6 Brazilian forwards who struggled in Europe

Brazil has produced some of the very best footballing talents in the world. In fact, it would be hard to imagine images of greats such as Pele, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho not flashing through anyone’s mind whenever they think of the South American country.These forwards mesmerised fans and took the game to a whole new level, increasing their nation’s popularity in the process. Sadly, Pele never graced the European stage, but the others certainly made their mark.A few more Brazilians followed suit and hit the heights after making the switch to the continent, however, they can’t all be brilliant out of Brazil now can they?Let’s take a look at six Brazilian forwards who couldn’t make the grade in Europe.

#1 Adriano

Adriano had constant struggles maintaining his fitness

The striker initially got off to a bright start in Italy with Inter Milan and Parma. After signing with the Nerazzurri from Flamengo in 2001, he was loaned out to Fiorentina, later moving to Parma as part of a co-ownership deal which allowed Inter to acquire Fabio Cannavaro.

Adriano would score 22 goals in 36 appearances, forming a successful strike partnership with Adrian Mutu. A return to Inter in 2004 saw the Brazilian forward hit peak form, prompting the club to offer him a five-year contract. But his performances would wane shortly after.

Adriano struggled with his fitness and had problems maintaining a good weight. Alcohol also took its toll and his attitude changed, forcing Inter to send him back to Brazil on loan with Sao Paulo.

He returned to Italy in 2010, signing a three-year contract with AS Roma. Unfortunately, though, the striker was released by the club after seven months and zero goals scored.

#2 Keirrison

Keirrison left without playing a minute of football for Barcelona

Keirrison de Souza Carneiro actually made it to Barcelona, but didn’t play a single game for the Catalan side. Instead, he was sent out on loan by then manager Pep Guardiola.

The striker signed for Barcelona in July of 2009 for a fee of €14 million, plus €2 million in add-ons, a huge sum for someone who left without playing a minute of football for the club.

Despite him being highly rated, Guardiola clearly didn’t feel that he was Barcelona material. After being loaned out to Benfica a mere six days after joining the Spanish giants, he would also be loaned to Fiorentina and then Santos.

Keirrison would make a permanent move back to Brazil after agreeing a free transfer with Cortiba in 2014. He reportedly flew to Thailand, last month, to sign for Buriram United, but the transfer was cancelled due to both sides hitting an impasse.

#3 Rafael Sobis

Sobis scored only eight goals in his two seasons in Spain

This Brazilian striker now plays in Liga MX, the Mexican top flight, for Tigres UANL, but had a two-year stint in Europe with La Liga side Real Betis from 2006 to 2008.

Sobis was a big name in Brazil before being snatched up by Betis. So confident was the club in his ability, they signed him to an eight-year contract, as well as parting with €9 million to secure the transfer.

They couldn’t be blamed, though. The player seemed like a sure thing. He scored goals at a very decent rate and possessed loads of creativity. Sobis, good with either foot, also excelled at taking set pieces.

After moving to Spain, however, he proved a huge flop. He only managed eight goals in his two seasons, and would be sold to United Arab Emirates club Al-Jazeera.

Fortunately, and rather surprisingly, for Betis, they would actually make a profit on Sobis, selling him for €10 million.

#4 Edmundo

The Santos striker failed to replicate his form in Europe

This forward was as talented as he was notorious, attracting attention both on and off the pitch.

Edmundo, who made 42 appearances for Brazil between 1992 and 2000, scored 10 goals for his country, but scored well-nigh 200 at club level, having played for clubs such as Santos, Palmeiras and Vasco da Gama. He was prolific in front of goal, possessing pace and superb dribbling skills, but was often criticized for his lack of consistency and poor work ethic.

As heralded as he was in Brazil, the striker failed to replicate his form in Europe. He spent two seasons at Fiorentina (having signed in 1997) and six months on loan with Napoli, amassing a meagre total of 16 goals.

Edmundo had sparkled in Florence at first, winning all the fans over, but would fall out with everyone involved after the club missed out on the league title – after coming quite close – partly due to him playing hooky to attend the Rio Carnival.

The term ‘SMH’ comes to mind.

#5 Denilson

Denilson’s performance at Real Betis was horrible

Denilson became the world’s most expensive player when he signed for Real Betis from Sao Paulo back in 1998, for a fee of £21.5 million.

The winger was capped on more than 60 occasions for Brazil, making his senior debut before he turned 20. He would also represent his nation in two FIFA World Cup Finals, and won the tournament in 2002.

Denilson’s career would instantly dip when he joined Betis. His performances were shockingly horrible, and the team would be relegated two seasons after they signed him.

He spent the next year on loan at Flamengo, playing first-team football, but was nowhere near the form that had prompted the Spanish side to break the bank for his services, and would be nothing more than a substitute when he returned to Spain.

Denilson moved to Bordeaux in 2005, but would fare no better with the French club. He continued his trek around the globe, signing for Al Nassr, FC Dallas, Palmeiras, Itumbiara, Hai Phong and Nea Kavala before retiring, so to speak, in 2010.

In actuality, he was released by his last club after three months, without playing a single game.

What a way to go.

#6 Vitor Flora

Vitor Flora played for Liverpool’s reserves for two seasons

Vitor Coutinho Flora (the second name sounds vaguely familiar doesn’t it?) played for Liverpool’s reserves for two seasons (2008-2010) before being shipped back to Brazil after 11 appearances and two goals.

There’s not much to say about the almost-unheard-of striker, except that he was brought to England from Botafogo-SP, a Brazilian club no one cares to know about, and now plays for some other Brazilian club, somewhere in Brazil.

The player’s transfer to Liverpool was a real surprise, both in England and his own country, as no one - not even Brazilians - had heard of him, even though he had played for Santos in his early teens.

Vitor Flora is just another example of a South American whom some club in Europe decided could be the next Lionel Messi or Ronaldinho after watching a few minutes of footage.