Donato Gama
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Donato Gama da Silva | ||
| Date of birth | 30 December 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back / Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1982–1984 | América-RJ | 36 | (1) |
| 1984–1988 | Vasco da Gama | 49 | (0) |
| 1988–1993 | Atlético Madrid | 163 | (11) |
| 1993–2003 | Deportivo La Coruña | 303 | (38) |
| Total | 551 | (50) | |
| National team | |||
| 1994–1996 | Spain | 12 | (3) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Donato Gama da Silva (born 30 December 1962), known simply as Donato, is a retired footballer who played from the 1980s to early 2000s, and the current manager of Spanish club Viveiro CF.
He spent most of his professional career in Spain – 15 years and more than 500 official games – most notably with Deportivo de La Coruña, being part of the Super Depor squads that won several major titles, including the 2000 La Liga championship.
Having started his career as a central midfielder, Donato finished it as a central defender at almost 41. He was a strong but technical player, who was able both to destroy the opposition's attacks and to help generate his own team's.
Born in Brazil, Donato represented the Spanish national team at Euro 1996.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Donato began his 20-year professional career with America Football Club in his hometown, switching to neighbours CR Vasco da Gama in 1984 and playing there for the following four years, after which he joined Spain's Atlético Madrid as one of the first signings of elusive chairman Jesús Gil. With the Colchoneros, he won back-to-back Copa del Rey trophies.
Donato moved to Deportivo de La Coruña in 1993: alongside players like Bebeto, Mauro Silva, Miroslav Đukić and Fran, he was crucial to the team's firm establishment in both La Liga and European competitions, as he scored an impressive 18 league goals in his first two seasons combined, often from free kicks, one of his main assets. He continued to feature heavily for the Galicians in the following years, helping the club win two domestic cups and the historical 1999–2000 national championship (netting three times in 29 games).
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