Fábio Aurélio

Infobox Football biography
playername = Fábio Aurélio


fullname = Fábio Aurélio Rodrigues
nickname = Fabby
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|9|24|df=y
cityofbirth = São Carlos
countryofbirth = Brazil
height = height|ft=5|in=10
currentclub = Liverpool
clubnumber = 12
position = Left back, Left midfield
years = 1997–2000
2000–2006
2006–
clubs = São Paulo
Valencia
Liverpool
caps(goals) = 52 0(3)
95 (10)
35 0(1)
nationalyears = 1999–2000
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 13 0(1)

Fábio Aurélio Rodrigues, often shortened to Fábio Aurélio, (born 24 September 1979 in São Carlos) is a Brazilian football player, who currently plays for the English Premier League team Liverpool. He is versatile enough to play at left back or left midfield and is noted for his accurate passing, crossing ability and spectacular curling free-kicks. On August 13 2006 Fabio became the first Brazilian to play for Liverpool, coming on as a substitute in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2–1 win over Chelsea in the 2006 Community Shield.

Career

ão Paulo

Fábio Aurélio came through the youth scheme at São Paulo, making his first team debut in 1997, and has represented Brazil at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-21 levels. He also played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Valencia

He joined Valencia after the Olympics on a six-year contract. The 2001–02 season would see his first major trophy win, when he helped Valencia to their first La Liga championship in 31 years. [ cite web |title=1st Team Squad Profiles |publisher= Liverpoolfc.tv |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/aurelio/ |accessdate=2008-07-10 ] The next year, he established himself as one of the league's best left-backs with 8 league goals; 10 goals in all competitions. The 2003–04 season was another big year for Valencia, winning both the domestic La Liga championship as well as the European 2003–04 UEFA Cup tournament, beating Olympique Marseille 2–0 in the final. Aurélio missed most of the season with a broken leg, however, managing only two games.

Aurélio holds an Italian passport allowing him to play in England without needing a work permit.

Liverpool

On 3 July 2006, the "Liverpool Echo" published an interview with Aurélio where he explained "I am going to a new club in which the trainer knows me, to see if I can conquer the objectives I have set myself. The most important moments I had in my career were the titles (with Valencia) and that was with Benitez. He trusted me and he continues to trust me and that is what I value more." [cite web | url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_objectid=17324484%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=benitez%2dthe%2ddeciding%2dfactor%2din%2daurelio%2ddeal-name_page.html | title =Benitez the deciding factor in Aurelio deal|publisher=icnetwork.com| accessdate = 2006-07-04] On July 5 the transfer was confirmed by Liverpool. [cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N152816060705-1547.htm | title=Reds confirm Aurelio capture|publisher=liverpoolfc.tv| accessdate = 2006-07-05]

Aurelio played a key part in Liverpool's squad during his first season, notably providing two assists for Peter Crouch and Daniel Agger in a 4–1 win over fellow title contenders Arsenal on 31 March 2007. However, Aurelio soon suffered a setback as he injured his achilles tendon on 3 April 2007 in a UEFA Champions League first leg tie against PSV Eindhoven. After receiving a ball Aurelio immediately yelled out in pain and reached for his calf. On the replays Aurelio can clearly be seen looking immediately behind him to look at what he thought had hit him, such was the force of the tendon snapping. Aurelio missed the rest of Liverpool's 2006–07 campaign and returned to the squad the following season on 18 September 2007, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against F.C. Porto in the Champions League group phase.

Aurelio scored his first goal for Liverpool on 2 March 2008 in a league match win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. The final score was 3-1, with Aurelio scoring Liverpool's third with a volley from Xabi Alonso's corner. [ cite web |title=Bolton 1-3 Liverpool |publisher=uk.eurosport.yahoo.com |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/premier-league/2007-2008/bolton-liverpool-195851.html |accessdate=2008-07-10 ]

Aurelio went on to establish himself as Liverpool's first choice left-back but was again beset with injury in the team's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final first leg clash. Aurelio tore his abductor muscle after a forceful impact with Joe Cole and as a result, was ruled out for the rest of the season. [ cite web |title= Aurelio Blow For Reds |publisher= skysports.com |url= http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3468648,00.html |accessdate=2008-07-10 ] The team suffered doubly as his replacement, John Arne Riise, scored an own goal that levelled the scores in the final minute of injury time in the game.

Club career

Honours

;flagicon|BRA São Paulo
* São Paulo State Championship: 1998, 2000

;flagicon|ESP Valencia
* La Liga: 2001–02, 2003–04
* 2004 UEFA Cup
* 2004 European Super Cup

;flagicon|ENG Liverpool
* 2006 Community Shield

References

External links

*
* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/aurelio/ Official LFC profile]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=1157 LFChistory.net player profile]

Persondata
NAME= Rodrigues, Fábio Aurélio
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Aurélio, Fábio
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Brazilian footballer
DATE OF BIRTH= 24 September 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH= São Carlos, Brazil
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=