Bruno César

Bruno César Zanaki (born 3 November 1988) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as attacking midfielder for Penafiel, on loan from Vasco da Gama.

Bruno César

Bruno César playing for Sporting in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Bruno César Zanaki
Date of birth	3 November 1988
Place of birth	Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, Brazil
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team	Penafiel (on loan from Vasco da Gama)
Number	10
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–	Vasco da Gama	41	(4)
2020–	→ Penafiel (loan)	2	(0)
National team
2011	Brazil	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 January 2020 (UTC)

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.

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.[32]

César debuted for the Canarinha on 10 November in a 2–0 win against Gabon.[33] His second cap came four days later against Egypt in another 2–0 win.[34]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 April 2017[35]

Club	Season	League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Paulista		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ulbra	2009	3	1	0	0	—	—	—	—	0	0	3	1
	Total	3	1	0	0	—	—	—	—	0	0	3	1
Noroeste	2009	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	12	1	12	1
	Total	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	12	1	12	1
Santo André	2009	1	1	0	0	—	—	—	—	0	0	1	0
	2010	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	21	7	21	7
	Total	1	1	0	0	—	—	0	0	21	7	22	7
Corinthians	2010	31	14	0	0	—	—	—	—	0	0	31	14
	2011	0	0	0	0	—	—	1	0	18	1	19	1
	Total	31	14	0	0	—	—	1	0	18	1	50	15
Benfica	2011–12	26	10	2	1	4	0	12	2	—	—	44	13
	2012–13	6	0	3	0	2	0	5	0	—	—	16	0
	Total	32	10	5	1	6	0	17	2	—	—	60	13
Al-Ahli	2012–13	8	3	4	2	—	—	7	3	—	—	19	8
	2013–14	8	4	0	0	—	—	2	0	—	—	11	4
	2014–15	10	1	1	0	1	1	7	1	—	—	19	3
	Total	26	8	5	2	1	1	16	4	—	—	48	15
Palmeiras (loan)	2014	7	0	0	0	—	—	0	0	8	0	15	0
	Total	7	0	0	0	—	—	0	0	8	0	15	0
Estoril	2015–16	10	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	—	—	11	1
	Total	10	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	—	—	11	1
Sporting CP	2015–16	16	4	0	0	1	0	1	0	—	—	18	4
	2016–17	27	2	4	1	1	0	6	2	–	–	38	5
	Total	43	5	4	1	2	0	7	2	–	–	55	9
Career totals		142	40	11	3	8	1	36	6	59	9	256	59

International

National team Club Season Apps Goals Brazil Benfica 2011 2 0 Total 2 0

International appearances and goals # Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition 2011 1. 10 November 2011 Stade d'Angondjé, Gabon  Gabon 2–0 0 Friendly 2. 14 November 2011 Al-Rayyan Stadium, Qatar  Egypt 2–0 0 Friendly

Honours

Club

Grêmio

• Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20: 2008
• Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores: 2008

Corinthians

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2011

Benfica

• Taça da Liga: 2011–12

Al Ahli

• Saudi Crown Prince Cup: 2014–15

Sporting CP

• Taça da Liga: 2017–18
• Taça de Portugal: 2018–19

Individual

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Newcomer: 2010

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. "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.
33. "Gabon vs Brazil Report". Goal.com. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
34. "Egypt midfielder Ahmed Hassan wins 178th cap in defeat by Brazil". The Guardian. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
35. "Bruno César – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soocerway. Retrieved 7 February 2015.

External links

• Stats at ogol.com.br
• Bruno César at ForaDeJogo
• Bruno César at Soccerway