Márcio Santos

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Santos was born in São Paulo. He began his professional career with Novorizontino in 1987 before joining Internacional in 1990. He won his first professional title, the Campeonato Gaúcho, with Internacional in 1991. Having established himself as one of the leading players in his position in Brazil, he agreed to join French club Bordeaux in 1992. Before completing the move, he spent a brief period on loan at Botafogo, taking part in the club's runner-up campaign in the 1992 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Santos remained with Bordeaux until 1994, playing alongside Zinedine Zidane. Following Brazil's victory at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he spent one season with Fiorentina before joining Ajax, where he won the 1995–96 Eredivisie. His spell with Ajax was his last in European football. He returned to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro in 1997, but made few appearances before transferring to São Paulo later that year. He remained there until 1999 and won the Campeonato Paulista in 1998. During the final years of his career, he also represented Santos, Gama, Shandong Luneng, Paulista, Bolívar and Joinville, before retiring with Portuguesa Santista in 2006.

In Their Own Story

In January 2006, after winning the FIFA Club World Championship with São Paulo where he finished as the tournament's top scorer, Amoroso returned to Italy to sign an 18-month contract with AC Milan. He was brought in as a replacement for Christian Vieri. However, this spell proved unsuccessful, leading him to cancel his contract on September 1, 2006. Immediately thereafter, he signed with Corinthians, receiving the number 10 jersey previously worn by Carlos Tevez, who had moved to West Ham United. Despite the high expectations and iconic shirt number, Amoroso could not replicate his earlier form at the Brazilian club. His contract was resigned in April 2007 as he failed to show the football he was capable of, leading to a quick departure for Grêmio later that year.

Reader's Guide

At international level, he was a member of the Brazil national team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, in which he scored one goal in the group stages, against Cameroon. He missed his penalty in the shootout in the final against Italy, but Brazil went on to win regardless. He was named to the team of the tournament for his performances. He played 43 games for Brazil between 1990 and 1997, scoring five goals. He also took part at two Copa América tournaments, reaching the final in 1991, and winning the tournament in 1997.

Did You Know?

• Márcio Santos scored one goal in the 1994 World Cup group stage, against Cameroon.
• He missed his penalty in the shootout in the 1994 World Cup final, but Brazil still won.
• He was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1994.
• At club level, he played alongside Zinedine Zidane at Bordeaux.