Eighty-two caps for the Japan national team define the career of Alessandro Santos, a midfielder who moved from his native Brazil to Japan at sixteen. After relocating to Kōchi to attend Meitoku Gijuku High School, he successfully transitioned into professional football within the J1 League, eventually obtaining Japanese citizenship to represent his adopted country on the international stage.
Early Career and Shimizu S-Pulse
Born in Maringá in 1977, Santos arrived in Japan in 1994. By 1997, he secured a position with Shimizu S-Pulse. His impact was immediate; the club finished second in the league in 1999, a year in which he earned the J.League Player of the Year award. His time at Shimizu also included success in the 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and an Emperor's Cup victory in 2001.
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In August 2002, a £2.5 million transfer to the English Premier League club Charlton Athletic was blocked by the Home Office, which denied a work permit due to insufficient international appearances. Santos returned to Japan, later joining the Urawa Reds in January 2004. During his tenure there, the club achieved consecutive second-place finishes before winning the J1 League title in 2006. He also experienced a loan period with Red Bull Salzburg in 2007, where he contributed to an Austrian Bundesliga title.
International Representation
After naturalizing in 2001, Santos debuted for the Japan national team on 21 March 2002 against Ukraine. Under manager Zico, he operated as a left-sided full-back or midfielder. He played in every match during Japan's successful 2004 Asian Cup campaign. Over his international career, he made 82 appearances and scored 7 goals, notably recording an assist against his birth country, Brazil, during group stage play in 2006.
Later Years and Post-Playing Activity
Following his spell at Urawa, Santos moved to Nagoya Grampus in 2009, making 55 appearances and winning the J1 League in 2010. His later career included stints with Tochigi SC in 2013, where he scored twice in 25 matches, and a move to FC Gifu in 2014. In 2020, he turned his focus to management and development by founding Aruko Sports Brasil, which participates in the Campeonato Paranaense.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 July 1977, Maringá
- Citizenship: Japan, Brazil
- Primary Position: Midfielder
- Japan national team appearances: 82
- International goals: 7
- J.League Player of the Year: 1999
- Professional debut: 1997
Questions readers ask
Why did his transfer to Charlton Athletic fail?
The UK Home Office denied his work permit because he had not reached the required threshold of international appearances for the Japan national team.
What is Aruko Sports Brasil?
Founded by Santos in 2020, it is a football team that competes in the Campeonato Paranaense.
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