2000–01, 2001–02 Santos

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2004 Brazil

CONCACAF Gold Cup rner-up: 1996 Summer Olympic Games bronze medal: 1996