Esporte Clube Juventude, founded in 1913, is one of Brazil’s most traditional soccer clubs, known for its rich and passionate history. Over the years, the club from Caxias do Sul has trained some of the most talented defenders in Brazilian soccer.
These defenders have not only protected the club’s colors, but have also left their mark on the hearts of the fans. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 20 best defenders in Juventude’s history for you to get to know.
The defense has always been a position of great importance for Juventude, and several players have stood out for their leadership, technique and determination on the pitch. Check out the list!
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The 20 best defenders in Juventude history: complete list
- Altair Silva
- Antônio Carlos Zago
- Indio
- Thiago Silva
- Leandro Guerreiro
- Adílson
- Flávio
- César
- Picoli
- Capone
- Luis Carlos Winck
- Cléber
- João Marcos
- Eduardo Martini
- Aloísio
- Paulo Turra
- Luisão
- João Carlos Baptista
- Élcio
- Emerson
The 20 best defenders in Juventude’s history: meet the players
1. Altair Silva
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1998)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Altair was one of the pillars of the defense in Juventude’s victorious campaign in the 1998 Gaúcho Championship.
- Life story: Born in Caxias do Sul, Altair Silva is remembered for his leadership and security at the back, with a long and solid career at Juventude.
2. Antônio Carlos Zago
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Zago was a key figure in winning the Brazilian Cup in 1999, known for his physical strength and tactical intelligence.
- Life story: After his career as a player, Antônio Carlos Zago became a coach, with spells at various Brazilian clubs.
3. Índio
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1994)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Índio, known for his grit and determination, was a key part of Juventude’s defense during the 90s.
- Life story: Born in Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná, Índio is remembered for his passion on the pitch and dedication to Juventude.
4. Thiago Silva
- Titles: Gaucho Championship (2001)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Before becoming one of the best defenders in the world, Thiago Silva took his first professional steps with Juventude.
- Life story: Thiago Silva, born in Rio de Janeiro, has had an impressive career, playing for major European clubs and the Brazilian national team.
5. Leandro Guerreiro
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Known for his ability to read the game, Leandro was crucial in Juventude’s historic 1999 Copa do Brasil campaign.
- Life story: Leandro Guerreiro, born in São Paulo, made a name for himself at Juventude before moving on to big clubs in Brazil.
6. Adílson
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1998)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Adílson was known for his robustness and defensive solidity, and was a standout in the 90s.
- Life story: Born in Curitiba, Adílson had a career marked by regularity and was a legend at Juventude.
7. Flávio
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1975)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Flávio was a classic defender with great vision and passing ability.
- Life story: Flávio, who was born in Caxias do Sul, had a career that symbolized Juventude’s transition to a more prominent club on the national stage.
8. César
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1994)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: César was known for his firmness in defense and his ability with aerial balls.
- Life story: Born in Porto Alegre, César was part of a generation that consolidated Juventude among the greats of Gaucho soccer.
9. Picoli
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Picoli was captain in the historic Copa do Brasil win and is remembered for his leadership on and off the pitch.
- Life story: Born in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Picoli became a symbol of leadership and commitment at Juventude.
10. Capone
- Titles: Gaucho Championship (1998)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Capone was one of the most versatile defenders in Juventude’s history, playing both at center-back and full-back.
- Life story: Born in Sarandi, Rio Grande do Sul, Capone had a distinguished career in Brazilian soccer, with an outstanding spell with Juventude.
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11. Luis Carlos Winck
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Luis Carlos Winck was one of Juventude’s leaders in the historic Copa do Brasil campaign, known for his dedication and race.
- Life story: Winck, born in Porto Alegre, is remembered for his grit and determination, both at Juventude and at other clubs in Brazil.
12. Cléber
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1998)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Cléber stood out for his intelligence and ability to organize the defence.
- Life story: Born in São Paulo, Cléber had a successful spell at Juventude, being part of the club’s golden generation.
13. João Marcos
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1975)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: João Marcos was known for his refined technique and elegance on the pitch.
- Life story: Born in Caxias do Sul, João Marcos had a long career with Juventude, where he became a fan idol.
14. Eduardo Martini
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (2008)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Although best remembered as a goalkeeper, Martini also played as a defender in emergencies, showing his versatility.
- Life story: Born in Rio do Sul, Eduardo Martini had a multifaceted career and was one of Juventude’s most respected players.
15. Aloísio
- Titles: Gaucho Championship (1994)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: Aloísio was one of the most consistent defenders of his time, known for his strength and dexterity in defense.
- Life story: Born in Pelotas, Aloísio made history at Juventude and was one of the leaders of the defense during the 90s.
16. Paulo Turra
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Turra was one of the main names in Juventude’s defense when they won the Copa do Brasil.
- Life story: Born in Tuparendi, Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Turra pursued a career as a coach after hanging up his boots, making a name for himself on the national stage.
17. Luisão
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (2002)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Luisão was known for his leadership on the pitch and his excellent defensive positioning.
- Life story: Born in Caxias do Sul, Luisão had a solid career and was always seen as a natural leader at Juventude.
18. João Carlos Baptista
- Titles: Campeonato Gaúcho (1975)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Funfacts: João Carlos Baptista stood out for his anticipation and ability to get forward.
- Life story: Born in Porto Alegre, João Carlos Baptista is remembered as one of the most technical defenders in Juventude’s history.
19. Élcio
- Titles: Copa do Brasil (1999)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Fun facts: Élcio was one of the defensive pillars in the Copa do Brasil-winning campaign.
- Life story: Born in Caxias do Sul, Élcio was a key figure in Juventude’s defense and continued his career as a coach after retiring.
20. Emerson
- Titles: Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (1994)
- Team: Esporte Clube Juventude
- Trivia: Emerson was a key part of Juventude’s defense during the club’s rise to Serie A in the Brazilian Championship.
- Life story: Born in Pelotas, Emerson stood out for his defensive solidity and leadership on the pitch.
The 20 best defenders in Juventude’s history: complete list
- Altair Silva
- Antônio Carlos Zago
- Indio
- Thiago Silva
- Leandro Guerreiro
- Adílson
- Flávio
- César
- Picoli
- Capone
- Luis Carlos Winck
- Cléber
- João Marcos
- Eduardo Martini
- Aloísio
- Paulo Turra
- Luisão
- João Carlos Baptista
- Élcio
- Emerson
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