José Sinval Explained

José Sinval
Fullname:José Sinval de Campos
Birth Date:1967 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Bebedouro, Brazil
Height:1.71 m
Position:Striker
Currentclub:FC Sion (assistant manager)
Years1:1985–1986
Clubs1:Ponte Preta
Years2:1986–1995
Caps2:272
Goals2:45
Years3:1995–2000
Clubs3:Mérida
Years4:2000
Clubs4:Pachuca
Years5:2001–2003
Clubs5:Étoile Carouge
Years6:2004–2004
Clubs6:Collex-Bossy
Years7:2005–2006
Clubs7:Mérida
Years8:2006–2007
Clubs8:Fribourg
Manageryears1:2014
Managerclubs1:Servette (assistant)
Manageryears2:2017–
Managerclubs2:Sion (assistant)

José Sinval de Campos (born 6 April 1967), known as José Sinval or Sinval, is a Brazilian football striker who mainly played in Switzerland and Spain. He settled in Switzerland and became a coach.

Sinval began his career in Ponte Preta, but was scouted during a youth tournament in Qatar. He moved to Switzerland as a part of a "Brazilian invasion" of the country's football scene.[1] He joined Servette FC in 1986. Aged only 19, he still managed to take the place of French international Bernard Genghini.[2]

After winning the 1993–94 Nationalliga A with Servette, he dreamt of a transfer to Serie A.[1] This did not happen, but in 1995 he left Swiss football to join CP Mérida. He faced relegation from the 1995–96 La Liga, but helped win the 1996–97 Segunda División, only to be relegated once more from the 1997–98 La Liga. El Periódico Extremadura called him "one of the most charismatic players in the club's history".[3]

Following a spell with Pachuca in Mexico, he returned to Switzerland in an attempt to rejoin Servette. He was not wanted by Servette at the time, and a trial with FC Wil and talks with Racing Ferrol did not come to fruition, with Sinval ultimately being signed by Étoile Carouge in the Swiss second tier.[4] In 2005, though past his prime, he moved back to Mérida and the club Mérida UD. The transfer was orchestrated by the club president, whose father had been president in the 1990s. The club contested the 2005–06 Segunda División B, and his playing was contingent on obtaining an Italian passport.[3] [5]

Personal life

Sinval married for the second time in 2022. He considered himself Swiss after residing there for several decades, but had not acquired a Swiss passport.[6]

Honours

Servette
Mérida

Notes and References

  1. News: A “invasão brasileira”: relembre 20 jogadores daqui que passaram pelo futebol suíço nos anos 1980 e 1990. Trivela. do Valle, Emmanuel. 27 November 2022. pt. 31 December 2023.
  2. News: Servette FC - Das sind Legenden des Genfer Kultclubs. Pflugshaupt, Peter. 30 March 2020. Nau.ch. de. 31 December 2023.
  3. News: Un regreso sonado. 27 July 2005. El Periódico Extremadura. es. 31 December 2023.
  4. News: De retour en terre genevoise, José Sinval fait les beaux jours d'Etoile Carouge. Faas, Jérôme. 16 October 2001. Le Temps. fr. 31 December 2023.
  5. News: Sinval comienza a entrenar hoy en su nueva etapa en Mérida. 20 October 2005. El Periódico Extremadura. es. 31 December 2023.
  6. News: José Sinval: «Le Brésil aurait tort de ne pas se méfier de la Suisse». 28 November 2022. Jacquier, Nicolas. Le Matin. fr. 31 December 2023.