Bruno Alves
Encyclopedia
Bruno Eduardo Regufe Alves (born 27 November 1981 in Póvoa de Varzim
) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
in Russia
and the Portuguese national team
, as a central defender.
Alves is noted for his strength, tough tackling and aerial ability. He spent most of his professional career at F.C. Porto, winning a total of nine titles, seven as first-choice.
. He played in seven league matches for the eventual champions, but was infamously sent off
on 15 October 2005, in the 2–0 home loss against S.L. Benfica, after headbutt
ing Nuno Gomes
.
The arrival of Jesualdo Ferreira
at the helm of Porto signalled the turning point in Alves' career. He beat off stiff competition for a starting berth in the team alongside Pepe and formed a rock solid partnership with the Brazil
ian-born. An impressive season saw the player, now in his mid-twenties, finally come of age. Alves was ever-present as Porto won another national championship.
On 7 April 2009, Alves' early mistake in the season's UEFA Champions League
game against Manchester United
at Old Trafford
led to Wayne Rooney
's 1–1 equaliser; the game ended 2–2 and Porto went on to lose 3–2 on aggregate. However, on 10 May, he headed in the game's only goal in a home win over C.D. Nacional, which ensured the Dragões and the player a fourth consecutive league accolade.
's FC Zenit for €
22 million, joining compatriots Danny and Fernando Meira
in the squad. Upon his arrival, head coach Luciano Spalletti
described him as a very important player for the team, noting his experience, ability in the air and strong character.
On 30 October 2010, Alves scored his first goal for his new club, against former team AEK, in the UEFA Europa League group stage (4–2 home win).
gave Alves his full Portugal
debut in June 2007 against Kuwait
in a 1–1 away draw. He was then selected as a back-up for UEFA Euro 2008, appearing in the 2–0 group stage loss against Switzerland
.
A regular starter during the 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
, Alves headed the winner in injury time for the final 2–1 win in Albania
on 6 June 2009, as Portugal eventually reached the play-offs. There, in the first leg in Lisbon
, he also found the net (the game's only goal) against Bosnia and Herzegovina
, in an eventual 2–0 aggregate qualification; he also played all the matches and minutes in the finals in South Africa
, in an eventual round of 16 exit.
, is also a footballer, and a central defender. He has paternal Brazil
ian ancestry, his father Washington having played ten years of his career in Portugal – namely with Varzim Sport Club – where his children were born.
The youngest sibling, Júlio
, is also a footballer, in the midfielder
position.
Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim is a Portuguese city in the Norte Region and sub-region of Greater Porto, with a 2011 estimated population of 63,364. According to the 2001 census, there were 63,470 inhabitants with 42,396 living in the city proper. The urban area expanded, southwards, to Vila do Conde, and there...
) is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Football Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the Portuguese national team
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, as a central defender.
Alves is noted for his strength, tough tackling and aerial ability. He spent most of his professional career at F.C. Porto, winning a total of nine titles, seven as first-choice.
Porto
After three consecutive loans, two in Portugal and another in the Greek first division with AEK Athens FC, Alves returned to F.C. Porto in 2005–06, extending his contract until 2010, and battling for a first-team spot with Ricardo Costa and João PauloJoão Paulo Andrade
João Paulo Andrade, known as João Paulo is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Vitória de Guimarães.Mainly a central defender, he can also appear as a defensive midfielder.-Club career:...
. He played in seven league matches for the eventual champions, but was infamously sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
on 15 October 2005, in the 2–0 home loss against S.L. Benfica, after headbutt
Headbutt
A headbutt is a strike with the head, typically involving the use of robust parts of the cranium as areas of impact. Effective headbutting revolves around striking a sensitive area with a less sensitive area, such as striking the nose of an opponent with the forehead...
ing Nuno Gomes
Nuno Gomes
Nuno Miguel Soares Pereira Ribeiro , commonly known as Nuno Gomes, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for S.C. Braga as a striker.He was given the nickname Gomes during childhood after F.C...
.
The arrival of Jesualdo Ferreira
Jesualdo Ferreira
Manuel Jesualdo Ferreira is a Portuguese football manager who currently manages Greek club Panathinaikos.-Early career:In Ferreira's early career, he managed Rio Maior and Torreense...
at the helm of Porto signalled the turning point in Alves' career. He beat off stiff competition for a starting berth in the team alongside Pepe and formed a rock solid partnership with the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-born. An impressive season saw the player, now in his mid-twenties, finally come of age. Alves was ever-present as Porto won another national championship.
On 7 April 2009, Alves' early mistake in the season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
game against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
led to Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
's 1–1 equaliser; the game ended 2–2 and Porto went on to lose 3–2 on aggregate. However, on 10 May, he headed in the game's only goal in a home win over C.D. Nacional, which ensured the Dragões and the player a fourth consecutive league accolade.
Zenit
On 3 August 2010, aged 28, Alves signed with Russian Premier LeagueRussian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
's FC Zenit for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
22 million, joining compatriots Danny and Fernando Meira
Fernando Meira
Fernando José da Silva Freitas Meira is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza in Spain, as a central defender.In his country, he represented most notably Vitória de Guimarães, also playing one year with Benfica...
in the squad. Upon his arrival, head coach Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is a retired Italian footballer and current coach of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.-Playing career:Born in Certaldo, Province of Florence, Spalletti played for Serie C teams such as Entella, Spezia, Viareggio and Empoli....
described him as a very important player for the team, noting his experience, ability in the air and strong character.
On 30 October 2010, Alves scored his first goal for his new club, against former team AEK, in the UEFA Europa League group stage (4–2 home win).
International career
Luiz Felipe ScolariLuiz Felipe Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari , ComIH , also known as Felipão in Brazil and Phil Scolari in the United Kingdom, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian football manager. He is currently the manager of Palmeiras. He served as the manager of the Portuguese national team from July 12, 2003 to June 30, 2008...
gave Alves his full Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
debut in June 2007 against Kuwait
Kuwait national football team
The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
in a 1–1 away draw. He was then selected as a back-up for UEFA Euro 2008, appearing in the 2–0 group stage loss against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
.
A regular starter during the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
, Alves headed the winner in injury time for the final 2–1 win in Albania
Albania national football team
The Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
on 6 June 2009, as Portugal eventually reached the play-offs. There, in the first leg in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, he also found the net (the game's only goal) against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, in an eventual 2–0 aggregate qualification; he also played all the matches and minutes in the finals in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, in an eventual round of 16 exit.
Team
- Porto:
- Portuguese League: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–102009–10 Taça de PortugalThe 2009–10 Taça de Portugal was the 70th season of the Taça de Portugal. The competition began on 30 August 2009, with the first round matches, and concluded with the final, held on 16 May at the Estádio Nacional, in Oeiras, between defending champions Porto and then Liga de Honra team Chaves... - Portuguese SuperCup: 2006, 2009
- Portuguese League Cup: Runner-up 2009–10
- ZenitFC Zenit Saint PetersburgFootball Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League...
:- Russian LeagueRussian Premier LeagueThe Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
: 20102010 Russian Premier LeagueThe 2010 Russian Premier League is the 19th season of the Russian football championship since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and 9th under the current Russian Premier League name. The season started on 12 March 2010. The last matches have been played on 29 November 2010. On 14 November 2010,...
- Russian League
Individual
- Portuguese League Player of the Year: 2008–09
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup Taça de Portugal The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is... |
League Cup | UEFA UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | ||
| Porto B | 1999/00 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2000/01 | 36 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 36 | 6 | ||||||||
| 2001/02 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||||||||
| Farense | 2001/02 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2002/03 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | ||||||||
| Guimarães | 2003/04 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 | ||||||||
| AEK | 2004/05 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 5 | 0 | 32 | 0 | ||||||||
| Porto | 2005/06 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2006/07 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 8 | 0 | 36 | 2 | ||||||||
| 2007/08 | 27 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 37 | 2 | |
| 2008/09 | 30 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 44 | 6 | |
| 2009/10 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 35 | 5 | |
| Total | 260 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 310 | 25 | |
Personal
Alves' older brother, GeraldoGeraldo Alves
Geraldo Washington Regufe Alves is a Portuguese footballer who plays for FC Steaua Bucureşti in Liga I, as a central defender.-Club career:...
, is also a footballer, and a central defender. He has paternal Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian ancestry, his father Washington having played ten years of his career in Portugal – namely with Varzim Sport Club – where his children were born.
The youngest sibling, Júlio
Júlio Regufe Alves
Júlio Regufe Alves is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Beşiktaş J.K. in Turkey as a midfielder.-Football career:...
, is also a footballer, in the midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
position.