Serginho (footballer, born 1971)

Sérgio Cláudio dos Santos (born 27 June 1971), better known as Serginho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a left-back and left winger. Known for his energetic attacking runs down the wing, he won the Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2007), as well as the Serie A title (in 2003–04), among other trophies with A.C. Milan. At international level, he also represented Brazil at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and was part of the team that won the 1999 Copa América. Post retirement, he has acted as manager and agent for former teammate Dida.[1]

For other people named Serginho, see Serginho.

Serginho
Serginho with Milan in 2007
Personal information
Full name Sérgio Cláudio dos Santos
Date of birth (1971-06-27) 27 June 1971
Place of birth Nilópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Left-back, left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1993 Itaperuna 7 (0)
1993–1994 Bahia 11 (1)
1994–1995 Flamengo 17 (3)
1995–1996 Cruzeiro 23 (8)
1996–1999 São Paulo 58 (21)
1999–2008 Milan 185 (18)
Total 301 (51)
International career
1998–2001 Brazil 10 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Copa América
Winner1999 Paraguay
FIFA Confederations Cup
Runner-up1999 Mexico
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Serginho initially began his professional footballing career in his home country and played for clubs Cruzeiro, Bahia and São Paulo. He moved to Italian side A.C. Milan in 1999, where he was initially a fringe player, starting on the bench but often being the first-choice substitute. The apex of Serginho's Milan career was when he scored a goal and contributed three assists in a 6–0 thrashing of crosstown rivals Inter Milan on 11 May 2001.[2] He also contributed to Milan's 2003 UEFA Champions League victory over Juventus, scoring the first of Milan's three successful penalties in the shootout.[3] The 2005 Champions League Final was a reversal of fortune, however, as Milan surrendered a 3–0 lead at half-time and eventually lost on penalties to Liverpool, with Serginho whistling his shot over the crossbar.[4] Serginho also won the 2003–04 Serie A title[5] and the 2006–07 edition of the UEFA Champions League with Milan,[6] among other trophies.

On 16 May 2008, it was announced that Serginho and compatriot Cafu would be leaving Milan at the end of the 2007–08 season.[7] Serginho also immediately announced his retirement at the end of the season. On 18 May, he played the final minutes of the match against Udinese and appeared quite moved at the end of the game.

International career

Serginho earned ten caps with the Brazil national team between 1998 and 2001, with his sole goal scored in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup Final.[8] He would undoubtedly have won more caps, if not for the ever-present Roberto Carlos as the national team's starting left-back during Serginho's whole career. Internationally, Serginho represented his nation at the 1999 Confederations Cup,[8] where his team won a runners-up medal, and at the 1999 Copa América, winning the latter tournament. He did not make it in Brazil's squad for the 2002 World Cup because of a hamstring injury.

Style of play

Serginho was an incredibly fast and hard-working, offensive-minded player, who could play either as left back or wing back, or even on the left wing. He maintained his extraordinary pace and stamina well into his mid-late 30s. In addition to his speed and energy, he was also known to be an excellent crosser of the ball, and for having a knack for making overlapping runs and getting into good attacking positions, which allowed him to regularly contribute to his team's offence with several assists and even goals. His nickname throughout his career was Il Concorde ("The Concorde"), due to his quick and tireless attacking runs down the left flank of the pitch.[9][10][11]

Honours
Bahia
São Paulo
A.C. Milan[12]
Brazil[13]

Individual

References
  1. Werlang, Hector (7 October 2013). "Da propaganda às festas na Bahia: 40 anos de Dida, o 'goleiro calado'". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  2. Ingle, Sean (14 May 2001). "Serginho plunges Inter into the dark". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  3. "Milan win Champions League shoot-out". BBC Sport. 28 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. "AC Milan 3–3 Liverpool (aet)". BBC Sport. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. "Roma clinch Italian title". BBC Sport. 17 June 2001.
  6. McNulty, Phil (23 May 2007). "AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  7. "Soccer-Cafu and Serginho to leave AC Milan". Reuters. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  8. "La noche que México venció a Brasil y el Azteca rugió al son de la victoria" [The night Mexico beat Brazil and the Azteca roared to the sound of victory]. Meido Tiempo. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. "A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Sérgio Cláudio dos Santos (Serginho)". A.C. Milan. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  10. Giancarla Ghisi; Roberto Perrone; Giorgio Rondelli (13 September 1999). "Corre il Milan a trazione brasiliana". Il Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  11. Fabio Bianchi; Andrea Masala (9 February 2000). "Super Serginho". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  12. "SERGINHO". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  13. "Serginho". Eurosport. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
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