Liédson

Early years

Born in Cairu, Bahia, Liédson started his professional career at Coritiba, aged 22. Before that he played amateur football on weekends, working at a supermarket during the week. Liédson continued his career at Flamengo and Corinthians, traditional big clubs in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo respectively, with relative individual success.

Sporting

Liédson was signed by Sporting CP for €2 million on 31 August 2003, giving manager Fernando Santos a new option following injuries and sales. On his debut, the "S" in his name was printed in reverse, which he took as a good omen and maintained it like that for the rest of his career. Liédson was crowned top scorer in the Primeira Liga in his second season, scoring 25 goals while also netting nine in 14 games as his team reached the final of the UEFA Cup – this included a hat-trick in a 4–0 win at Dinamo Tbilisi in the group stage. The following year, he finished second in the scoring race, scoring 15 times from 31 appearances (28 of which he played the full 90 minutes) with an impressive mark of 2,899 minutes played; he was top scorer again in 2006–07, but the Lions only conquered one domestic cup during that timeframe. Considered by many as one of the greatest strikers in Sporting history since the early performances of Fernando Peyroteo, Héctor Yazalde, Manuel Fernandes, Rui Jordão, Fernando Gomes, Alberto Acosta and Mário Jardel, Liédson was also regarded as the club's top trademark player since the…

Liédson expressed interest in playing for the Portugal national team despite being Brazilian-born. He stated: "If one day I was called up to play, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second, as I feel right at home in Portugal." After the retirement of striker Pauleta, Liédson was one of the main candidates in line for succession, especially after countrymen Deco and Pepe's previous switches. Liédson's naturalisation process created some controversy, as the Portuguese Footballers' Union in August 2009 publicly objected the Portuguese Football Federation's (FPF) plans of expediting his citizenship. After six years of residence in Portugal, Liédson received citizenship, being eligible to play for the country. On 26 August 2009, he was called up by Carlos Queiroz for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Hungary and made his debut against the former on 5 September, coming on as a substitute for Tiago at half-time. After having been booked, Liédson scored the equaliser in the 85th minute, heading the ball in from a corner. Liédson started in Portugal's World Cup opener, a 0–0 draw against Ivory Coast. He lost his place to Hugo Almeida for the following match, but found the net twice in a 7–0 routing of North Korea on 21 June.

Club

International

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Liédson goal.

Corinthians

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2011 Campeonato Paulista: 2003 Copa Libertadores: 2012 Sporting

Taça de Portugal: 2006–07, 2007–08 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2007, 2008 Taça da Liga: runner-up 2007–08, 2008–09 UEFA Cup: runner-up 2004–05 Porto

Primeira Liga: 2012–13 Taça da Liga: runner-up 2012–13 Individual

Copa Sul-Minas top scorer: 2002 Bola de Prata: 2004–05, 2006–07 SJPF Player of the Month: January 2006, April 2007, January 2009, April 2009, March 2010 (record) Campeonato Paulista top scorer: 2011