Juliano Belletti

Early career

Belletti started his career playing as a central midfielder in Brazil for the youth team of Cruzeiro in 1992. His professional debut happened in November 1994. In March 1996, he was involved in a deal that sent him and Serginho to São Paulo in exchange for five players: Aílton, Donizete, Gilmar, Palhinha and Vítor. Playing for São Paulo, he eventually became a right-back.

In 1999, he was loaned to Atlético Mineiro. Playing as an attacking-midfielder, Belletti helped the club to finish second in the Brazilian League and managed to win the Bola de Prata ("Silver Ball"), an award handed by Placar magazine to the players nominated to the Brazilian League Squad of the Year. After returning to São Paulo, he became a regular in the Brazil national team by playing in the right-back position once again.

Villarreal

In June 2002, prior to winning the World Cup with Brazil, Belletti moved to La Liga club Villarreal on a five-year deal for an estimated fee of US$3 million. He made his debut on 21 July in a 2–0 loss at Torino in the UEFA Intertoto Cup first round, playing the final 21 minutes in place of Jorge López. Belletti was part of the squad that won the 2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup against Dutch club Heerenveen. On 15 February 2004, he scored twice at home to Racing Santander in a 6–3 victory.

Barcelona

In May 2004, Belletti transferred to Barcelona for €4 million on a three-year deal, with Barcelona also ceding their right to buy Pepe Reina…

Belletti made his international debut for Brazil on 28 March 2001 in a 1–0 loss away to Ecuador in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification. In July, he went to the 2001 Copa América in Colombia, where he scored his first, and only international goal in a 3–1 win against Paraguay, but netted an own goal in a shock defeat to last-minute invitees Honduras as the team suffered a quarter-final exit. The team bounced back to win the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, with Belletti playing the semi-final match against Turkey after replacing Kléberson for the final five minutes of the 1–0 win en route to the title. Belletti's international career was limited by sharing his position with the team's captain, Cafu. Belletti played at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup but missed the 2005 edition due to a right Achilles tendon injury. As Cafu also did not play at this tournament, their places on the team were given to Cicinho and Maicon who later became dominant players at this position.

On 4 February 2021, Belletti was named assistant at his first club Cruzeiro, after previously working in the club's International Business section. On 31 July, he was in charge of the club's first team trainings after the departure of Mozart, but returned to previous duties on 3 August after the appointment of Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Belletti had his first experience as a head coach in 2023, with São Paulo FC under-20 team, when he arrived to replace Alex. He remained in the position until June 2023, when he claimed family adjustment problems upon his return to Brazil. In July 2024, he was announced for the same role, in the Barcelona U19 team. Belletti's first season in charge of Barcelona U19 was successful, with his team winning the Copa del Rey Juvenil de Fútbol on 16 March 2025, and later winning the UEFA Youth League on 28 April. On 30 May 2025, Belletti was appointed manager of FC Barcelona Atlètic, freshly relegated to Segunda Federación.

Belletti was born in Cascavel, Paraná. He is of Italian ancestry and his family has its origins in Longiano in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, and he holds an Italian passport. He also has origins in Bastiglia in the Province of Modena and Mantua.