Léo Jabá Explained

Fullname:Leonardo Rodrigues Lima
Birth Date:2 August 1998
Birth Place:São Paulo, Brazil
Position:Forward
Currentclub:São Bernardo
Youthyears1:2009–2016
Youthclubs1:Corinthians
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:Corinthians
Caps1:16
Goals1:1
Years2:2017–2018
Clubs2:Akhmat
Caps2:24
Goals2:3
Years3:2018–2022
Clubs3:PAOK
Caps3:43
Goals3:5
Years4:2021
Clubs4:Vasco da Gama (loan)
Caps4:33
Goals4:3
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:São Bernardo
Caps5:13
Goals5:5
Years6:2023–2024
Clubs6:Estrela da Amadora (loan)
Caps6:31
Goals6:5
Nationalyears1:2016–2017
Nationalteam1:Brazil U20
Nationalcaps1:16
Nationalgoals1:3
Club-Update:5 November 2023
Ntupdate:11 February 2017

Leonardo Rodrigues Lima (born 2 August 1998), known as Léo Jabá, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for São Bernardo.

Club career

Corinthians

Born in São Paulo, Léo Jabá joined Corinthians' youth setup at the age of 11.[1] He made his unofficial first team debut in a friendly on 22 July 2015, as he entered in the second half of Corinthians' 1–0 victory against ABC in Natal.[2]

Léo Jabá was a part of the under-20 team which finished second in both the 2016 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20, before being definitely promoted to the main squad in September of that year.[3] He made his professional debut on 21 November, coming on as a late substitute for Marlone in a 1–0 home win over Internacional.[4]

Léo Jabá scored his first professional goal on 29 March 2017, netting the opener in a 3–1 Campeonato Paulista home win over Linense.[5]

Akhmat Grozny

On 4 July 2017, Léo Jabá joined Akhmat Grozny of the Russian Premier League, for a rumoured fee of 2 million.[6] He made his debut abroad twelve days later, starting and scoring the winner in a 1–0 home success over Amkar Perm.[7]

Initially a first-choice, Léo Jabá lost his starting spot in April 2018, and finished the season with three goals in 25 appearances overall.

PAOK

On 20 June 2018, PAOK signed Léo Jabá on a five-year deal, for a €3.5 million fee.[8] He made his debut for his new side on 24 July, starting in a 2–1 home win over FC Basel, for the campaign's UEFA Champions League.

On 15 September 2018, Léo Jabá scored his first goal of the 2018–19 Super League season, netting his team's third in a 3–1 away win against OFI.[9] On 4 October, he scored a brace and provided two assists in a 4–1 away routing of BATE Borisov in the UEFA Europa League group stage.[10]

On 3 March 2019, Léo Jabá scored a crucial goal, despite his red card in the second half, sealing a 2–0 away win against rivals Panathinaikos in his club's effort to win the title undefeated.[11] Amidst interest from Porto, Newcastle United and Anderlecht,[12] he finished the season with seven goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.

In May 2020, after losing space under manager Abel Ferreira,[13] Léo Jabá suffered a knee injury,[14] missing out the remainder of the season.

Loan to Vasco da Gama

On 25 March 2021, Jabá was loaned to Vasco da Gama until December.[15] He was regularly used by the club during the year, but did not sign a permanent deal as the club announced his departure on 2 December.[16]

2022: return from loan

On 12 January 2022, Léo Jabá returned to action for PAOK after 488, scoring his team's second a 2–0 home win game against Panetolikos and knocking down manager Răzvan Lucescu in his celebration.[17] He played a further eleven matches during the remainder of the 2021–22 season, scoring another goal against Lamia on 6 March.

São Bernardo

On 8 December 2022, Léo Jabá returned to his home country and was announced as the new signing for Série C side São Bernardo.[18] He scored three goals in ten appearances during the 2023 Campeonato Paulista, as the club lifted the Taça Independência, given to the eliminated sides of the countryside.

Personal life

Léo Jabá's younger brother Leandro is also a footballer and a forward.[19] He played for several youth teams before moving to FK Pardubice in 2022.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Corinthians2016Série A2020
2017101310000141
Total301310000161
Akhmat Grozny2017–18Russian Premier League24310253
PAOK2018–19Superleague Greece2436292397
2019–2060003090
2020–2110001020
2021–22921000102
Total40572132609
Vasco da Gama (loan)2021Série B2736050383
São Bernardo2023Série C0010300103
Career total94112941321320014919

Honours

Corinthians

2017

PAOK

2018–19

2018–19;Runner-Up :2021–22

Notes and References

  1. News: Sósia de Guerrero, Léo Jabá mostra origens e quer fazer história no Timão. Guerrero's double, Léo Jabá shows his origins and wants to make history at Timão. pt-BR. Terra. 4 August 2015. 21 November 2016.
  2. News: Léo Jabá se torna o terceiro jogador mais jovem a vestir a camisa do Timão. Léo Jabá becomes the third-youngest to wear the shirt of Timão. pt-BR. SC Corinthians Paulista. 23 July 2015. 21 November 2016.
  3. News: Corinthians promove Léo Jabá e mais três jogadores do sub-20; veja a lista. pt-BR. GloboEsporte.com. 22 September 2016. 21 November 2016.
  4. Web site: Com boa atuação nos minutos finais, Léo Jabá estreia em jogo oficial pelo Corinthians. With a good performance in the final minutes, Léo Jabá debuts in an official match for Corinthians. Meu Timão. pt-BR. 21 November 2016. 21 November 2016.
  5. Web site: Léo Jabá credita primeiro gol como profissional à cobrança do pai. Léo Jabá credits first goal as a professional to his father's demands. Gazeta Esportiva. pt-BR. 30 March 2017. 30 March 2023.
  6. Web site: Léo Jabá é vendido pelo Corinthians e vai jogar na Rússia. Léo Jabá is sold by Corinthians and will play in Russia. R7.com. pt-BR. 4 July 2017. 30 March 2023.
  7. Web site: Léo Jabá marca na estreia do Akhmat na Liga da Rússia. Léo Jabá scores on Akhmat's debut in the Russian League. Torcedores.com. pt-BR. 16 July 2017. 30 March 2023.
  8. Web site: "Η Αχμάτ Γκρόζνι πούλησε τον Λέο Ζαμπά στον ΠΑΟΚ" . "Ahmad Grozny sold Leo Jaba to PAOK". www.sport24.gr. el. 20 June 2018.
  9. News: ΟΦΗ - ΠΑΟΚ 1-3 . www.gazzetta.gr . 15 September 2018.
  10. News: Μπάτε Μπορίσοφ - ΠΑΟΚ 1-4 . www.gazzetta.gr. 4 October 2018.
  11. News: Με πράσινα "δώρα" πέρασε… αέρα (0-2) . www.to10.gr . 3 March 2019.
  12. News: ΠΑΟΚ: Η μισή Ευρώπη στα πόδια του Λέο Ζαμπά! . www.to10.gr . 8 March 2019.
  13. News: ΠΑΟΚ: Κάτι τρέχει με Λέο Ζαμπά . www.sport24.gr . 4 November 2019.
  14. News: Η δεύτερη ευκαιρία του Λέο Ζαμπά στον ΠΑΟΚ . www.metrosport.gr . 12 May 2020.
  15. Web site: Léo Jabá é o novo reforço do Vasco para a temporada 2021. Léo Jabá is the new addition of Vasco for the 2021 season. CR Vasco da Gama. pt-BR. 25 March 2021. 30 March 2023.
  16. Web site: Léo Jabá não fica no Vasco para a temporada 2022. Léo Jabá does not stay at Vasco for the 2022 season. CR Vasco da Gama. pt-BR. 2 December 2021. 30 March 2023.
  17. News: ΠΑΟΚ - Παναιτωλικός 2-0: Καθάρισε με τον "συνήθη ύποπτο" και... κερασάκι Ζαμπά! . www.gazzetta.gr . 12 January 2022.
  18. Web site: Paulistão: São Bernardo anuncia Léo Jabá. Paulistão: São Bernardo announce Léo Jabá. Futebol Interior. pt-BR. 8 December 2022. 30 March 2023.
  19. Web site: Há pouco mais de um ano, Flu contratou irmão mais novo de Léo Jabá. More than a year ago, Flu signed younger brother of Léo Jabá. NetFlu. pt-BR. 24 September 2020. 30 March 2023.