 |
GiulianoBrazilian footballer, midfielder
Date of Birth: 31.05.1990
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Early Life and Childhood
- Football Beginnings:
- Club Career
- Dnepr:
- Gremio:
- Zenit:
- Fenerbahçe:
- International Career
Early Life and Childhood
Vitor Hugo Gomes Passos, known as Giuliano, was born on May 31, 1990, in the seaside city of Curitiba, Brazil. He grew up in a modest household with seven siblings, raised by a homemaker mother, Carcilia, and a father who had a penchant for gambling. Poverty was a constant companion, as Giuliano recalls, "Once, when I was 10 years old, I was very hungry. I went to my mom and said, 'I'm really hungry.' She just closed her eyes because she had nothing to give me. I only had water and a nap." At the age of 14, his parents divorced, with Giuliano choosing to reside with his mother while maintaining a close bond with his father, whom he would later assist in purchasing a bar in Curitiba.
Football Beginnings:
Like countless Brazilian children, Giuliano's footballing journey began on the dusty streets of his neighborhood. He joined a local futsal team, Paraná, and within months, he was transitioned to the larger field. Oftentimes, he played barefoot or borrowed boots from older teammates. It wasn't until he was 12 that the Paraná coaching staff, impressed by his exceptional talent, provided him with a complete kit.
Club Career
Paraná and Internacional:Giuliano inked his first professional contract with Paraná in 2007, earning accolades as the best player in the Serie B during his debut season. In 2009, he caught the attention of Internacional, one of the top clubs in Brazil at the time, who acquired him as a replacement for Alex, who had joined Russian club Spartak Moscow. Giuliano quickly established himself in the starting lineup and became a regular for Brazil's U-20 national team, winning the South American Championship at that level.
At Internacional, Giuliano excelled on the right wing, forming an attacking trio with Sandro and Andres D'Alessandro. He emulated the dribbling and individual brilliance of his idol, Ronaldinho. Success came swiftly, as Giuliano helped the team triumph in the Campeonato Gaúcho, reach the final of the Copa do Brasil, and finish as runners-up in the league. The following season proved to be his most remarkable. Internacional lifted the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition, with Giuliano as a key contributor.
Dnepr:
After his triumph with Internacional, Giuliano set his sights on Europe. In January 2011, he made a high-profile move to Ukrainian club Dnipro, reportedly fielding interest from Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United. The transfer fee of €11 million remains Dnipro's record signing. The transition proved initially challenging for Giuliano. "It was really hard," he confessed. "I couldn't understand what people were saying around me. I couldn't adapt to the team's style of play and to Ukrainian football."
However, Giuliano gradually overcame these obstacles, becoming a vital cog in the team's midfield, connecting defense and attack. Dnipro hired a personal trainer to aid in his physical development, and by the 2012/13 campaign, he emerged as a true leader, scoring 9 goals and contributing 7 assists in 28 appearances.
Gremio:
In 2013, Giuliano requested a transfer to either Western Europe or South America, citing his wife's inability to acclimate to Ukraine's climate. Dnipro refused, and Giuliano reluctantly played another season before departing as a free agent for Grêmio.
Zenit:
In July 2016, Giuliano joined Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg for a fee of €7 million. Mircea Lucescu, Zenit's manager at the time, was familiar with Giuliano from their encounters in the Ukrainian championship. He quickly became an integral part of the team, scoring 17 goals and providing 8 assists in his debut season. However, after one campaign, Giuliano opted to leave Russia.
Fenerbahçe:
In August 2017, Giuliano secured a €7 million move to Turkish club Fenerbahçe, where he has established himself as a key player.
International Career
Giuliano represented Brazil at the U-20 level, winning the South American Championship and reaching the final of the World Cup. He made his debut for the senior national team in a friendly against Iran in 2010. Despite several appearances in friendlies, he has yet to feature in a competitive international match.
