Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo

AC Milan & Brazil

Birthdate: September 5, 1969
Birthplace: Niteroi (Rio de Janeiro), Brazil
Height: 177 cms
Weight: 73 kgs
Position: Midfielder
Games & Goals with National Team: 57 caps, 8 goals (as of June 2, 2000)
Debut in National team: October 17, 1990 vs. Chile (D 0-0)

He was nurtured in the Flamengo youth squads of Rio de Janeiro. He made his debut at the age of 18 years, he played 52 matches for the Brasilian "Rossoneri". He then moved to São Paolo where he achieved his first throphies. In 1991 he moved on to European football where he joined Spanish club Valencia. He played there for two years (1991-93) playing a total of 70 matches scoring 7 goals in the process. In 1993, Leonardo moved back to Sao Paolo where he had a hand in defeating Milan in the Intercontinental Cup final in Tokyo. He then moved on to Japan where he stayed on for two seasons (1994-96) with the Kashima Antlers where he was called upon to substitute none other than Zico. From there he came back to European football with Paris Saint Germain where he played for only one season playing 32 matches and scoring 7 goals, managing to reach the Cup Winners Cup final, scoring 3 goals in 7 matches and arriving second in the French league. The player then moved to Milan in Italy when he was transferred at a very late stage in September. Leonardo The playmaker role in midfield. Played as a left-back in 1994 WC but missed the matches from the quarter-finals onwards after being sent off for elbowing Tab Ramos. Refused to play 1999 Copa America, because he wanted to be team's captain, but Luxemburgo denied him that privilege saying that Cafu deserve it more.

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