Bruno César

Bruno César Zanaki (born 3 November 1988) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for XV de Piracicaba.

Bruno César
Bruno César playing for Sporting in 2016
Personal information
Full name Bruno César Zanaki
Date of birth (1988-11-03) 3 November 1988
Place of birth Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, Brazil
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 XV de Piracicaba
Youth career
2005–2006 Bahia
2007 São Paulo
2007 Palmeiras
2008 Grêmio
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Ulbra 4 (1)
2009 Noroeste 12 (1)
2009–2010 Santo André 23 (8)
2010–2011 Corinthians 53 (16)
2011–2013 Benfica 60 (13)
2013–2015 Al-Ahli 48 (15)
2014 → Palmeiras (loan) 20 (2)
2015 Estoril 10 (1)
2015–2018 Sporting 96 (12)
2019–2021 Vasco da Gama 41 (4)
2020–2021 → Penafiel (loan) 25 (4)
2021–2022 Penafiel 15 (0)
2023– XV de Piracicaba 6 (0)
International career
2011 Brazil 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 February 2023

Club career

Early career

Bruno César began his professional career with Ulbra in 2009, before moving on to Noroeste in the same season. At Noroeste, he made his senior debut against Ituano in the Campeonato Paulista, where he came on as a 64th-minute substitute.[1]

Following the end of the 2009 Campeonato Paulista, Bruno César moved to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Santo André. At Santo André, he made his professional league debut away to Coritiba. His professional league debut saw him score Santo André's fourth in a 4–2 away win.[2] For the 2010 season, he managed to break through into Santo André's starting 11 where he scored 7 goals in 21 appearances and helped his side reach the 2010 Campeonato Paulista final, where his side lost to Santos over two legs.[3][4]

Corinthians

Bruno César would join Corinthians from Campeonato Brasileiro Série B side in May 2010. He debuted for the Timão on 27 May in a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A match against Grêmio Barueri. He marked his first team debut with a goal which would tie the match at 2–2.[5] His debut season with Corinthians saw him score 14 goals in 31 matches, which helped his side finish third in the league, thus granting his side qualification to the 2011 Copa Libertadores first stage.[6] His impressive first season with Corinthians would see him be awarded by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) with the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Newcomer award.[7]

Bruno César's second season with Corinthians would see him feature regularly in Corinthians' 2011 Campeonato Paulista campaign, where he helped his side reach the final of the competition, where they were defeated by Santos.[8][9] Prior to start of the 2011 league campaign, he would be transferred to Benfica.

Benfica
Bruno César playing for Benfica in 2012

On 28 March 2011, Benfica announced the acquisition of Bruno César for a reported €6 million transfer fee,[10] with Bruno César moving to the Encarnados in the summer.[11]

Bruno César made his Benfica debut against Trabzonspor in a UEFA Champions League third round qualifying match.[12] On 20 August, he made his Primeira Liga debut against Feirense at the Estádio da Luz, where he scored in injury time.[13] His goal-scoring form in the league would continue in the next several matches with goals against Nacional and Académica de Coimbra.[14][15]

Bruno César's goal-scoring form would see then Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus select him in his starting 11. Jesus' selection of the player would pay off, as Bruno César scored in Benfica's second Champions League group stage match against Oțelul Galați.[16] He would continue to demonstrate his goal-scoring form, scoring in a third round Taça de Portugal match against Portimonense.[17] In Benfica's next UEFA Champions League match, he would play a pivotal role in an important win – he helped his side pick up an important away win at Basel by scoring Benfica's first goal in a 2–0 win at St. Jakob-Park.[18]

Following his excellent goal scoring form, Bruno César suffered a two-month goal scoring drought through November and December. He ended his scoring drought by scoring in an away match against União de Leiria.[19] After January 2013, Bruno César played an important role in Benfica's end-of-season fortunes. Despite Benfica losing the Primeira Liga title to rivals Porto, he helped his side claim the Taça da Liga title for a fourth consecutive season, and helped the Encarnados reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they were defeated by eventual winners Chelsea.[20][21][22]

The arrivals of wingers Eduardo Salvio and Ola John saw Bruno César feature less for his club side in the domestic league campaign for the 2012–13 season. He would be utilized by Jorge Jesus primarily in the Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and the UEFA Champions League campaigns. The first half of the 2012–13 season would see Bruno César make 16 appearances, six of which came in the Primeira Liga. His limited playing time during the first half of the season would see him leave the club in January 2013.

Al-Ahli

On 21 January 2013, Bruno César joined Saudi club Al-Ahli Jeddah after the club paid Benfica a €5.5 million transfer fee.[23][24]

Bruno César made his debut for his new club against Al-Wehda in a Saudi Professional League match.[25] He made his continental debut for Al-Ahli in a 2013 AFC Champions League group stage match, against Qatari side Al-Gharafa on 27 February.[26] César would score his first league goal against Ettifaq on 3 March, in a 4–1 away win.[27]

The following week would see Bruno César score again, this time a brace against Najran, which would help his side defeat the opposition 5–1.[28] His goal-scoring form would continue as he scored three goals in continental competitions against Iranian side Sepahan Isfahan (twice) and Qatari side El Jaish.[29][30][31]

Sporting CP

On 31 July 2015, Bruno César joined Estoril from Al-Ahli Jeddah for a €2 million transfer fee. On 14 November 2015, after just 11 matches for Estoril, he joined Sporting CP on a free transfer and signed a four-year contract lasting until June 2020. He scored two goals in his Sporting debut, against Vitória de Setúbal. By the end of the season, he played 18 matches in all competition, scoring four goals.

XV de Piracicaba

For the 2023 season, Bruno César moved to XV de Piracicaba.[32]

International career

Bruno César received his first international call-up by Brazil national team manager Mano Menezes for international friendlies against the Gabon and Egypt in November 2011.[33]

César debuted for the Canarinha on 10 November in a 2–0 win against Gabon.[34] His second cap came four days later against Egypt in another 2–0 win.[35]

Career statistics

Club
As of 29 April 2017[36]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Paulista Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ulbra 2009 3100————0031
Total 3100————0031
Noroeste 2009 0000————121121
Total 0000————121121
Santo André 2009 1100————0010
2010 0000————217217
Total 1100——00217227
Corinthians 2010 311400————003114
2011 0000——10181191
Total 311400——101815015
Benfica 2011–12 26102140122——4413
2012–13 60302050——160
Total 32105160172——6013
Al-Ahli 2012–13 8342——73——198
2013–14 8400——20——114
2014–15 101101171——193
Total 2685211164——4815
Palmeiras (loan) 2014 7000——0080150
Total 7000——0080150
Estoril 2015–16 101100000——111
Total 101100000——111
Sporting CP 2015–16 164001010——184
2016–17 272411062––385
Total 435412072––559
Career totals 142401138136659925659

International

Honours

Club

Grêmio

Corinthians

Benfica

Al Ahli

Sporting CP

Individual

References
  1. "Noroeste 0-1 Ituano" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  2. "Coritiba 2-4 Santo André" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  3. "Santo André 2-3 Santos" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  4. "Santos 2-3 Santo André" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  5. "Grêmio Barueri 2-2 Corinthians" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  6. "Campeonato Brasileiro 2010" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  7. "Conca e Flu brilham no Prêmio Craque Brasileirão" [Conca and Flu shine at the Craque Brasileirão awards] (in Portuguese). A Tarde. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  8. "Corinthians 0-0 Santos" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  9. "Santos 2-1 Corinthians" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  10. "Bruno César já chegou a Lisboa" [Bruno César has arrived in Lisbon] (in Portuguese). Record. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  11. "Benfica anuncia Bruno César" [Benfica announces Bruno César] (in Portuguese). Record. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  12. "Benfica apura-se com empate na Turquia" [Benfica are through after draw in Turkey] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  13. "Benfica vence Feirense por 3-1" [Benfica defeats Feirense 3-1] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  14. "Nacional 0-2 Benfica" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  15. "Benfica vence Académica e cola-se ao FC Porto na liderança" [Benfica defeats Académica and glues itself FC Porto on top spot] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  16. "Bruno César dá vitória ao Benfica na Roménia" [Bruno César gives Benfica victory in Romania] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  17. "Bruno César marca, assiste e Benfica vence Portimonense" [Bruno César scores, assists and Benfica defeats Portimonense] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  18. "Bruno César e Cardozo garantem vitória sobre Basel" [Bruno César and Cardozo guarantee over Basel] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  19. "Assalto perfeito com a liderança como recompensa (0x4)" [Perfect assault with a recompensating leadership] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  20. "Benfica escorrega e oferece título ao FC Porto (2x2)" [Benfica slips up and offers title to FC Porto (2x2)] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  21. "Saviola oferece "tetra" ao Benfica na Taça da Liga (2x1)" [Saviola offers "treble" to Benfica in the League Cup (2x1)] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  22. "Quando a coragem só não chega... (2x1)" [When their courage is not enough... (2x1)] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  23. "Bruno César confirma transferência para o Al-Ahli" [Bruno César confirms transfer to Al-Ahli]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  24. Bruno César deixa o Benfica e acerta com o Al-Ahli, da Arábia Saudita (Portuguese)
  25. "AL WAHDA VS. AL AHLI 1 – 3". Soccerway. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  26. "Al-Ahli Jeddah 2-0 Al-Gharafa" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  27. "AL ITTIFAQ VS. AL AHLI 1 – 4". Soccerway. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  28. "AL AHLI VS. NAJRAN 5 – 1". Soccerway. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  29. "Sepahan 2-4 Al-Ahli Jeddah" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  30. "Al-Ahli Jeddah 4-1 Sepahan" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  31. "Al-Ahli Jeddah 2-0 El Jaish SC" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  32. "EXPERIENTE MEIO-CAMPISTA BRUNO CÉSAR REFORÇARÁ O XV NO PAULISTÃO A2" [EXPERIENCED MIDFIELDER BRUNO CÉSAR WILL REINFORCE THE XV IN PAULISTÃO A2] (in Portuguese). XV de Piracicaba. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  33. "Luisão, Hulk e Kléber juntos no onze" [Luisão, Hulk e Kléber in starting eleven] (in Portuguese). Benfica. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  34. "Gabon vs Brazil Report". Goal.com. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  35. "Egypt midfielder Ahmed Hassan wins 178th cap in defeat by Brazil". The Guardian. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  36. Bruno César at Soccerway
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