Júlio César (football goalkeeper, born 1979)

Footballer

Birthday September 3, 1979

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Age 44 years old

Nationality Brazil

Height 1.87 m

#19578 Most Popular

1932

He played 32 matches as the championship ended in conquest, with Inter winning it for the 15th time in history.

He kept 12 clean-sheets and conceded 30 goals, with Inter losing only once; they won the title with 5 games to spare, and collected 97 points and setting a record for most consecutive matches without defeat, 31.

1979

Júlio César Soares de Espíndola (born 3 September 1979), known as Júlio César, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

1997

Júlio César began his professional career with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in 1997.

He made his debut that year on 17 May in a match versus Fluminense where he saved a penalty kick, which proved to be insufficient as the team lost 2–0.

From 1997 to 2000, he served as Clemer's understudy, only taking his spot during the Copa João Havelange, showing good skills on goal.

2001

His best match for the team was the second match of 2001 Campeonato Carioca final against Vasco da Gama, making several great saves.

Following the match, while still on the dressing room, he interrupted a live interview of Beto to make a provocation to Vasco da Gama president Eurico Miranda, who, according to him, had already reserved the party at Basque.

2002

Júlio César's performances on goal also earned him his first call-up to the Brazil senior squad in 2002, also helping Flamengo to escape relegation in several times in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

2003

In 2003, Júlio César become embroiled in a controversy during the loss to Fluminense.

With Flamengo already trailing 4–0, César, after making a save, dropped the ball on the ground and begun playing with the feet, dribbling several players until the ball was taken by Zé Carlos.

This attitude was heavily criticized by then coach of the team, Evaristo de Macedo, who called him an "idiot".

According to César, he did this because he was desperate and was feeling helpless, stating: "Fluminense was giving us the runaround and I wanted to help my teammates, who were going through a difficult situation. I overdid it because I was sad and hurt, but I already apologized on Saturday."

2005

He left the club at the beginning of 2005, having made 285 appearances for the club in all competitions.

He was the third goalkeeper with most appearances for the club, behind only Cantarele (557) and Zé Carlos (352).

In January 2005, he moved to Italian Serie A club Chievo.

Due to Serie A regulations that impose a cap on the number of non-EU players clubs can sign from abroad, Júlio César could not join Inter Milan at the time and was initially registered to Chievo through a deal between the two clubs.

In July 2005, following a deal between Chievo and Inter, Júlio César officially signed a three-year contract with Inter.

The deal cost Inter €2.45 million.

Júlio César was given squad number 12, and made his official debut on 10 August in the first leg of 2005–06 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round versus Shakhtar Donetsk, keeping a clean-sheet in the 2–0 win at RSC Olimpiyskiy.

His first title with the club came to him when he was benched at the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus.

César made his Serie A debut on 28 August in the season opener against Treviso, making a good overall performance and keeping a clean-sheet as the match was won 3–0.

On 24 November, during a Champions League group stage match against Petržalka, Júlio César played in a line-up of 11 foreign players on the pitch; Luís Figo was the only european.

Júlio César finished his first season with Nerazzurri by making 40 appearances in all competitions, as Inter won the championship following the relegation of Juventus due to match-fixing, and also conquered Coppa Italia by defeating Roma 4–2 on aggregate, with César playing on both finals.

Inter thus completed the domestic treble.

His performances were noted during his first season, as he was distinguished for saving penalties and making great saves, which made Francesco Toldo lose his place as starting keeper after four seasons.

2006

He was selected for the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and two Copa América tournaments.

The 2006–07 season was even more successful for Júlio César and Inter, as the player and the team set several records in the league.

2007

Júlio César begun 2007–08 season by receiving a red card, his first in Inter colours, in a 1–1 draw versus Udinese in the opening week of championship.

He kept three clean-sheets in the Champions League group stage to help Inter finish top of Group G.

He finished the season by winning another championship, contributing with a clean-sheet in the decisive last match against Parma.

By keeping 17 clean-sheets in 35 Serie A matches, Júlio César set a personal record in terms of clean sheets, with a 53 percent average.

In the Champions League, he made 8 appearances, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16 by Liverpool.

2008

Júlio César commenced his 4th Inter season on 24 August 2008 by playing in the Supercoppa Italiana match against Roma; the regular and extra-time ended in a 2–2 draw.

In the penalty shoot-out, he stopped the attempt of his Brazil teammate Juan which paved Inter's way to victory as the Nerazzurri won 8–7.

One month later, he made his 100th Serie A appearance as Inter won 1–0 versus Lecce in the 2008–09 Serie A week 4.

2009

Júlio César spent seven years at Italian club Inter Milan, with whom they won five Scudetti, the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League, and the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

He was awarded the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year title in both 2009 and 2010, and was nominated for the 2009 Ballon d'Or, where he was voted into 21st place.

He was also named UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year after the 2009–10 season and won the Golden Glove award at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

César won 87 international caps for Brazil.