Juliano Belletti

Juliano Haus Belletti (born 20 June 1976 in Cascavel), is a Brazilian Association football who plays for Chelsea F.C. as a Defender (association football) and sometimes midfielder. Juliano Belletti was awarded by Placar with the Silver Ball for Juliano Belletti continuous great performances for Clube Atlético Mineiro during the 1999 Brazilian Série A.

Club career

Juliano Belletti started Juliano Belletti career playing for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in 1993. In 1995, Juliano Belletti moved to São Paulo Futebol Clube, where Juliano Belletti earned a solid spot in the starting lineup. In 1999 Juliano Belletti played for Clube Atlético Mineiro where Juliano Belletti was vice-champion of the Brazilian League. Rumors linked Juliano Belletti with a move to La Liga side Valencia CF in 2001, but the move fell apart at the last minute. In 2002, Juliano Belletti finally moved to Europe, going to Villarreal CF. In 2004, after a successful spell at Villarreal Juliano Belletti signed for FC Barcelona where Juliano Belletti became the first-choice right back and a key set piece taker in the squad.

Barcelona

After winning the Spanish La Liga title in Juliano Belletti first season, Belletti gradually fell out of favor both in Barcelona and in the Brazilian National Team. Being a regular in 04–05 season, Juliano Belletti saw a tough competition from Catalan Oleguer Presas. Still, Juliano Belletti played most of Juliano Belletti second season in-and-out of the first team.

Belletti scored Juliano Belletti first and only goal with F.C. Barcelona on the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. On May 17, 2006, in the Stade de France, Paris, Belletti's club Barcelona played England club Arsenal F.C. in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Oleguer was preferred to start rather than Belletti, and Juliano Belletti had to make do with a place on the substitute (football) bench. But when manager Frank Rijkaard brought Juliano Belletti on for Oleguer Juliano Belletti scored the second goal in a 2–1 come-from-behind win which gave them the 2006 UEFA Champions League crown.

Juliano Belletti third season was marked by injuries, and the new competition from Gianluca Zambrotta proved too much for him. Juliano Belletti played very little in Barcelona's season that ended with nothing.

Chelsea

On August 23, 2007, Chelsea F.C. officially announced that Belletti had signed a three-year contract after the player agreed personal terms and passed a medical. Juliano Belletti made Juliano Belletti English Premier League debut for Chelsea on August 25, 2007, when Juliano Belletti came on as a substitute for John Obi Mikel in the 64th minute of their home game against Portsmouth F.C., with the game ending 1–0 to Chelsea.

Juliano Belletti made Juliano Belletti first start for Chelsea F.C. against Aston Villa F.C. at Villa Park. Despite a strong debut, Chelsea lost the game 2-0. Following the departure of José Mourinho, Belletti became a regular starter in the right-back position for Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Carling Cup games, facing competition from Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien for Juliano Belletti place in the team. In Juliano Belletti first season at Chelsea, Belletti scored two goals, both shots from long-range, the first away at Wigan Athletic in November 2007, and the second at Stamford Bridge (stadium) against Tottenham Hotspur in January 2008. The latter was eventually voted by Chelsea supporters as Chelsea Goal of the Season 2007–08.

Jose Bosingwa's arrival at Chelsea at the start of the 2008–09 season caused Belletti's relinquishment of the right-back position at Stamford Bridge. However, Luiz Felipe Scolari, gave Belletti playing time as a utility player, providing valuable back-up in the central midfielder, defensive midfielder and right wing positions. Juliano Belletti long-range shots have given Juliano Belletti cult status among the Chelsea support. In October 2008, Juliano Belletti added to Juliano Belletti collection of spectacular goals with a powerful shot from 30 yards, in to the top corner, against Middlesbrough F.C. at the Riverside Stadium, for Juliano Belletti fourth league goal for the club. Belletti scored Juliano Belletti 3rd goal of the 2008-09 season against Stoke City F.C. scoring the leveling goal before team mate Frank Lampard scored the winner in the dying seconds.

Honours

Cruzeiro

- Minas Gerais State Championship: 1994

Atlético Mineiro

- Minas Gerais State Championship: 1999

São Paulo

- São Paulo State Championship: 1998, 2000
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 2001

Barcelona

- UEFA Champions League: 2006
- La Liga: 2004-05, 2005-06
- Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006

Chelsea

- FA Cup: 2009

Brazil

- FIFA World Cup: 2002