Maicon (footballer, born September 1988)

Maicon Pereira Roque (born 14 September 1988), known simply as Maicon, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Vasco da Gama.

Maicon
Maicon with Santos in 2022
Personal information
Full name Maicon Pereira Roque[1]
Date of birth (1988-09-14) 14 September 1988 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Barretos, Brazil
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Vasco da Gama
Number 4
Youth career
Mamoré
2006–2007 Cruzeiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Cruzeiro 1 (0)
2007Cabofriense (loan) 8 (0)
2008–2009Nacional (loan) 28 (0)
2009–2016 Porto 116 (11)
2013 Porto B 1 (1)
2016São Paulo (loan) 18 (2)
2016–2017 São Paulo 40 (2)
2017–2020 Galatasaray 45 (6)
2019–2020Al Nassr (loan) 28 (0)
2020–2021 Al Nassr 25 (0)
2022 Cruzeiro 3 (0)
2022–2023 Santos 34 (0)
2023– Vasco da Gama 16 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:48, 22 December 2023 (UTC)

He spent most of his career with Porto, appearing in 183 games and winning 11 honours, including three Primeira Liga titles and the UEFA Europa League in 2011. Previously of Nacional, he totalled 144 games in Portugal's top flight. He additionally played for two years at São Paulo, and won the Süper Lig with Turkey's Galatasaray in 2018.

Club career

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Cruzeiro

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Born in Barretos, São Paulo, Maicon started off his career with Cruzeiro. He made his first-team debut on 6 May 2007, coming on as a second-half substitute for fellow youth graduate Wellington in a 2–0 home win against rivals Atlético Mineiro in the second leg of the Campeonato Mineiro finals, lost 4–2 on aggregate.[2]

In 2008, Maicon moved on loan to modest Cabofriense.[3] Upon returning, he was a part of Cruzeiro's reserves that went on a trip to Portugal and played three friendlies in the country.[4]

Maicon had his first abroad adventure in the 2008–09 campaign, being a defensive mainstay for Madeira's Nacional[5] which again qualified for European competition.[6]

Porto

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Maicon with Porto in 2013

On 4 June 2009, Maicon moved to Primeira Liga champions Porto in a contract running until 2014.[7][8][9] He appeared in only four games in his first year, starting with a 2–1 home victory over Rio Ave on 29 November;[10] on 24 April 2010 he scored a first goal in a 5–2 away defeat of Vitória de Setúbal.[11]

After Bruno Alves left for Zenit, Maicon became a first-team regular in 2010–11, playing 37 competitive matches as Porto won the treble (including eight in the victorious run in the UEFA Europa League). In the following season – under new manager Vítor Pereira – after Cristian Săpunaru's injury, he beat competition from Jorge Fucile and began being often utilised as a right-back.[12]

On 2 March 2012, after a free kick, Maicon headed a late goal in a 3–2 away win over Benfica.[13] He scored five goals from 35 appearances over two seasons, helping his team to back-to-back national championships; in October he was awarded the Dragão de Ouro as the club's Player of the Year.[14]

Maicon made his only appearance for the reserves in Segunda Liga on 3 February 2013, and scored a free kick from his own half in the 3–1 home victory against Oliveirense.[15] He headed home the 2–1 winner over Chelsea in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League on 29 September 2015, in what was his third competitive goal of the campaign.[16]

São Paulo

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On 14 February 2016, having been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager José Peseiro, Maicon was loaned to São Paulo;[17] upon arriving, he stated that the move was "a dream come true".[18] He made his debut in the Campeonato Paulista on 1 March in a 2–0 home win against Mogi Mirim.[19] On 2 April, he missed a penalty before scoring the last-minute winner in a 2–1 victory over Oeste at the Estádio do Morumbi.[20]

Maicon signed a permanent deal for R$22 million on 28 June 2016, as Porto also ceded 50% of the sporting rights to fellow defenders Inácio and Lucão.[21]

Galatasaray

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In July 2017, Maicon returned to European football, signing a four-year deal for Galatasaray for a fee of €7 million.[22] He scored a career-best five goals – all in the first half of the campaign – as the team from Istanbul won the Süper Lig in his first season, including two on 30 September in a 3–2 home win against Kardemir Karabükspor.[23]

Al Nassr

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On 5 February 2019, Al Nassr paid €1.7 million to gain Maicon on loan for 18 months.[24] The Saudi Professional League club paid a further €1.4 million to sign him permanently in August 2020.[25] In the 2019 Saudi Super Cup on 4 January 2020, he scored the decisive attempt in the side's shootout defeat of Al Taawoun (1–1 after 120 minutes).[26]

Maicon joined permanently in 2020, but terminated his contract on 19 June 2021.[27]

Return to Cruzeiro

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On 25 November 2021, Maicon returned to his first club Cruzeiro after agreeing to a three-year deal.[28] However, a directorial change caused him to terminate his link after just three matches.[29]

Santos

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Maicon with Santos in 2022

On 8 March 2022, just hours after leaving Cruzeiro, Maicon signed a two-year contract with Santos.[30] He made his debut on 5 April, starting in a 1–0 Copa Sudamericana away loss against Banfield.[31]

A regular starter during the 2022 season, Maicon subsequently lost that status to new signings Joaquim Henrique and Messias.[32][33] On 20 June 2023, he left after rescinding his contract.[34]

Vasco da Gama

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On 28 June 2023, Maicon joined Vasco da Gama on a short-term deal.[35] In December, he agreed to a one-year extension.[36]

Personal life

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Maicon hailed from a family of footballers: his father Maurides played amateur football, while his younger brothers Muller and Maurides were professionals, the former as a forward and the latter also as a stopper.[37] Maicon faced Maurides twice in the 2015–16 season, when his sibling was a member of Arouca.[38]

In Brazil, Maicon was given the nickname God of Zaga, due to his play and resemblance to Kratos from the videogame series God of War.[39][40]

Career statistics

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As of 22 December 2023[41]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State League[a] National cup[b] League cup[c] Continental[d] Other[e] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cruzeiro 2007[42] Série A 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Cabofriense (loan) 2008[43] Carioca 8 0 8 0
Nacional 2008–09 Primeira Liga 28 0 5 0 4 0 37 0
Porto 2009–10 Primeira Liga 4 1 3 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 12 1
2010–11 Primeira Liga 21 2 5 0 2 0 8 0 1 0 37 2
2011–12 Primeira Liga 20 3 2 0 3 0 5 0 1 0 31 3
2012–13 Primeira Liga 15 2 0 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 21 2
2013–14 Primeira Liga 16 1 2 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 27 1
2014–15 Primeira Liga 26 0 2 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 39 0
2015–16 Primeira Liga 13 2 2 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 18 3
Total 116 11 0 0 16 0 14 0 37 1 3 0 183 12
São Paulo 2016 Série A 32 2 9 1 1 0 9 1 51 4
2017 Série A 7 0 10 1 4 0 0 0 21 1
Total 39 2 19 2 5 0 9 1 72 5
Galatasaray 2017–18 Süper Lig 30 5 3 0 2 0 35 5
2018–19 Süper Lig 15 1 2 0 4 0 1 0 22 1
Total 45 6 0 0 5 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 57 6
Al Nassr 2018–19 Saudi Pro League 7 0 1 0 0 0 8 0
2019–20 Saudi Pro League 28 0 4 0 5 0 1 0 38 0
2020–21 Saudi Pro League 18 0 1 0 6 0 25 0
Total 53 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 11 0 1 0 71 0
Cruzeiro 2022 Série B 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0
Santos 2022 Série A 23 0 2 0 3 0 28 0
2023 1 0 10 0 1 0 2 0 14 0
Total 24 0 10 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 42 0
Vasco da Gama 2023 Série A 16 0 16 0
Career total 321 19 41 2 40 0 18 0 68 2 5 0 490 23

Honours

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Porto

Galatasaray

Al Nassr

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Maicon" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Atlético é campeão mineiro mesmo derrotado pelo Cruzeiro" [Atlético are Mineiro champions even after being defeated by Cruzeiro] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Maicon, ex-Cruzeiro, marca golaço a 60 metros de distância para o Porto B" [Maicon, formerly of Cruzeiro, scores 60-metre wonder goal for Porto B]. Extra (in Portuguese). 4 February 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  4. ^ Arruda, Rafael (24 November 2021). "Cruzeiro se aproxima de acerto com zagueiro Maicon, cria da Toca e ex-Porto" [Cruzeiro get closer to deal with stopper Maicon, home-grown at the Toca and formerly of Porto] (in Portuguese). Super Esportes. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  5. ^ Andrade, David (21 May 2009). "Maicon é 100% do Cruzeiro, Nacional será indemnizado" [Maicon belongs 100% to Cruzeiro, Nacional to receive compensation]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Manuel Machado quer vencer em Alvalade e conta com Nené" [Manuel Machado wants to win in Alvalade and counts on Nené] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Cruzeiro concretiza negociação do zagueiro Maicon com o Porto" [Cruzeiro seal deal of defender Maicon with FC Porto] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Maicon and Pereira sign as Porto secure Ferreira". UEFA. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Maicon assinou por cinco temporadas" [Maicon signed for five seasons] (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  10. ^ "Rio Ave correu mais mas rematou muito menos" [Rio Ave ran more but attempted a lot less shots]. Record (in Portuguese). 30 November 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Porto goleia Setúbal" [Porto thrash Setúbal] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Maicon sob pressão" [Maicon under pressure]. Record (in Portuguese). 5 December 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  13. ^ Shave, Ben (2 March 2012). "Benfica 2–3 FC Porto". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Maicon eleito futebolista do ano" [Maicon voted footballer of the year]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 29 October 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  15. ^ "FC Porto B-Oliveirense, 3–1: Maicon marca antes do meio-campo" [FC Porto B-Oliveirense, 3–1: Maicon scores from beyond halfway]. Record (in Portuguese). 3 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Maicon makes sure Porto profit as Chelsea slump". UEFA. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Maicon de saída: São Paulo é o destino" [Maicon leaving: São Paulo the destination]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 14 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  18. ^ "São Paulo anuncia contratação por empréstimo de zagueiro Maicon, do Porto" [São Paulo announce loan signing of Maicon, from Porto] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  19. ^ Ghirotto, Edoardo (1 March 2016). "Diante de público pífio, São Paulo faz o suficiente e vence o Mogi Mirim" [In front of a meagre crowd, São Paulo does enough and beats Mogi Mirim]. Gazeta Esportiva (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  20. ^ Fernandes, Thiago (3 April 2016). "São Paulo 2 x 1 Oeste: Maicon perde pênalti, mas garante virada no final" [São Paulo 2 x 1 Oeste: Maicon misses penalty, but guarantees comeback at the end] (in Portuguese). Goal. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  21. ^ Palenzuela, Guilherme (28 June 2016). "Porto aceita troca, e São Paulo confirma contratação de Maicon" [Porto accept swap, and São Paulo confirm signing of Maicon] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  22. ^ "Maicon revela ter alcunha de "deus da defesa"" [Maicon reveals his nickname "God of the defence"]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 1 July 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Football: Galatasaray's Maicon levels his career-best". Anadolu Agency. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  24. ^ Erel, Fatih (5 February 2019). "Maicon joins Al-Nassr on loan from Galatasaray". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  25. ^ Asikci, Emre (2 August 2020). "Galatasaray's Maicon joins Al-Nassr on permanent deal". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  26. ^ Fernandes, Mariana (4 January 2020). "Depois do Campeonato, Al Nassr de Rui Vitória conquista Supertaça da Arábia Saudita" [After League, Rui Vitória's Al Nassr conquer Saudi Super Cup]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Ex-São Paulo e Porto, Maicon rescinde contrato com o Al-Nassr e está livre no mercado" [Formerly of São Paulo and Porto, Maicon rescinds contract with Al-Nassr and is a free agent] (in Portuguese). TNT Sports. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  28. ^ ""The God of Zaga está de volta": Cruzeiro oficializa contratação do zagueiro Maicon" ["The God of Zaga is back": Cruzeiro make signing of stopper Maicon official] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  29. ^ Duarte, Gabriel (8 March 2022). "Maicon acerta rescisão no Cruzeiro e fica livre para assinar com o Santos" [Maicon agree rescision at Cruzeiro and is free to sign with Santos] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  30. ^ Anjos, Vitor (8 March 2022). "Santos FC acerta contratação do zagueiro Maicon, quinto reforço para 2022" [Santos FC agree signing of stopper Maicon, fifth addition for 2022] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  31. ^ "Santos joga mal e perde do Banfield na estreia do time na Copa Sul-Americana" [Santos play poorly and lose to Banfield on their debut in the South American Cup] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  32. ^ "Maicon, Joaquim, Bauermann ou Messias? Compare a temporada dos zagueiros do Santos" [Maicon, Joaquim, Bauermann or Messias? Compare the season of Santos' stoppers]. Lance! (in Portuguese). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  33. ^ Brino, Gabriela (20 December 2023). "Santos define manutenção de dupla de zaga como uma de suas prioridades" [Santos say keeping stopper duo is one of their priorities] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  34. ^ Anjos, Vitor (20 June 2023). "Santos FC assina rescisão contratual em comum acordo com zagueiro Maicon" [Santos FC sign contractual rescision on a mutual agreement with stopper Maicon] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Vasco anuncia o zagueiro Maicon, segundo reforço na janela" [Vasco announce centre-back Maicon, second window addition] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  36. ^ "Vasco acerta renovação de contrato do zagueiro Maicon" [Vasco agree centre-back Maicon's contract renewal] (in Portuguese). CR Vasco da Gama. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  37. ^ Musetti Perazolli, Lucas; Brino, Gabriela (23 September 2022). "Santos: 'Pai' de todos, Maicon viu liderança surgir na roça aos sete anos" [Santos: 'Father' of everyone, Maicon saw his leadership arise in the countryside at the age of seven] (in Portuguese). Universo Online. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  38. ^ Porto, Marcio (10 September 2016). "Maicon x Maurides: São Paulo e Figueirense reúne duelo de irmãos" [Maicon vs Maurides: São Paulo and Figueirense generates duel of brothers] (in Portuguese). Terra. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Na Turquia, Maicon rechaça apelido de 'God of Zaga': 'Sou um ser humano que pode cometer erros'" [In Turkey, Maicon rejects 'God of Zaga' nickname: 'I'm a human being that can make mistakes'] (in Portuguese). ESPN. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  40. ^ ""The God of Zaga está de volta": Cruzeiro oficializa contratação do zagueiro Maicon" ["The God of Zaga is back": Cruzeiro confirm signing of stopper Maicon] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Maicon". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  42. ^ "Temporada 2007" [2007 season] (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro EC. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Associação Desportiva Cabofriense – Campeonato Estadual da Primeira Divisão de profisssionais – 2008" [Associação Desportiva Cabofriense – Professional First Division State Championship – 2008] (in Portuguese). Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
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