Ricardo Goulart Explained

Ricardo Goulart
Fullname:Ricardo Goulart Pereira[1]
Height:1.80 m
Birth Date:5 June 1991
Birth Place:São José dos Campos, Brazil
Position:Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:1998–2005
Youthclubs1:Moreira's Sport
Youthyears2:2006–2009
Youthclubs2:Santo André
Years1:2009–2011
Clubs1:Santo André
Caps1:34
Goals1:6
Years2:2010–2011
Clubs2:Internacional (loan)
Caps2:17
Goals2:5
Years3:2012
Clubs3:Goiás
Caps3:55
Goals3:21
Years4:2013–2014
Clubs4:Cruzeiro
Caps4:79
Goals4:29
Years5:2015–2021
Clubs5:Guangzhou FC
Caps5:117
Goals5:78
Years6:2019
Clubs6:Palmeiras (loan)
Caps6:9
Goals6:3
Years7:2020
Clubs7:Hebei China Fortune (loan)
Caps7:18
Goals7:4
Years8:2022
Clubs8:Santos
Caps8:20
Goals8:3
Years9:2022–2023
Clubs9:Bahia
Caps9:22
Goals9:5
Totalcaps:371
Totalgoals:154
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:Brazil
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0

Ricardo Goulart Pereira (pronounced as /pt-BR/; born 5 June 1991), known as Ricardo Goulart, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Goulart started his career with Santo André in 2009, and remained at the club until 2011, with a loan to Internacional. He played the 2012 season Goiás in the second tier, before joining Cruzeiro the following year.

At Cruzeiro, Goulart cemented a place in the first team, and during his two-year stint, he made a total of 99 appearances and scored 34 times, winning the 2014 Brasileiro with the club. His personal awards include the 2014 Bola de Ouro, besides featuring in the team of the season. In 2015, he entered Asian football by signing for Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, where he won the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League in his first season.

Goulart made his international debut for the Brazil national football team against Colombia in 2014.

Club career

Santo André

Born in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Goulart joined Santo André's youth setup in 2006, after failed trials at São Paulo, São Caetano, Taubaté and Paulista.[2] In the 2009 season, after being the under-20's top scorer in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, he was then promoted to the first team.

Goulart made his first team debut for Ramalhão on 25 February 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring the equalizer in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista home win over Ituano.[3] He scored four times in 12 appearances in the competition, as the club finished sixth.

Goulart made his Série A debut on 24 May 2009, replacing Antônio Flávio in a 1–2 home loss against Flamengo.[4] He scored his first goal in the category on 25 July, but in a 2–3 loss at Grêmio,[5] and featured sparingly in the league as his side suffered relegation.

Loan to Internacional

On 19 May 2010, Goulart was loaned to Internacional for one year,[6] and was initially assigned to the B-team.

After winning the 2010 Copa FGF with the B's, Goulart was included in the main squad ahead of the 2011 campaign,[7] and started the season as a starter. However, after the arrival of Dorival Júnior as manager, he lost space in the main squad and returned to his parent club when his loan expired in December 2011; Santo André also refused to keep him, and he was subsequently released.[8]

Goiás

On 28 December 2011, Goulart agreed to a contract with Série B Goiás for the ensuing campaign.[9] He made his debut for the club on 22 January, starting in a 5–0 Campeonato Goiano home routing of Aparecidense, and scored his first goal three days later in a 4–2 win at Morrinhos.

An immediate starter, Goulart won the 2012 Campeonato Goiano and the 2012 Série B with the side, scoring 25 goals overall and providing 14 assists as the club returned to the top tier.[10] He notably scored three braces in the campaign, against Goianésia (2–1 home win), Ipatinga (6–0 away win) and Guaratinguetá (3–0 away win).

Cruzeiro

On 5 January 2013, Goulart was announced at Cruzeiro in the top tier.[11] He made his debut for the club on 3 February, starting in a 2–1 Campeonato Mineiro home win over rivals Atlético Mineiro, and scored his first goal on 24 March in a 2–1 home win over Caldense.[12]

Goulart was the league top scorer of Cruzeiro in his first season (along with Borges), scoring 10 goals as the club lifted the trophy. In August 2014, after winning the 2014 Mineiro, he was targeted by French club Monaco, but the offer was refused by Cruzeiro.[13]

In the 2014 Copa Libertadores, Goulart was again the club's top goalscorer (along with Bruno Rodrigo), scoring four goals (including a hat-trick in a 5–1 home routing of Universidad de Chile) as his side was knocked out in the quarterfinals. In the year's Série A, he scored 15 goals and was the club's top goalscorer as they lifted a second consecutive league title.[14] [15] He was also named in the team of the season by CBF,[16] and won the Bola de Ouro and Bola de Prata awards by Placar.[17]

Guangzhou Evergrande

First seasons

In early January 2015, Goulart was linked to a move away from Cruzeiro to China and Mexico.[18] On 13 January, he signed for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for 15 million, on a four-year contract, being handed the no 11 jersey.[19] It was the highest transfer fee paid by a Chinese club.[20]

Goulart made his debut on 14 February 2015, replacing countryman Renê Júnior in a match against Shandong Luneng in Chinese Super Cup.[21] He scored his first goal for his club on 25 February, in an AFC Champions League match against FC Seoul.[22] He then scored a hat-trick in the same competition, against the defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers on 4 March.[23] For his performance he was praised by manager Fabio Cannavaro who said "Goulart is undoubtedly a great player. As an individual player or as a team player he is helping us significantly".[24]

Goulart's goal scoring form continued, as he again found the net by scoring a brace against Japanese club Kashima Antlers on 18 March 2015.[25] In the league, he scored 19 goals as the club won their fifth title in a row.

On 22 February 2016, Goulart extended his contract with Guangzhou Evergrande to 31 January 2020.[26] He again scored 19 league goals in that year, as the club won their sixth consecutive title. In 2017, he scored a career-best 20 goals, with Guangzhou winning another title.

Loan to Palmeiras and return

On 15 January 2019, Goulart moved to Palmeiras on a one-year deal, with a buyout clause.[27] On 23 May, after struggling with injuries and only 12 matches, his loan was cut short and he returned to his parent club.[28]

Goulart struggled with knee injuries for the remainder of the 2019 season, and did not play a single minute as the club had four foreign players registered.

Loan to Hebei China Fortune

On 19 July 2020, Goulart joined Hebei China Fortune on loan for the remainder of the year.[29] He contributed with 18 appearances for the side, as they were knocked out of the league by his parent club.

2021 season

Back to Guangzhou for the 2021 campaign, Goulart featured sparingly before terminating his contract in November 2021 in a mutual consent. It was reported that due to the financial difficulties of the club, the club failed to pay his wage.[30]

Santos

On 11 January 2022, free agent Goulart was announced at Santos back in his home country, after agreeing to a two-year contract.[31] He made his debut for the club on 2 February, starting in a 2–1 away win over rivals Corinthians.[32]

Goulart scored his first goal for Peixe on 13 February 2022, netting the winner in a 2–1 home success over Ituano.[33] However, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, and terminated his contract with the club on 12 July.[34]

Bahia

On 2 August 2022, Goulart joined Bahia.[35]

Retirement

At a press conference on 24 April 2023, Goulart announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.[36]

International career

On 19 August 2014, Goulart was called up to the Brazil national team for two matches against Colombia and Ecuador by new manager Dunga.[37] After being an unused substitute against the former,[38] he made his full international debut on 9 September, in a 1–0 victory against the latter.[39]

Having only played a friendly match for Brazil, Goulart was subsequently naturalized as a Chinese citizen, being one of the six football players at the time who had no Chinese ancestry to have been naturalized as Chinese citizens, with another notable player being Elkeson, another former Brazilian.[40] However, it became unclear whether he would be able to represent the national team, as he did not complete the five-year residency rules after leaving the country between October 2018 and May 2019.[41]

Style of play

A versatile, tenacious, and physically strong attacking midfielder, with an eye for goal, Goulart is also capable of playing as a forward, through the centre, or as a winger, on either flank.[42] [43] [44] [45] He is known in particular for his powerful ball striking, and his ability to make attacking runs into the area.[45]

Personal life

In 2009, Goulart married Diane.[46] His brother Juninho is also a footballer, best known for his tenure with MLS club LA Galaxy.[47]

Goulart became a naturalised Chinese citizen on 17 July 2019.[40] After leaving Guangzhou in November 2021, Chinese media reported that he gave up on his Chinese nationality as he returned to Brazil,[48] but he was still registered as a foreigner in the 2022 season, as he did not start the documentation process to get back his Brazilian nationality.[49]

Career statistics

Club

.[50]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueState leagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2009Série A141124265
2010Série A008181
Total141205346
Internacional (loan)2010Série A00136136
2011Série A1017410185
Total10174101363111
2012Série B3412219846325
2013Série A3310103614914
2014Série A261510150945020
Total5925204111949934
2015Chinese Super League271900148404527
2016Chinese Super League29197463124328
2017Chinese Super League292010107104127
2018Chinese Super League19130087112821
2020Chinese Super League00004040
2021Chinese Super League1370000137
Total1177884422573174110
Palmeiras (loan)2019Série A10830031124
Hebei China Fortune (loan)2020Chinese Super League18400184
Santos2022Série A110934160304
Bahia2022Série B162162
2023Série A001031050163
Total1621031050325
Career total280123953132106130259493203

International

Brazil
YearAppsGoals
201410
Total10

Honours

Club

Internacional

Cruzeiro

Guangzhou Evergrande

Bahia

2023

Individual

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015: List of Players . FIFA . 4 . 11 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211024602/http://fifadata.com/document/FCWC/2015/pdf/FCWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf . 11 December 2015 . dead.
  2. Web site: Cavalo sumido e perda da mãe transformaram Ricardo Goulart de 'gordo' em Bola de Ouro. Missing horse and loss of mother turned Ricardo Goulart from 'fat' to the Bola de Ouro. ESPN Brasil. pt-BR. 10 December 2014. 6 January 2022.
  3. Web site: Em dois minutos, Santo André vira diante do Ituano e cola no G-4. In two minutes, Santo André complete a comeback over Ituano and get closer to the G-4. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 25 February 2009. 6 January 2022.
  4. Web site: Inspirado, Josiel dá vitória ao Flamengo sobre o Santo André. Inspired, Josiel gives the victory to Flamengo over Santo André. GloboEsporte.com. pt-BR. 24 May 2009. 6 January 2022.
  5. Web site: Com show de Souza, Grêmio vira e vence o Santo André por 3 a 2. With a show from Souza, Grêmio complete a comeback and defeat Santo André by 3–2. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 25 July 2009. 6 January 2022.
  6. Web site: Santo Andre negocia meia Ricardo Goulart com o Inter. Santo André negotiate midfielder Ricardo Goulart with Inter. O Estado de S. Paulo. pt-BR. 19 May 2010. 20 March 2015.
  7. Web site: Destaque no Inter B, Ricardo Goulart sonha em Libertadores e Seleção. Spotlight at Inter B, Ricardo Goulart dreams with Libertadores and the national team. Diário Gaúcho. pt-BR. 28 January 2011. 6 January 2022.
  8. Web site: Santo André descarta meia Ricardo Goulart. Santo André discard midfielder Ricardo Goulart. Diário do Grande ABC. pt-BR. 7 December 2012. 20 March 2015.
  9. Web site: David e Ricardo Goulart acertam com o Goiás; dupla já treinou pelo novo clube. David and Ricardo Goulart have signed with Goiás; duo already trained for their new club. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 28 December 2011. 6 January 2022.
  10. Web site: Sem Egídio e Ricardo Goulart, Goiás perde duas referências no ataque. Without Edígio and Ricardo Goulart, Goiás lose two key units in the attack. ge. pt-BR. 20 December 2012. 6 January 2022.
  11. Web site: Cruzeiro anuncia as contratações de Ricardo Goulart, Lucca e Nirley. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190411/https://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index.php?section=conteudo&id=1939. Cruzeiro announce the signings of Ricardo Goulart, Lucca and Nirley. Cruzeiro EC. pt-BR. 5 January 2013. 4 March 2016. 6 January 2022.
  12. Web site: Após primeiro gol pelo Cruzeiro, Ricardo Goulart almeja mostrar seu lado artilheiro. After first goal for Cruzeiro, Ricardo Goulart aims to show his goalscoring side. O Tempo. pt-BR. 25 March 2013. 6 January 2022.
  13. Web site: Cruzeiro recusou 16mi de euros do Monaco por Ricardo Goulart. Cruzeiro refused 16mi euros from Monaco for Goulart. ESPN Brasil. pt-BR. 31 August 2014. 6 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Cruzeiro win second successive Brazilian title. 23 November 2014. Mirror. 26 March 2015.
  15. Web site: Rodeado por troféus, Ricardo Goulart agradece as conquistas de 2014. Surrounded by trophies, Ricardo Goulart thanks the achievements of 2014. ge. pt-BR. 12 December 2014. 6 January 2022.
  16. Web site: Everton Ribeiro é eleito o melhor do Brasileirão; veja a seleção de 2014. Everton Ribeiro is named the best of the Brasileirão; see the XI of 2014. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 1 December 2014. 20 March 2015.
  17. Web site: Bola de Ouro, Goulart comemora: 'Vai ficar marcado na vida inteira'. Bola de Ouro, Goulart celebrates: 'It will be marked in my entire life'. ESPN Brasil. pt-BR. 8 December 2014. 20 March 2015.
  18. Web site: Cruzeiro recebe proposta por Ricardo Goulart e jogador pode estar de saída para China. Cruzeiro receive an offer for Ricardo Goulart and player may be on his way out to China. Itatiaia. pt-BR. 26 March 2015.
  19. Web site: 高拉特(Goulart)正式加盟广州队. Guangzhou Evergrande. zh. 25 March 2015.
  20. Web site: Brazil's Ricardo Goulart signs for Guangzhou. Yahoo. 25 March 2015.
  21. Web site: Guangzhou vs Shandong. Soccerway. 25 March 2015.
  22. Web site: Guangzhou Evergrande 1 - 0 FC Seoul. The AFC. 25 March 2015.
  23. Web site: Western Sydney Wanderers 2 - 3 Guangzhou Evergrande. The AFC. 25 March 2015.
  24. Web site: Guangzhou getting great value from Goulart says gleeful gaffer. The AFC. 25 March 2015.
  25. Web site: Ricardo Goulart inspirational for Guangzhou Evergrande in AFC Champions League. 19 March 2015. South China Morning Post. 25 March 2015.
  26. Web site: 广州恒大淘宝足球俱乐部官方宣布与巴西外援高拉特正式续约. Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.. zh. 22 February 2016.
  27. Web site: Ricardo Goulart é o novo reforço do Verdão para a temporada 2019. Ricardo Goulart is the new addition of Verdão for the 2019 season. SE Palmeiras. pt-BR. 15 January 2019. 6 January 2022.
  28. Web site: Ricardo Goulart rescinde com Palmeiras e volta para a China. Ricardo Goulart rescinds with Palmeiras and returns to China. Lance!. pt-BR. 23 May 2019. 6 January 2022.
  29. Web site: Hebei Fortune, da China, anuncia Ricardo Goulart, ex-Palmeiras e Cruzeiro. Hebei Fortune, from China, announce Ricardo Goulart, formerly of Palmeiras and Cruzeiro. TNT Sports. pt-BR. 19 July 2020. 6 January 2022.
  30. News: Zǒule! Gāolātè quánjiā líhuá: Yǐjīng jiěyuēle líkāi shì zuìhǎo xuǎnzé. zh:走了!高拉特全家离华:已经解约了 离开是最好选择. NetEase Sport (网易体育). zh. 12 November 2021. 6 January 2022. Cheng Jinchao (成金朝).
  31. Web site: A 10 do Rei tem novo dono: Ricardo Goulart é anunciado como reforço do Santos FC. The King's number 10 has a new owner: Ricardo Goulart is announced as an addition of Santos FC. Santos FC. pt-BR. 11 January 2022. 12 January 2022.
  32. Web site: Carille analisa estreia de Goulart e destaca importância do meia: "Jogador inteligente". Carille analyses Goulart's debut and plays up the midfielder's importance: "Smart player". Terra. pt-BR. 2 February 2022. 3 February 2022.
  33. Web site: Ricardo Goulart vibra com primeiro gol pelo Santos, mas admite que time enfrenta dificuldades. Ricardo Goulart celebrates first goal for Santos, but admits that the team is facing difficulties. ge. pt-BR. 13 February 2022. 14 February 2022.
  34. Web site: Santos acerta a rescisão do contrato de Ricardo Goulart. Santos agree the rescision of Ricardo Goulart's contract. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 12 July 2022. 13 July 2022.
  35. Web site: Ex-Guangzhou attacker Goulart joins Bahia. Xinhua. 2 August 2022. 26 April 2023.
  36. Web site: Ricardo Goulart confirma aposentadoria aos 31 anos: "Temos que saber nos retirar". Ricardo Goulart confirms retirement at the age of 31: "We have to know how to retire". Globo Esporte. pt-BR. 24 April 2023. 26 April 2023.
  37. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2168015-dunga-announces-first-brazil-squad-since-taking-over-as-manager Dunga Announces First Brazil Squad Since Taking Over as Manager
  38. Web site: Brazil vs Colombia. Soccerway. 25 March 2015.
  39. Web site: Goulart eyes Copa America showdown with 'genius' Messi. Goal. 25 March 2015.
  40. News: China's National Soccer Team Accepts First Naturalized Citizen. 30 May 2019. 6 January 2022. sixthtone.com.
  41. Web site: Goulart waiting to answer China's call. China.org.cn. 11 June 2020. 30 March 2022.
  42. Web site: Why are so many Brazilian players heading to the Chinese Super League?. ESPN FC. James Young. 21 January 2015. 2 April 2016.
  43. Web site: Ricardo Goulart says Dunga will more closely follow the Brazilians in China. Sambafoot. Aswin Sankar. 12 January 2016. 2 April 2016.
  44. Web site: Ribeiro e Goulart, gioielli del Cruzeiro seguiti dalla Juventus. Classe '89 e '91, Marotta ha in agenda i nomi dei due esterni brasiliani da pochi giorni campioni del Brasile. Ribeiro and Goulart, Cruzeiro jewels followed by Juventus. Born in '89 and '91, Marotta has on his agenda the names of the two Brazilian wingers who have been champions of Brazil on a few days. Tutto Juve. it. Antonio Guerra. 25 November 2014. 2 April 2016.
  45. Web site: Driblador, homem-surpresa e xerifão: Dunga destaca qualidades de trio de novatos. Dribbler, surprise man and big sheriff: Dunga highlights the qualities of trio of newbies. ESPN Brasil. Tiago Leme. pt-BR. 19 August 2014. 7 April 2016.
  46. Web site: Por trás dos artilheiros campeões do Cruzeiro há três 'cracaças' dignas de troféu. globo.com. Globo Extra. 15 December 2015. pt. 24 November 2014.
  47. Web site: Jogou com Beckham e conheceu Obama: Irmão de R. Goulart quer defender EUA. He played with Beckham and met Obama: R. Goulart's brother wants to play for the US. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 26 March 2015.
  48. Web site: Naturalized Chinese footballer Ricardo Goulart has returned to his native Brazil, giving up his Chinese nationality. He has asked Guangzhou FC, which is struggling financially and facing an uncertain future, to terminate his contract, Guangzhou-based Soccer News reports.. Twitter. Sports China. 12 November 2021. 30 March 2022.
  49. Web site: Goulart segue chinês, e Santos tem 1º desafio contra limite de estrangeiros. Goulart remains Chinese, and Santos have their first challenge against foreign players limit. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 7 April 2022. 8 April 2022.
  50. Web site: 高拉特. sodasoccer. 2018-04-18. zh.
  51. Web site: http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/cfacup/2016-11-27/doc-ifxyawmm3563464.shtml. zh:足协杯-黄博文世界波救主 恒大总分3-3苏宁夺冠. Sports.sina.com.cn. 2016-11-27. 2019-08-20 . zh.
  52. Web site: Éverton Ribeiro leva o bi no Craque do Brasileirão; veja lista de premiados . Éverton Ribeiro wins second consecutive Craque do Brasileirão; see the list of awarded players . 1 December 2014 . 1 December 2014 . . pt.
  53. Web site: Hotshot Goulart adds awards to ACL title success. AFC. 22 November 2015.