George Leandro Abreu de Lima
Encyclopedia
George Leandro Abreu de Lima, known as Leandro Lima or Leandrinho (born 9 November 1985 in Fortaleza
, Ceará
), is a Brazil
ian footballer who plays for Avaí Futebol Clube
as a winger.
, Lima went on to represent Brazil
at both the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
and the 2007 South American Youth Championship
, helping the national side to the triumph in the latter.
In July 2007, he penned a five-year deal with Portugal
's F.C. Porto. He struggled heavily in his first year and, furthermore, was later involved in a false documentation incident, after it was revealed that he had not been born on 19 December 1987, as initially registered (he was also "named" Luis Leandro Abreu de Lima in the initial procedures).
Lima spent the entire 2008–09 on loan to fellow first division club Vitória de Setúbal
, helping the sadinos barely avoid relegation. On 17 July 2009, he was once again loaned, returning to Brazil with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
. Shortly after, the move was made permanent.
In May 2010, after Cruzeiro was eliminated
from the Libertadores Cup by fellow Brazilian side São Paulo FC, Lima, alongside eight other teammates, was released by the club. In late August, he returned to Portugal, signing with União Desportiva de Leiria.
Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.5 million , Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of and one of the highest demographic densities in the country...
, Ceará
Ceará
Ceará is one of the 27 states of Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic coast. It is currently the 8th largest Brazilian State by population and the 17th by area. It is also one of the main touristic destinations in Brazil. The state capital is the city of...
), is a 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 footballer who plays for Avaí Futebol Clube
Avaí Futebol Clube
Avaí Futebol Clube is a Brazilian football team from Florianópolis in Santa Catarina, founded on September 1, 1923. Their best known supporter is tennis player Gustavo Kuerten.Their home stadium is the Ressacada stadium, with a capacity 17,800...
as a winger.
Club career
After making his professional debuts with Associação Desportiva São CaetanoAssociação Desportiva São Caetano
Associação Desportiva São Caetano, commonly known as São Caetano, is a Brazilian football team based in the city of São Caetano, Brazil, part of the São Paulo greater metropolitan area. The team is dubbed Azulão , after the shirt colour. The sponsor is Consul, a well known Brazilian producer of...
, Lima went on to represent Brazil
Brazil national under-20 football team
Brazil national under-20 football team, also known as Brazil Sub-20 or Seleção, is considered to be the feeder team for the Brazil national football team.-Competitive record:...
at both the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
and the 2007 South American Youth Championship
2007 South American Youth Championship
The 2007 South American Youth Championship is a football competition contested by all ten U-20 national football teams of CONMEBOL. The tournament was held in Paraguay between January 7 and January 28, 2007, it was the 23rd time the competition has been held and the 4th to take place in Paraguay...
, helping the national side to the triumph in the latter.
In July 2007, he penned a five-year deal with Portugal
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...
's F.C. Porto. He struggled heavily in his first year and, furthermore, was later involved in a false documentation incident, after it was revealed that he had not been born on 19 December 1987, as initially registered (he was also "named" Luis Leandro Abreu de Lima in the initial procedures).
Lima spent the entire 2008–09 on loan to fellow first division club Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
, helping the sadinos barely avoid relegation. On 17 July 2009, he was once again loaned, returning to Brazil with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
. Shortly after, the move was made permanent.
In May 2010, after Cruzeiro was eliminated
2010 Copa Libertadores
The 2010 Copa Libertadores de América was the 51st edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier international club tournament. The tournament began on January 26 and ended on August 18...
from the Libertadores Cup by fellow Brazilian side São Paulo FC, Lima, alongside eight other teammates, was released by the club. In late August, he returned to Portugal, signing with União Desportiva de Leiria.