Diego Tardelli

Diego Tardelli Martins (born 10 May 1985), known as Diego Tardelli, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was considered a dynamic player due to his speed on attack and individual skills.[2] Tardelli is not his last name, but his second name: it was chosen by his father after his footballing idol, Italian World Cup winner Marco Tardelli.[3]

Diego Tardelli
Tardelli with Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011
Personal information
Full name Diego Tardelli Martins[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-10) 10 May 1985
Place of birth Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, Brazil
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Partner Football
2000 → Santos (loan)
2001–2003 União Barbarense
2003–2004 São Paulo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 São Paulo 112 (31)
2006 → Betis (loan) 12 (0)
2006 → São Caetano (loan) 7 (1)
2006–2007 → PSV (loan) 13 (3)
2008 Flamengo 29 (5)
2009–2011 Atlético Mineiro 94 (56)
2011 Anzhi Makhachkala 13 (0)
2012 Al-Gharafa 24 (13)
2013–2014 Atlético Mineiro 69 (23)
2015–2018 Shandong Luneng 73 (41)
2019 Grêmio 35 (5)
2020–2021 Atlético Mineiro 9 (2)
2021 Santos 12 (1)
Total 502 (181)
International career
2005 Brazil U20 2 (0)
2009–2015 Brazil 14 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Early career

Born in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, São Paulo, Tardelli began his career at a company club in Curitiba called Partner Football. He was loaned to Santos in 2000, but was released after trying to steal chocolate milk from the club's cafeteria.[4] He subsequently joined hometown side União Barbarense, where he impressed enough to move to São Paulo in 2003. At the latter club, Tardelli was initially known as Dinei, a former forward of Corinthians, as he also painted his hair of a blond color.[5]

São Paulo

Tardelli made his first team debut for São Paulo on 9 July 2003, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rico in a 2–0 Série A away win over Coritiba.[6] He scored his first goal four days later, netting his team's second in a 3–1 win at Fluminense.[7]

Tardelli subsequently established himself as a regular starter, but was separated from the squad in 2004 for 45 days after arriving late on a training session.[8] He returned to the squad after manager Cuca was replaced by Émerson Leão,[9] and started the 2005 season with ten goals in the first ten matches of the club. After Leão left for the Japanese football, Tardelli's form dropped and he was again separated from the squad in October 2005, after arriving drunk on a training session.[8]

Loans to Betis, São Caetano and PSV

On 12 December 2005, Tardelli agreed to a loan move to La Liga side Real Betis for the remainder of the 2005–06 campaign.[10] He made his debut abroad the following 11 January, starting in a 0–0 home draw against RC Celta de Vigo, for the season's Copa del Rey.[11]

After 15 goalless appearances, Tardelli returned to Brazil and joined São Caetano on loan on 12 July 2006.[12] On 30 August, however, he moved to Eredivisie club PSV in a season-long loan deal.[13]

Tardelli also struggled to feature regularly at PSV, and returned to Tricolor in July 2007, where he appeared sparingly for the club and lifted the 2007 Série A.

Flamengo

On 15 January 2008, São Paulo announced the transfer of Tardelli to Flamengo, after the club paid US$ 1 million for his federative rights.[14] After initial controversies with teammate Souza,[15] he was often used as a substitute, but still scored the winning goals in the Taça Guanabara and Campeonato Carioca finals, both against Botafogo.[16][17]

Tardelli was unable to establish himself as a first-choice, and was mainly a backup option to Souza and Obina. He also saw his playing time limited due to an arm injury in August[18] which left him sidelined for three months.[19]

Atlético Mineiro

Tardelli left Flamengo on 12 January 2009, and subsequently signed for fellow league team Atlético Mineiro.[20] At Galo, he scored a career-best 39 goals in his first campaign, being the nation's top goalscorer overall;[21] highlights included a hat-trick in a 6–0 Campeonato Mineiro home routing of Uberaba on 8 April.[22]

Tardelli continued to score in a prolific manner the following seasons, and scored another hat-trick in a 6–0 thrashing of Ituiutaba on 28 March 2010. He played his 100th match for the club on 30 October 2010, in a match against Botafogo.[23]

On 12 February 2011, Tardelli scored a hat-trick in a 4–3 away win against fierce rivals Cruzeiro, but was sent off late in the match.[24]

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 8 March 2011, Tardelli completed a move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala following an in-depth medical examination at the Dagi's pre-season training base. The club reportedly paid €7.5 million for his services on a four-year deal.[25] He started in only seven games during the whole campaign, and failed to find the net in his 13 appearances. He was also strongly linked with a move back to his homeland after struggling to adapt to life in Russia.

Al-Gharafa

On 10 January 2012, Tardelli announced that he had put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with Qatari side Al-Gharafa.[26] His transfer fee was reported at €7 million.[27]

Tardelli made his debut on 20 January 2012, missing a penalty kick 30 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 loss against Al Khor.[28] On his second-ever AFC Champions League match, he scored a brace in order to salvage a draw against Al-Hilal FC on 21 March.[29]

Return to Atlético Mineiro

On 18 January 2013, Tardelli rejoined Atlético Mineiro on loan until the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The value of the negotiation was undisclosed.[30][31] On 27 January, Tardelli confirmed the negotiations were nearly over, only waiting for a new player to arrive at his current club and by 31 January, the negotiation is complete and he joined Atlético Mineiro.[32] Finally, on 2 February 2013, Alexandre Kalil, president of Atlético, announced the return of Tardelli. The deal is around €5.25 million with a four-year contract.

Tardelli was a regular starter for Galo during his first season, helping the club to a first-ever Copa Libertadores title and being the second-best goalscorer in the campaign with 18 goals, only one behind Jô. He also lifted the Recopa Sudamericana and the Copa do Brasil with the side in the following year, scoring goals in both tournaments' finals.

Shandong Luneng

On 17 January 2015, Tardelli joined Chinese club Shandong Luneng.[33] On 14 February 2015, he made his official debut in the 2015 Chinese FA Super Cup against Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.

On 13 July 2015, Tardelli scored two goals in a match against Shijiazhuang Ever Bright. A regular starter, he impressed during the 2018 Chinese Super League after scoring 17 goals.

Grêmio

On 12 February 2019, Tardelli joined Brazilian club Grêmio on a three-year contract. On 16 January 2020, after being severely criticized by the club's supporters and president, he terminated his contract.[34]

Second return to Atlético Mineiro

On 12 February 2020, Tardelli joined Atlético Mineiro for the third time on a free transfer. In July, he suffered an ankle injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the year;[35] he returned to action in February 2021.[36]

Tardelli left the club in May of the following year, as his contract was due to expire.[37]

Santos
Tardelli in 2021

On 23 August 2021, Tardelli signed a contract with Santos until the end of the year, with an option to extend it for a further five months.[38] On 10 December, after one goal in 13 appearances, he departed the club.[39]

International career

Tardelli was called up by Brazilian coach Dunga on 28 July 2009 for a friendly match against Estonia in Tallinn on 12 August. This was his first ever call up to the Brazil national team. On 11 May 2010, he was called up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad as one of the seven backup players.[40]

In October 2013, in a great shape playing for Atlético Mineiro, Tardelli said on being left out from manager Luiz Felipe Scolari international squad, "Now, again, football professionals have asked my calling up. I did not give up yet, I keep working, who knows about Brazilian team is Felipão [Scolari] or who is inside there can watch my phase."[41] On 11 October 2014, in the 2014 Superclásico de las Américas in Beijing, he scored both goals of a 2–0 victory against Argentina.[42]

On 28 May 2015, Tardelli was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2015 Copa América by coach Dunga.[43] On 15 October 2017, he was called by manager Tite to games against Bolivia and Chile.

Career statistics

Club
As of 10 December 2021[44]
Club Season League State League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
São Paulo 2003[45] Série A 23900—6[lower-alpha 1]3—2912
2004[46] 29731—5[lower-alpha 2]0—378
2005[47] 1911812—10[lower-alpha 3]4—4717
2007[48] 201——5[lower-alpha 1]0—251
Total 91182113—267—13838
Betis (loan) 2005–06[49] La Liga 120—203[lower-alpha 4]1—171
São Caetano (loan) 2006 Série A 71————71
PSV (loan) 2006–07[50] Eredivisie 133——5[lower-alpha 5]0—183
Flamengo 2008 Série A 160135—61—356
Atlético Mineiro 2009 Série A 33191616541[lower-alpha 1]0—5539
2010 2710147672[lower-alpha 1]0—4924
2011 004422——66
Total 60293427131330—11069
Anzhi Makhachkala 2011–12 Russian Premier League 130—10——140
Al-Gharafa 2011–12 Qatar Stars League 104—415[lower-alpha 6]2—197
2012–13 149———7102119
Total 2413—41527104126
Atlético Mineiro 2013 Série A 2671041013[lower-alpha 7]62[lower-alpha 8]15218
2014 241092718[lower-alpha 7]02[lower-alpha 9]25015
Total 5017196812164310233
Shandong Luneng 2015 Chinese Super League 196—405[lower-alpha 6]01[lower-alpha 10]0296
2016 123——9[lower-alpha 6]6—219
2017 1815—11——1916
2018 2417—53——2920
Total 7341—104146109851
Grêmio 2019 Série A 294612110[lower-alpha 7]1—477
Atlético Mineiro 2020 Série A 3010———40
2021 0052002[lower-alpha 7]0—72
Total 30620020—112
Santos 2021 Série A 121—10——131
Career total 4031279954412095241113649238
  1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  2. Three appearances in Copa Libertadores, two appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  3. Eight appearances and four goals in Copa Libertadores, two appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  6. Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
  7. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  8. Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup
  9. Appearance(s) in Recopa Sudamericana
  10. Appearance(s) in Chinese FA Super Cup

International
As of 13 September 2015[51][44]
National teamSeasonAppsGoals
Brazil 200940
201010
201442
201551
Total143

International goals
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef.
1.11 October 2014Beijing National Stadium, Beijing, China Argentina
1–0
2–02014 Superclássico das Américas[42]
2.
2–0
3.7 June 2015Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil Mexico
2–0
2–0
Friendly

Honours

Club

São Paulo

PSV

Flamengo

Atlético Mineiro

Al-Gharafa

Shandong Luneng

Grêmio

International

Brazil

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2013. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
  2. "Protagonista em polêmica, Tardelli é muito elogiado por Caio Júnior" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  3. "Veja boleiros batizados em homenagem a lendas das Copas" (in Portuguese).
  4. "Perto do Santos, Tardelli foi dispensado da base do clube por tentar roubar achocolatado" [Nearing Santos, Tardelli was released from the youth setup of the club for trying to steal chocolate milk] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  5. 11 jogadores que "mudaram de nome" durante a carreira
  6. "Com futebol eficiente, São Paulo bate o Coritiba no Couto Pereira" [With an efficient football, São Paulo defeat Coritiba at the Couto Pereira] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 9 July 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  7. "Com gols de Luís Fabiano e seu "clone", São Paulo bate o Flu no Rio" [With goals from Luís Fabiano and his "clone", São Paulo defeat Flu in Rio] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 13 July 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  8. "Tardelli chega embriagado em treino e é afastado do São Paulo" [Tardelli arrives drunk in training and is put away at São Paulo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 24 October 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  9. "Tardelli se diz regenerado e descarta recaída" [Tardelli says he is regenerated and discards a relapse] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 7 February 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  10. "Bétis garante Tardelli" [Betis assure Tardelli] (in Portuguese). UEFA.com. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  11. "Apareció el Campeón y Tardelli" [The champion and Tardelli showed up] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  12. "Diego Tardelli acerta com o São Caetano" [Diego Tardelli signs with São Caetano] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Nordeste. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  13. "Diego Tardelli vai para o PSV" [Diego Tardelli goes to PSV] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  14. "São Paulo acerta transferência de Tardelli" [São Paulo agree transfer of Tardelli] (in Brazilian Portuguese). São Paulo FC. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  15. "Souza manda recado a Tardelli" [Souza sends message to Tardelli] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  16. "Flamengo vira, vence Botafogo e conquista bi da Taça GB" [Flamengo complete comeback, defeat Botafogo and win second consecutive Taça GB] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  17. "Dupla sai do banco, marca, e Fla é campeão" [Duo comes off the bench, score, and Fla is champion] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 4 May 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  18. "Diego Tardelli é operado no Rio" [Diego Tardelli is operated in Rio] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  19. Em jogo eletrizante e polêmico, Cruzeiro bate o Fla e se aproxima da Libertadores (in Portuguese)
  20. Diego Tardelli vai para o Atlético Mineiro (in Portuguese)
  21. "Artilheiro do Brasil em 2009, Tardelli assume nova função no Atlético-MG" [Top goalscorer in Brazil in 2009, Tardelli takes new role at Atlético-MG] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  22. "Tardelli faz 3 gols em um jogo pela 1ª vez e chega aos 14 gols" [Tardelli scores 3 goals in a match for the 1st time and reaches the 14 goals] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  23. "Atlético homenageia Tardelli e Werley pelos 100 jogos com a camisa alvinegra" [Atlético honour Tardelli and Werley for the 100 matches with the white-and-black shirt] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  24. "Tardelli marca três vezes, é expulso e comanda virada do Atlético-MG contra o Cruzeiro" [Tardelli scores three times, is sent off and leads Atlético-MG's comeback over Cruzeiro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  25. Official: Diego Tardelli Completes Move To Anzhi
  26. Tardelli set to sign for Qatari side, Al-Gharafa
  27. Anzhi's Diego Tardelli joins Al-Gharafa
  28. Soccerway – Match details
  29. QFA – Al Gharafa rally to 3–3 draw with Al Hilal of KSA
  30. "Mãe de Tardelli garante retorno do centroavante ao Atlético Mineiro (in Portuguese)". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  31. Grupo Euro Export anuncia volta de Diego Tardelli ao Atlético por empréstimo (in Portuguese)
  32. (in Portuguese)
  33. "Time de Cuca, Shandong Luneng anuncia contratação de Tardelli por R$ 16,8 milhões". ESPN Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  34. "Grêmio rescinde contrato com Diego Tardelli" [Grêmio rescind contract with Diego Tardelli] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  35. "Pela primeira vez desde lesão no Atlético-MG, Diego Tardelli usa chuteira em etapa de recuperação" [For the first time since injury at Atlético-MG, Diego Tardelli wears a boot in his recovery phase] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  36. "Após mais de dez meses, Diego Tardelli volta a ser relacionado para jogo do Atlético-MG" [After more than ten months, Diego Tardelli is called up again for a match of Atlético-MG] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  37. "Atlético-MG decide não renovar com Diego Tardelli e vai homenageá-lo neste domingo" [Atlético-MG decide not to renew with Diego Tardelli and will honour him this Sunday] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  38. "Atacante Diego Tardelli é o novo reforço do Santos FC" [Forward Diego Tardelli is the new addition of Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  39. "Santos não vai renovar contrato com Diego Tardelli" [Santos will not renew contract with Diego Tardelli] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  40. "Comissão técnica da Seleção Brasileira divulga a lista complementar enviada à FIFA". CBF.com.br (in Portuguese). 11 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  41. "Tardelli mostra surpresa por não ser lembrado por Felipão na Seleção - Yahoo Esporte Interativo". Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  42. "Argentina 0-2 Brazil". BBC Sport. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  43. "2015 Copa America squad lists". ESPN. 28 May 2015.
  44. Diego Tardelli at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  45. "São Paulo Futebol Clube Matches - 2003". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  46. "São Paulo Futebol Clube Matches - 2004". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  47. "São Paulo Futebol Clube Matches - 2005". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  48. "São Paulo Futebol Clube Matches - 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  49. "Matches Diego Tardelli, 2005–06 season". BDFutbol. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  50. "Matches Diego Tardelli, 2006–07 season". BDFutbol. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  51. Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2008–2009
  52. "Hexacampeão, Flamengo recebe troféu de campeão nacional" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 December 2009. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  53. "Éverton Ribeiro leva o bi no Craque do Brasileirão; veja lista de premiados" (in Portuguese). sportv.com. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
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