Luís Fabiano

Brazilian striker known for prolific scoring and a fiery temperament.

Last updated 30 September 2026

Luís Fabiano Clemente (born 8 November 1980), commonly known as Luís Fabiano, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker most notably for Sevilla, São Paulo, and the Brazil national team. He is a prolific goalscorer and was ranked the second-highest-scoring Brazilian of the 21st century, according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.

Quick Facts

Full name: Luís Fabiano Clemente
Born: 8 November 1980
Birthplace: Jundiaí, Brazil
Height: 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in
Position: Striker
Total caps: 422
Total goals: 214

Lore & Background

Luís Fabiano enjoyed great success during two spells with Brazilian side São Paulo, with a disappointing period at French side Rennes sandwiched in between. He was labeled the 'bad boy' of Brazilian football after a number of brawls, including a 2003 Copa Sudamericana match where he kicked a River Plate player below the neck and said he 'would rather fight than take a penalty.' He moved to Porto in 2004 for a €1.875 million transfer fee, but scored only three goals in 22 matches. He transferred to Sevilla ahead of the 2005–06 season, replacing Júlio Baptista.

On 10 May 2006, he scored a header in Sevilla's 4–0 victory over Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup Final. In the 2007–08 season, he finished runner-up in the Pichichi Trophy with 24 goals, leading to his recall to the Brazilian Seleção. On 29 November 2008, he was sent off for an altercation with Barcelona's Sergio Busquets.

He extended his contract with Sevilla to 2011, and later to 2013. On 13 March 2011, he returned to São Paulo for €7.6 million, becoming the seventh-most prolific goalscorer in the club's history. He was released in December 2015 and joined Tianjin Quanjian as a free agent, then signed for Vasco da Gama in February 2017.

Reader's Guide

Luís Fabiano made his international debut for Brazil on 11 June 2003 in a friendly against Nigeria, scoring a goal. He won the 2004 Copa América with Brazil, starting all five matches alongside Adriano. After a three-year absence from the national team due to poor form, he was recalled in November 2007 for World Cup qualifiers. On 19 November 2008, he scored his first international hat-trick in a 6–2 friendly win over Portugal.

On 28 June 2009, he scored two goals in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup final against the United States, winning the golden boot as top scorer with five goals. At the 2010 World Cup, he scored against Ivory Coast (including a controversial handball goal) and Chile. He was called up again in September 2012 for Superclásico de las Américas matches against Argentina.