Geovanni Deiberson Maurício

Geovanni

Geovanni with San Jose Earthquakes in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Geovanni Deiberson Maurício Gómez
Date of birth	(1980-01-11) 11 January 1980 (age 37)
Place of birth	Acaiaca, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Attacking Midfielder / Winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–2001	Cruzeiro	46	(12)
1998–1999	→ América-MG (loan)	15	(1)
2001–2003	Barcelona	26	(1)
2003	→ Benfica (loan)	17	(3)
2003–2006	Benfica	74	(13)
2006–2007	Cruzeiro	14	(2)
2007–2008	Manchester City	19	(3)
2008–2010	Hull City	60	(11)
2010	San Jose Earthquakes	12	(1)
2011–2012	Vitória	37	(3)
2012–2013	América-MG	10	(1)
2013	Bragantino	11	(1)
Total		341	(52)
National team
2000	Brazil U23	6	(0)
2001	Brazil	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Geovanni Deiberson Maurício Gómez (born 11 January 1980), known simply as Geovanni, is a retired Brazilian footballer. He was mostly used as an attacking midfielder but was also able to play on both wings and up front.

When Geovanni emerged from the youth set-up at Cruzeiro most Brazilian critics were intrigued by his talents and believed he could become a great player at the highest level. When Geovanni was 18 he enjoyed a successful loan spell at America, scoring one goal in 15 games at the right wing position. He instantly commanded a first team place at the Brazilian team. Once his loan spell had finished he immediately found his way into the first team of Cruzeiro and was a fan favourite at the Belo Horizonte club.

Geovanni was purchased by Barcelona for €18m in summer 2001, signing a four-year deal, despite reported interest from Arsenal and Juventus. Geovanni scored his first goal for Barcelona against Real Zaragoza. Geovanni made 21 La Liga appearances scoring 1 goal, mostly as a substitute. In his second season, he fell out with coach Carles Rexach and was not featured in Barcelona's starting 11 for the majority of the season and only played 5 league matches. Geovanni was then loaned out to Portuguese club Benfica the following season.

In 2003 Geovanni agreed on terms with Benfica and was signed on a free transfer, agreeing to a four-year deal, after an impressive spell with Benfica on loan from Barcelona. Geovanni scored his first goal for Benfica against Braga scoring a free kick. Geovanni was a mainstay in the Benfica starting line-up and was hugely involved in winning 3 trophies for Benfica, the Portuguese Cup, Portuguese League and Portuguese Supercup. In 2004 and 2005, he was named "Benfica Player of the Year". In 2005, he scored a memorable diving header in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United.