Sylvinho

Sylvio Mendes Campos Junior, more commonly known as Sylvinho, sometimes alternatively spelled Silvinho, (born April 12, 1974 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian football (soccer) player, who is currently without a club, having previously played for FC Barcelona of the Spain La Liga. Sylvinho usually plays on the left, as an attacking Fullback (football) and is known for overlapping.

Club career

Sylvinho started Sylvinho career at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista from 1994 until 1999. In 1999 Sylvinho became the first ever Brazilian player to sign for England club Arsenal F.C.. Before long Sylvinho was first choice at left back displacing long-time fan-favourite Nigel Winterburn. Sylvinho had a setback early on in Sylvinho first season when Sylvinho missed a penalty in a shootout as Arsenal crashed out of the League Cup to Middlesbrough F.C., and that season finished in similar heartbreak as Arsenal F.C. lost 4-1 on penalties against Turkey club Galatasaray S.K. in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final, although this time Sylvinho did not take a penalty. During Sylvinho second season at the club Sylvinho was displaced by Ashley Cole. Sylvinho stay only lasted for two years but in Sylvinho short spell there Sylvinho gained many friends and admirers and scored several spectacular goals including ones against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Chelsea.

In 2001 Sylvinho moved to Celta de Vigo and played there for three years, scoring once in the league against Barcelona, Sylvinho future club. In 2004, after a transfer fee of €2 million, Sylvinho was signed by FC Barcelona, where Sylvinho won three domestic leagues in 2005, 2006 and 2009, as well as the Champions League in 2006 and 2009. Sylvinho is amongst many players who have switched between FC Barcelona and Arsenal F.C, like Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Cesc Fàbregas, Fran Mérida, Aliaksandr Hleb, and Thierry Henry. After a series of good performances in 2008, Sylvinho was given an extension and will remain a Barcelona player until 2009.

Sylvinho played the full 90 minutes of the victorious 2009 UEFA Champions League Final for Barcelona, having been an unused substitute in the final 2006 UEFA Champions League Final.

Sylvinho played Sylvinho last game for Barcelona in the victorious 2009 UEFA Champions League Final on May 27, 2009. Sylvinho is now out of contract and Sylvinho will not be offered a new deal. FC Barcelona officials will not renew Sylvinho's contract (which expires on the 30th), the 35 year old Brazilian left-back will be available on a free transfer starting from July 1st.

International career

Although Sylvinho is a Brazil national football team who has won six cap (football) for Sylvinho country, Sylvinho has a Spain passport, granted to Sylvinho in 2004 after completing three years' residency in Spain, this allows Sylvinho to bypass the non-European Union player restrictions in La Liga.

Honours

Corinthians

- Campeonato Paulista (3): 1995, 1997, 1999
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1): 1998
- Copa do Brasil (1): 1995

Barcelona

- La Liga (3): La Liga 2004–05, La Liga 2005–06, La Liga 2008–09
- Copa del Rey (1): Copa del Rey 2008–09
- UEFA Champions League (2): UEFA Champions League 2005–06, UEFA Champions League 2008–09
- Supercopa de España (2): 2005, 2006