Reinaldo Elias da Costa

Football player infobox
playername = Reinaldo
fullname = Reinaldo Elias da Costa


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|6|13
cityofbirth = Itaberí, Minas Gerais
countryofbirth = Brazil
height = height|m=1.94
currentclub = Queensland Roar
clubnumber = 11
position = Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2004
2005
2005–2008
2008
2008–"present"
clubs = América Mineiro
Corinthians Alagoano
ALeague QR
Busan I'Park
ALeague QR
caps(goals) =
00 (18)
47 (15)
07 0(0)
02 0(0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 24 August 2008
ntupdate =

Reinaldo Elias da Costa (born June 13 1984) is a left-footed Brazilian football player who currently plays in the Australian A-League for Queensland Roar FC.

Club career

Born in Itaberí, Brazil, Reinaldo is a striker and at a very young age was already predicted to be a talented player with unlimited potential.

Reinaldo started his professional Football career at Brazilian club América Meneiro in 2004 where he became a key player and the club's leading goal scorer. His talent and value to the team was quickly recognised later that season by Dutch Giants Feyenoord who he trialed with for 2 months until he was swooped by Corinthians Alagoano who are one of the biggest and well known clubs in Brazil.

In his first year for Corinthians, Reinaldo scored 18 goals and helped them advance to the second stage of the league. While on the other side of the world in Australia, A-League side ALeague QR had been struggling for goals all season and opted to buy a player on a loan rather than a transfer as the window was closed. Even with exciting goal scoring product Alex Brosque, Queensland lacked in front of goal.

Searching for a striker who could save Queensland's season by scoring goals on a more regular basis, their scouts were recommended Reinaldo and after watching several videos of the impressive striker, Roar quickly signed him for a 4 game loan.

Reinaldo scored two goals and was very impressive in all four matches on his short-term loan for Queensland, but it was all too late in the end for the Roar who missed out on the finals.

During the off-season of the A-league, Queensland lost Golden Boot winner Alex Brosque who transferred to 2005-06 champions ALeague SFC on a long-term contract and although Brosque won the inaugural Golden Boot Award, his inconsistency lead the to the club accepting his departure. They then rewarded Reinaldo with a two year contract after his impressive spell after long negotiations with Corinthians who were unsurprisingly reluctant to let the talented striker go.

In the 2006-07 season, Reinaldo was a valuable member of the squad but admitted at the end of the season he thought his season was a failure after scoring only 4 goals in 18 matches. They just missed out on the finals that year in heart breaking circumstances.

2007-08 season

Before the start of the 2007-08 season, Reinaldo stated that this was to be his "do-or-die" season and he was ready for a big year. Unable to score goals at the start of the season, Reinaldo was low on confidence and was roundly criticised by the media and Roar fans. [ [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22553347-5003412,00.html Farina backs struggling striker] Accessed 2007-10-09] However, in round 11 against ALeague AU, Reinaldo broke his drought and scored after belting home a powerful volley from just inside the box. He then scored a further 2 goals against ALeague WP, including a back heel from a low cross from Matt McKay. He scored another 7 goals helping the Roar onto it's maiden A-League Finals campaign. [ [http://www.qldroar.com.au/default.aspx?s=qldfc_news_item&id=19070 Reinaldo: knocks make us stronger] . Accessed 2007-10-09]

After an indifferent season for Reinaldo which included the club's Golden Boot Award with 9 goals, he then went into the A-League and ALeague QR history books when he scored what is said to be one of the greatest goals in the A-League's short history. He received a Craig Moore cross on the half-way line and dribbled the ball at pace down the left flank, beating Sydney defender Mark Milligan with a neat turn and slotting the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from a very acute angle. The amazing finish helped the Roar advance to the Preliminary final.

He was sold to Korean K-League side Busan I'Park following the end of the 2007/08 A-League Season due to his desire to develop his football in Asia and much to the delight of the Queensland Roar faithful. A fee was agreed between Busan I'Park and QLD Roar and Reinaldo agreed a 2-year contract with the Korean Club. However, due to personal reasons, Reinaldo left Busan I'Park on a mutual terminalion agreement and returned to Queensland Roar for the 2008/09 A-League Season. He signed a 3-year contract with the club and was unveiled on July 31, 2008.

He is well known for his trade-mark back flip celebrations and his Robinho-like thumb sucking celebration.

References

External links

* [http://www.qldroar.com.au/default.aspx?s=qldfc_playerprofile_item&pid=1109 Queensland Roar profile]
* [http://www.corinthiansalagoano.com.br/Noticias.php?c=1954 Corinthians Alagoano biography]