Player Focus: Five Players Proving Their True Worth in Brazil

While storied veterans like Alex and Juninho Pernambucano continue to boost their legacies in Série A, the 2013 season has also provided ample opportunity for those who have taken wrong turns to get their careers back on track. Here are five players who have overcome adversity to impress in the Brasileirão so far.

Rafael Marques (Botafogo)

It’s fair to say that Rafael Marques didn’t immediately endear himself to Botafogo fans after making the switch from Japanese side Omiya Ardija in July 2012. The striker embarked upon a barren spell that lasted until March, when O Glorioso beat Quissamã in the Rio state championship.

But good things come to those who wait. Rafael has been in sensational form in the Brasileirão so far, excelling at the sharp end of Botafogo’s dynamic 4-2-3-1 system. His height means he can perform target-man duties with aplomb – Dinei of Vitória is the only Série A striker to have won more aerial duels than his 25 so far.

Yet the 30-year-old is also mobile and capable with the ball at his feet. Linking up nicely with the likes of Clarence Seedorf and Nicolás Lodeiro, he has managed five goals from 22 shots and chipped in with three assists. Often booed in 2012, his performances this term have won over the Fogo faithful and even prompted Oswaldo de Oliveira to demand a pay rise on his behalf.

Luan (Cruzeiro)

Although just 24, Luan has already built up quite a catalogue of misdemeanours. A left-footed forward of undeniable talent, he has a habit of rubbing referees and opponents up the wrong way with his hot-headed (read: imbecilic) persona on the pitch – and has the disciplinary record to prove it.

Since swapping Palmeiras for Cruzeiro, however, his more laudable qualities have come to the fore. Filling in for the injured Dagoberto, he has managed five goals in just five starts, scoring with 25% of his attempts. Only Maxi Biancucchi and William have better conversion rates among the players to have netted five times or more.

He is also, at time of writing, the only player with a Série A hat-trick to his name, having dispatched São Paulo almost single-handedly at the Morumbi last month. One thing is clear: Luan has a bright future if he can keep his temper in check.

Elias (Flamengo)

One of the key members of the Corinthians side that won promotion back to Série A in 2008, Elias was regarded as one of the best midfielders in Brazil before his departure to Atletico Madrid in 2011. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out in Europe. O Profeta (“the prophet” – a nickname he shares with Hernanes) failed to settle in Spain and subsequently moved to Sporting in Portugal, where his star continued to fade.

But recent months have been more promising. Repatriated by Flamengo at the turn of the year, Elias has shown glimpses of the quality that made him stand out in the first place. Energetic and versatile, he is proving to be a real talisman for the Rubro-Negro; their three Brasileirão wins have all come when Elias has either scored or set up a goal. Only Marcelo Moreno and the departed Renato Abreu have managed more shots per game than his 2.2 for Fla, while his long ball accuracy (85.3%) is particularly impressive.

André (Vasco da Gama)

André’s career could hardly have started in better fashion; he broke into the Santos side just as Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso and the returning Robinho were beginning to gel, and reaped the benefits with a glut of goals for the seasiders. But he has found things far more difficult since leaving the Vila Belmiro, struggling to make an impact at Dynamo Kiev, Bordeaux and Atlético Mineiro. Even a return to Santos last year didn’t work out as expected.

A reunion with former Peixe coach Dorival Júnior at Vasco da Gama, however, seems to have got the striker back on track: he has plundered four goals in six starts for the São Januário club. His shooting accuracy (53.8% on target) is especially impressive: only six players average better. Most importantly of all, though, is that he is playing with a smile on his face for the first time in years. At 22, he still has a bright future.

Wellington Paulista (Criciúma)

Most fans of Brazilian football were taken aback when West Ham United signed Wellington Paulista on loan last season. While the forward had proven himself a capable goalscorer over a number of seasons in his homeland, he was hardly regarded as a talent destined for Europe – not least because he had failed to impress during a brief spell at Spanish side Alavés a few years earlier.

Sure enough, Wellington failed to even make an appearance for the Hammers and returned to Brazil with his tail between his legs, signing for newly promoted Criciúma. While he has yet to pull up trees for the Tigers, he has at least got straight back into his rhythm in front of goal, scoring three times despite having only four shots on target. A few more strikes before the end of the season will help him forget his English misadventure.