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Antônio de Oliveira Filho (born 5 October 1960), better known as Careca (Portuguese pronunciation: [kaˈɾɛkɐ]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Key Information

During his career, Careca played for several clubs, most notably with Italian side Napoli. He was also capped over 60 times for the Brazil national team.

Club career

[edit]

Careca began his footballing career in his home state of São Paulo with local side Guarani in 1978. With his finishing ability and devastating pace quickly established himself as one of his country's best young strikers. With Guarani, he won the Brazilian Championship during his first season and the Brazilian Second Division in 1981.

By 1983 he had been signed by São Paulo, he continued to gather notoriety because of his impressive goals to games ratio and by 1986, Careca led São Paulo to the Brazilian Championship, beating his former club Guarani in the final. He was awarded Bola de Ouro the same year, which is the Brazilian equivalent of Footballer of the Year.

Move to Napoli

[edit]

In the summer of 1987 Careca moved to Italian Serie A champions Napoli, where he was part of the "Ma-Gi-Ca" forward lineup with Bruno Giordano and Diego Maradona.[1] Careca's first season at Napoli was an unsuccessful one, despite his 13 goals: the team were knocked out in the first round of the European Cup by Real Madrid and they lost the title in the final games of the season.

However, his second season was far more successful. The team won the UEFA Cup, with Careca scoring a goal in each leg of the final, one a memorable lobbed goal, and finished second in Serie A, also reaching the Coppa Italia final that season. In 1990, Careca finally won the Scudetto with Napoli, following the success up with the first ever Supercoppa Italiana later that year. Careca spent a further three years with Napoli, establishing a partnership with Gianfranco Zola, during which Napoli failed to win any silverware.

Later stages of playing career

[edit]

In 1993 Careca left Italy to play for new Japanese J.League team Kashiwa Reysol. Careca spent three years with the team, during which time he helped them to promotion to the J1 league in 1994. He returned to Brazil in 1997 with Santos, he spent a year with the club and another year with Cambinas (1998) before joining the lower-league team São José (RS), where he finished his career in 1999.

Careca retired having played 64 games for Brazil, and scored 30 goals.

Garforth Town owner and manager, Simon Clifford, persuaded Careca to play the majority of a friendly game against Guiseley in the summer of 2005.[2]

Footballing name

[edit]

The word careca is Portuguese for 'bald'. It was a nickname given to Careca as a child because of his admiration for a famous Brazilian clown of the same name.

Other Carecas

[edit]

Two contemporaries of Careca, who like him played for the Brazil national football team, were also called Careca and are thus sometimes confused with him: Careca II and Careca Bianchezi.

International career

[edit]

Careca first broke into the national side of Brazil during 1982, but was forced to miss the 1982 World Cup in Spain due to a thigh injury suffered in practice three days before Brazil's debut in that tournament. His place in the squad for that tournament was taken by Roberto Dinamite. He was also part of the Brazilian squad that came in second in the 1983 Copa América.

It was during the 1986 World Cup, in Mexico, that Careca really established himself in world football. He ended the tournament, during which Brazil were memorably eliminated on penalties by France at the quarter-final stage, with five goals which placed him second in the Golden Boot rankings behind England's Gary Lineker. In 1990, Careca was part of the Brazilian team that was defeated by Argentina in the second round. He scored two goals in the tournament. His last cap was earned in August 1993.

Style of play

[edit]

Careca is regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of Brazilian football.[3] He was a prolific, fast, opportunistic, and powerful striker, with excellent technique and great striking ability. Despite being right-footed, he was also capable of scoring with his left foot, and he was known for his ability to score goals off-balance from angled shots even when running with the ball. Careca was also good in the air, and he had an excellent positional sense, which along with his intelligence, sense of space, and attacking movement, made him known for frequently being in the right position at the right time in the penalty area. Although he was usually deployed as a striker, he was also capable of playing in deeper positions, as a creative forward, due to his ability to play off of his teammates and provide them with assists, as well as his tendency to make attacking runs starting from outside the area in order to create space for other players.[4][5][6][7][8] After scoring a goal, Careca often celebrated by mimicking an aeroplane's wings with his arms outstretched.[9]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Guarani 1978[10] Série A 28 13 21 12 — 49 25
1979[10][11] 1 0 49 16 7[a] 0 57 16
1980[10] 17 7 38 16 — 55 23
1981[10] 14 8 34 13 — 48 21
1982[10] 17 18 28 11 — 45 29
Total 77 46 170 68 7 0 254 114
São Paulo 1983[10] Série A 20 17 33 15 — 53 32
1984[10] 37 14 — 37 14
1985[10] 17 12 31 23 — 48 35
1986[10] 30 25 13 7 — 43 32
1987[10][11] 2[a] 1 2 1
Total 67 54 114 59 2 1 183 114
Napoli 1987–88[10][11] Serie A 26 13 — 7 5 1[b] 0 34 18
1988–89[10][11] 30 19 — 10 2 12[b] 6 52 27
1989–90[10][11] 22 10 — 1 0 6[b] 2 29 12
1990–91[10][11] 29 9 — 7[c] 3 2[b] 0 38 12
1991–92[10][11] 33 15 — 4 2 — 37 17
1992–93[10][11] 24 7 — 3 3 — 27 10
Total 164 73 — 32 15 21 8 217 96
Kashiwa Reysol 1993[10] Football League — 6 4 — 6 4
1994[10] 25 19 — 1 1 — 26 20
1995[10][11] J1 League 30 10 — — 30 10
1996[10][11] 5 2 — 6 3 — 11 5
Total 60 31 — 13 8 — 73 39
Santos 1997[10] Série A
Career total 368 204 284 127 45 23 30 9 727 363
  1. ^ a b Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in European Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[10]
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 1982 4 0
1983 11 5
1984 0 0
1985 7 3
1986 11 8
1987 4 2
1988 0 0
1989 6 6
1990 7 3
1991 1 0
1992 2 0
1993 7 2
Total 60 29
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Careca goal.
List of international goals scored by Careca
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 28 April 1983 Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Chile – 3–2 Friendly [12]
2 8 June 1983 Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal  Portugal 1–0 4–0 Friendly [13]
3 3–0
4 17 June 1983 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland   Switzerland 2–1 2–1 Friendly [14]
5 22 June 1983 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Sweden 2–2 3–3 Friendly [15]
6 2 May 1985 Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil  Uruguay – 2–0 Friendly [16]
7 5 May 1985 Estádio Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil  Argentina 1–0 2–1 Friendly [17]
8 30 June 1985 Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil  Bolivia – 1–1 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification [18]
9 1 April 1986 Castelão, São Luís, Brazil  Peru 4–0 4–0 Friendly [19]
10 8 April 1986 Estádio Serra Dourada, Goiânia, Brazil  East Germany 3–0 3–0 Friendly [20]
11 30 April 1986 Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil  Yugoslavia 4–2 4–2 Friendly [21]
12 6 June 1986 Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico  Algeria 1–0 1–0 1986 FIFA World Cup [22]
13 12 June 1986 Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico  Northern Ireland 1–0 3–0 1986 FIFA World Cup [23]
14 3–0
15 16 June 1986 Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico  Poland 4–0 4–0 1986 FIFA World Cup [24]
16 21 June 1986 Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico  France 1–0 1–1 1986 FIFA World Cup [25]
17 21 June 1987 Estádio da Ressacada, Florianópolis, Brazil  Ecuador – 4–1 Friendly [26]
18 28 June 1987 Estadio Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina  Venezuela 3–0 5–0 1987 Copa América [27]
19 20 August 1989 Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil  Venezuela 1–0 6–0 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification [28]
20 2–0
21 5–0
22 6–0
23 3 September 1989 Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Chile – 2–0 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification [29]
24 20 December 1989 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Netherlands 1–0 1–0 Friendly [30]
25 13 May 1990 Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  East Germany 2–1 3–3 Friendly [31]
26 10 June 1990 Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy  Sweden 1–0 2–1 1990 FIFA World Cup [32]
27 2–0
28 6 June 1993 Yale Bowl, New Haven, United States  United States 1–0 2–0 1993 U.S. Cup [33]
29 10 June 1993 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, United States  Germany 2–0 3–3 1993 U.S. Cup [34]

Honours

[edit]

Guarani

São Paulo

Napoli[35]

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Careca

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Antônio de Oliveira Filho, commonly known as Careca, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer who played primarily as a forward. Born on 5 October 1960 in Araquara, São Paulo, , he earned his nickname from a childhood resemblance to the Carequinha due to his dark hair. Careca began his with Guarani in 1978, where he scored over 100 goals in five seasons and helped the team win the 1978 . He then joined in 1983, becoming the top scorer in the 1985 with 23 goals and leading the club to the 1986 title; that year, he also received the award as Brazil's best player. In 1987, Careca moved to Italy's Napoli, forming a legendary attacking trio dubbed "Ma-Gi-Ca" alongside and , and contributed 96 goals in 222 appearances, ranking sixth on the club's all-time scoring list. With Napoli, he secured two titles (1986–87 and 1989–90), the 1988–89 (where he was the competition's top scorer with six goals), and the 1990 . Later, he played for Japan's from 1993 to 1996, scoring 31 goals, before returning to for brief stints with Santos, Corinthians, and São José. On the international stage, Careca represented from 1982 to 1993, accumulating 60 caps and scoring 29 goals, including five at the —making him the tournament's joint second-highest scorer behind —despite Brazil's quarter-final exit on penalties to France. He also featured in the 1990 World Cup and helped finish as runners-up in the . Regarded as one of Brazil's finest strikers, Careca's technical skill, speed, and finishing ability left a lasting impact, particularly in elevating Napoli to prominence in European football during the late . His career totals exceed 400 goals across club and international levels, cementing his legacy as a prolific and opportunistic goalscorer.

Early life and youth career

Childhood and family background

Antônio de Oliveira Filho, better known by his nickname Careca, was born on October 5, 1960, in , a modest industrial city in the state of , . The nickname "Careca," which translates to "bald" in , originated in his early childhood when he was around six or seven years old, stemming from his strong admiration for the popular Brazilian clown Carequinha, a staple of television and radio entertainment at the time. Despite the moniker implying hairlessness, young Careca sported a full head of hair, and the name endured throughout his life as a playful nod to that childhood fandom. Careca grew up in a working-class environment typical of Araraquara's industrial backdrop, where his father, Antônio Oliveira—a former amateur footballer and Santos supporter who had played alongside Pelé's father, , in his youth—introduced him to the sport and encouraged his passion for it. From the age of seven, he immersed himself in local street games, known as peladas, honing his skills on makeshift fields with family support until around age 15, an experience that instilled a strong work ethic and determination amid the town's socioeconomic challenges.

Early career at Guarani

Careca began his professional career with in 1978 at the age of 17, making his senior debut in the that year. Over five seasons with the club from , he established himself as a prolific forward, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions and contributing to Guarani's historic 1978 title—their only national championship to date. His performances included 13 goals in the 1978 season, earning him recognition as one of Brazil's emerging talents.

Transfer to and debut with São Paulo

Careca joined in January 1983, marking a significant step up to one of Brazil's biggest clubs after his successful stint at Guarani. His debut with São Paulo occurred on January 30, 1983, in a match against América-RN at . The home side won 4–0, with Careca scoring the third goal in the 62nd minute. The other goals were scored by Renato (brace) and Paulo César Caju, under coach Ênio Andrade.

Club career

Time at São Paulo (senior)

Careca joined in 1983 after five successful seasons at Guarani, where he had honed his skills as a forward. Under coach Cilinho, he rapidly secured a consistent starting role, becoming a central figure in the team's attack during his four-and-a-half-year tenure through mid-1987. His integration into the "Menudos do Morumbi" group of young talents marked a pivotal phase, as he contributed to revitalizing the club's competitive edge in domestic competitions. Careca's impact was evident in key achievements, including São Paulo's victory in the 1985 , where he served as the tournament's top scorer with 23 goals, leading the team to the title against Santos in the final. The following year, 1986, saw him play a starring role in securing the , finishing as top scorer with 25 goals and earning him the prestigious award as Brazil's best player that season. Over his time at the club, he amassed 115 goals in 191 appearances across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the league's most prolific strikers. One notable highlight was his performance in high-stakes derbies, where his clinical finishing often turned matches in São Paulo's favor, including crucial goals against rivals that underscored his importance in intense local rivalries. His form during this period also earned him a prominent place in Brazil's 1986 World Cup squad, where he scored five goals en route to the quarterfinals. By 1987, amid São Paulo's financial difficulties, Careca departed for Napoli in for a transfer fee of approximately $2.8 million (4 billion lire), seeking greater challenges in European football.

Move to and success with Napoli

In the summer of 1987, Careca transferred from to Napoli for a fee of 4 billion lire, equivalent to approximately $2.8 million at the time, marking one of the significant investments by the club during its rise under president . Despite the high expectations following his standout performances at the 1986 World Cup, Careca faced initial challenges adapting to the tactical rigor and physical demands of , as well as the cultural shift from to , though he quickly demonstrated his resilience by scoring on his debut against in September 1987. His arrival bolstered Napoli's attacking options, allowing coach to integrate him seamlessly into the squad. Careca's partnership with became the cornerstone of Napoli's dominance from 1987 to 1990, forming the iconic "Ma-Gi-Ca" frontline alongside , where Careca's precise finishing and movement off the ball complemented Maradona's visionary playmaking. This synergy propelled Napoli to success in European competitions during the 1988-89 season, when they won the Cup—their first major European honor—with Careca scoring 6 goals across 12 matches (joint second-highest in the competition), including a brace in the semi-final second leg against Bayern (a 2-2 draw that advanced Napoli 4-2 on aggregate) and the decisive winner in the first leg of the final against (2-1 victory). His clinical finishing proved instrumental in the return leg as well, contributing to a 3-3 draw that secured a aggregate win and etched Napoli into European football lore. The following year, in 1989-90, the trio's cohesion led to Napoli's second title, secured two points clear of , as Careca added 13 goals in the campaign, helping Napoli achieve back-to-back championships for the first time in club history (though the first was pre-Careca in 1986-87). Over his six seasons with Napoli, Careca tallied 73 goals in 164 appearances, establishing himself as one of the league's most prolific forwards during a golden era for the club. His contributions extended beyond domestic success, with notable performances in cup competitions that underscored his role as a key architect of Napoli's most celebrated period.

Later career and retirement

Following his departure from Napoli in 1993, Careca signed with in Japan's newly launched , marking his entry into Asian football as one of the league's high-profile foreign signings. Over three and a half seasons with the club (1993–1996), he appeared in 93 league matches and scored 29 goals, helping establish the team as a competitive force in the inaugural years of professional football in Japan. His contributions included leading the attack with his experience and finishing ability, though persistent physical issues began to affect his consistency. Careca retired from international duty the same year, playing his final match for on August 1, 1993, against in a World Cup qualifier, ending his national team career with 60 caps and 29 goals. Chronic injuries, particularly to his knee stemming from the late and intensifying in the , increasingly limited his mobility and playing time post-Napoli, prompting thoughts of early during his Japanese stint. In 1996, Careca returned to Brazil for a sentimental homecoming with , where he featured in 9 matches and scored 2 goals, evoking memories of his early career roots amid a squad nicknamed the "pacto dos carecas" for its bald-headed players. Later that year, he rejoined , his former club from the , for a brief but emotional farewell appearance in limited games before stepping away from top-level football. Careca officially retired in 1998 after a short spell with lower-division side EC São José in 1997, concluding a career with approximately 812 matches and 401 goals across all competitions.

International career

Early international appearances

Careca earned his first cap for the Brazil national team on 21 March 1982, in a 1–0 friendly victory over at the in Rio de Janeiro. At just 21 years old, the young striker from Guarani quickly impressed with his pace, finishing ability, and integration into the Seleção's attacking setup, establishing himself as a promising option amid a competitive pool of forwards. Selected for the squad in as the first-choice striker, Careca's participation was cut short by a thigh sustained three days before the opener, resulting in no appearances during the finals. His strong club form at Guarani had propelled his rapid rise to the national team earlier that year, with appearances in post-qualification friendlies. In the buildup to the 1986 World Cup, Careca solidified his role as a key figure in Brazil's attack, notably during the , where he featured in five of Brazil's matches as they finished as runners-up, reaching the final after advancing past in the semi-finals (1-1 draw away and 0-0 home, via drawing of lots), before losing to in the two-legged final (0-2 away and 1-1 home). Although he did not score in the tournament, his presence alongside midfield maestro Zico highlighted his emergence as the ideal striking partner, complementing Zico's creativity with his clinical movement and goal threat in a talent-rich Brazilian forward line. By the end of 1985, Careca had accumulated 22 caps and 9 international goals, including a in a 4–0 friendly win over in June 1983, underscoring his growing importance to the Seleção.

World Cup participations

Careca emerged as a pivotal figure for at the in , starting in all five matches as the team showcased an attacking style under coach . He scored five goals, tying for second in the tournament's top scorers list behind England's , with strikes including a clinical finish against in a 1-0 group stage win, the opening goal against in a 3-0 victory, two goals in a 4-0 thrashing of , and an early opener in the quarterfinal against . His goals contributed to topping Group D undefeated before the dramatic quarterfinal, where his 17th-minute strike was matched by , leading to a 1-1 draw and a 4-3 loss to , eliminating . In the in , Careca remained a starter in all four matches, partnering effectively with in attack as sought to reclaim glory under coach Sebastião Lazaroni. He netted both goals in a 2-1 group stage win over , displaying his poaching instinct with a close-range finish and a composed chip, helping secure top spot in Group C alongside draws against Costa Rica and a win over Scotland. However, 's campaign ended abruptly in the round of 16 with a 0-1 defeat to Argentina, where Careca was unable to break through despite his central role, marking an underwhelming exit for the Seleção. Across two World Cups, Careca made nine appearances and scored seven goals for , establishing himself as one of the tournament's standout forwards with his blend of movement and finishing. He continued to make occasional appearances post-1990, with his final cap coming on 1 August 1993 in a 5-1 friendly win over , concluding his international career with 60 caps and 29 goals for the national team.

Playing style

Technical attributes

Careca possessed a well-balanced physical profile for a forward, standing at 1.83 meters tall and weighing 75 kilograms during his prime, which contributed to his agility and effectiveness in dynamic play. He was particularly noted for his pace, often described as pacey and integral to fast, attacking lines that overwhelmed defenses, as seen in his role alongside teammates like Müller and Sidney in São Paulo's 1986 Campeonato Brasileiro-winning campaign where he scored 25 goals. Despite not being the tallest striker, Careca demonstrated strong heading ability, utilizing timing and positioning to contribute aerial threats effectively. A technically gifted complete forward, Careca excelled in precise finishing and had a natural knack for off-ball movement, frequently finding himself in the right place to capitalize on opportunities with clinical efficiency. His technical prowess extended to smooth that allowed him to maneuver past opponents, as highlighted in analyses of his goal-scoring sequences, and he was renowned for spectacular volleys, including a notable half-volley that doubled Napoli's lead in a key match against . Careca also showcased ambidextrous shooting capabilities with both feet, enabling versatile finishing options, and thrived in one-touch play, exemplified by seamless combinations like his interplay with in Napoli's attacking transitions. Throughout his career, Careca displayed positional versatility, beginning as a more mobile attacker in his early days at Guarani and evolving into a polished No. 9 capable of leading the line or dropping deeper to link play. However, he was occasionally hampered by proneness, most notably a that sidelined him and forced him to miss the , impacting his consistency at key moments.

Role in teams

Careca's integration into Napoli's squad in 1987 marked a pivotal enhancement to their attacking dynamics, where he operated as a goal-poaching forward in Ottavio Bianchi's attacking system. Complementing Diego Maradona's unparalleled creativity, Careca thrived on the Argentine's visionary passes, often arriving unmarked in the penalty area to convert opportunities with clinical precision, forming the "Ma-Gi-Cà" frontline alongside that terrorized defenses. This tactical synergy was particularly evident in counter-attacks, with Careca's intelligent movement and finishing proving instrumental in Napoli's European breakthrough during the 1988-89 UEFA Cup. He scored vital goals, including one in the second leg of the final against (3-3 draw, 5-4 aggregate win), directly contributing to the club's first major continental trophy and boosting their overall goal output to 54 in that season. For the Brazil national team, Careca emerged as the central focal point of the attack in the post-Zico era, leading the line with poise during the and Cups. He effectively linked play with dynamic wingers and partners like , dropping deep to initiate moves while maintaining a goal threat that anchored Brazil's offensive transitions, scoring five goals across those tournaments.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Careca's club career statistics reflect his prolific scoring record across multiple leagues and competitions, with aggregate totals of approximately 727 appearances and 363 goals in all competitions, drawn from official club and league records. These figures encompass domestic leagues, cups, and continental tournaments but exclude youth and friendly matches, where data is often incomplete. Assists are rarely recorded for his era, particularly in Brazilian competitions, limiting availability to later European stints.

Guarani (1978–1982)

Careca began his professional career with Guarani, making 254 appearances and scoring 114 goals over five seasons. His contributions helped the club win the 1978 .
SeasonAppearancesGoals
19784519
19795227
19804822
19815523
19825423
Total254114
These statistics include goals in the and other state competitions.

São Paulo (1983–1987)

Careca's time at saw him make 183 appearances and score 114 goals. His contributions were pivotal in the Brazilian state and national leagues, including the and . Detailed per-season data highlights his peak form in the mid-1980s:
SeasonAppearancesGoals
19834018
19843520
19854830
19864129
19871917
Total183114
These statistics include 54 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro and others in state leagues.

Napoli (1987–1993)

At Napoli, Careca featured in 217 appearances and netted 96 goals, forming part of the club's famed attacking trio "Ma-Gi-Ca" alongside and . His output was particularly strong in , where he scored 73 goals in 164 matches, contributing to two Scudetti titles. Competition breakdowns include:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
16473
3213
UEFA Cup / European Cup2110
00
Total21796
Assists totaled 19 in recorded matches, reflecting his playmaking alongside finishing.

Other Clubs

Careca played for several other teams later in his career, including (1993–1996), Santos (1997), (1998), and São José (1999). Detailed per-season tables for these periods show (note: data for later Brazilian clubs is limited): Kashiwa Reysol (1993–1996)
SeasonAppearancesGoals
19932211
19942211
19952214
199673
Total7339
He scored primarily in the . Santos (1997)
SeasonAppearancesGoals
19972510
Total2510
Contributions included goals in state leagues. Campinas (1998)
SeasonAppearancesGoals
1998106
Total106
This was a brief stint in lower leagues. São José (1999) Limited data available; approximately 5 appearances and 2 goals in regional competitions, marking his retirement. Overall, Careca's club goal tally of 363 highlights his efficiency, averaging over 0.50 goals per appearance.

International statistics

Careca represented the national team from 1982 to 1993, accumulating 60 caps and scoring 29 goals during his international career. His debut came on 21 March 1982 in a friendly against , where he scored the match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory. Careca's contributions were spread across major tournaments and preparatory matches, showcasing his consistency as a forward. In the , he made 9 appearances and netted 7 goals over two editions: 5 goals in 5 matches at the 1986 tournament in and 2 goals in 4 matches at the 1990 event in . For the , he appeared in 7 matches, scoring 1 goal across the 1983 and 1987 tournaments. The bulk of his caps—44 appearances yielding 21 goals—occurred in friendlies, qualifiers, and minor competitions, including a notable strike against rival in a 3-1 friendly win on 5 May 1985. His scoring efficiency stood at 0.48 goals per appearance overall, reflecting a strong output relative to his opportunities. At the time of his international retirement, Careca's 7 goals ranked him joint-third among Brazil's all-time tournament scorers. The following table summarizes Careca's appearances and goals by year:
YearAppearancesGoals
198241
1983115
198410
198573
1986107
198752
198955
199062
1993114
Total6029
Note: The 1986 season marked his peak, with 7 goals in 10 matches, largely driven by his exploits.

Honours and legacy

Club Honours

Careca began his professional career with Guarani, where he contributed to their victory in the 1978 . He then moved to in 1983, helping the club secure three consecutive titles from 1985 to 1987, during which he was a prolific scorer and key attacking figure. In 1986, Careca played a pivotal role in 's triumph, scoring the equalizing goal in the first leg of the final against his former club Guarani (1–1 draw), with ultimately winning the tie 6–6 on aggregate after a 3–3 second leg and 4–3 on penalties. Joining Napoli in 1987, Careca formed part of the club's successful era, winning the ; he was the competition's joint second-top scorer with six goals, including one in each leg of the final against —a late winner in the first leg (2–1 win) and another in the second leg (3–3 draw, 5–4 aggregate win). He also contributed to Napoli's title, scoring 13 league goals as the team clinched the for the second time in club history. Additionally, Careca featured in Napoli's 1990 win over Juventus. He also helped Guarani win the 1980–81 .

International Honours

Careca earned 60 caps for between 1982 and 1993, scoring 29 goals, and participated in three s without securing a title. He was part of the 1982 squad in , though limited to one appearance due to injury concerns, as reached the second group stage. In the 1986 in , Careca starred with five goals, including a brace in the 4–0 round-of-16 win over , helping advance to the quarter-finals before elimination by on penalties. At the 1990 in , he scored twice in the group stage, notably a volley against , but exited in the round of 16 against . On the continental stage, Careca featured in two tournaments. finished as runners-up in 1983 in , with Careca scoring three goals in the competition. His major international success came in 1989, when won the held in that country; Careca was instrumental, scoring five goals, including in the 2–0 victory over in the final round group stage, as defeated 1–0 in the final to claim the title for the fourth time.

Individual awards and lasting impact

Careca earned several notable individual honors throughout his career, highlighting his prowess as a prolific forward. In 1986, he received the award from Placar magazine as the top player in the Brazilian Championship, capping a season where he led to the title while scoring 25 goals. That same year, his international form earned him the FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe for finishing as the tournament's second-leading scorer with five goals, a performance that underscored his clinical finishing during Brazil's run to the quarterfinals. Additionally, Careca finished as second top scorer in with 13 goals in his debut 1987–88 season with Napoli, adapting swiftly to European football. His contributions at Napoli further cemented his legacy, where he is frequently included in selections of the club's all-time greatest players for his role in the 1980s golden era alongside and . Careca's technical finishing and movement also led to him being named joint second-top scorer in the with six goals, helping Napoli secure the title. Beyond awards, Careca's enduring impact positions him among Brazil's elite strikers, often ranked alongside and for his blend of speed, intelligence, and goal-scoring instinct despite never winning a . His partnership in Napoli's "Ma-Gi-Ca" attacking trio made him a in the city, symbolizing the club's triumphant Maradona years and inspiring generations of South American forwards with his elegant, team-oriented style. Post-retirement, Careca has been featured in retrospectives celebrating Brazil's 1986 squad, with renewed mentions in 2022 coverage of history, though no major new awards have emerged by 2025.

References

  1. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/11/15/the-glory-of-careca-at-napoli/
  2. https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/10/legend-of-calcio-careca/
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/careca/leistungsdaten/spieler/117626
  4. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/careca-intlg.html
  5. https://www.museudapelada.com/vozes-da-bola-entrevista-careca/
  6. https://ge.globo.com/programas/esporte-espetacular/noticia/2010/10/careca-completa-50-anos-e-fala-sobre-maradona-selecao-carreira-e-mais.html
  7. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/braz78.html
  8. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/braz83.html
  9. https://www.transfermarkt.us/careca/erfolge/spieler/117626
  10. https://www.playmakerstats.com/player/careca/5744
  11. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/06/24/careca-the-master-of-all-he-surveys/bd64b5af-4511-4c0b-9159-d1a29b497cd1/
  12. https://www.fanpage.it/sport/calcio/il-no-al-milan-da-parte-di-careca-e-quel-patto-con-il-napoli-e-maradona/
  13. https://www.football-napoli.net/Fixtures-and-Results/Napoli/1988-89/Coppa-Uefa/
  14. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/00ea-0e6a0cc871e7-6a9bd3c50681-1000--1988-89-maradona-leads-the-way-for-napoli/
  15. http://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/careca.html
  16. https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/careca-romario-and-dani-alves---brazils-world-cup-injury-woes/ifkoxj1q2m0715kd64wbt40o2
  17. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/careca/
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GStM2bczye0
  19. https://inside.fifa.com/news/tele-and-his-gods-of-82
  20. https://www.rsssf.org/tables/83safull.html
  21. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/13645/Careca_1.html
  22. https://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0003/1458/WCC_The_Tactical_Evolution_of_Brazilian_Soccer.pdf
  23. https://kids.kiddle.co/Careca
  24. https://www.ranker.com/list/best-brazilian-strikers-forwards-all-time/raul-cortez
  25. https://destinationcalcio.com/five-best-goals-from-napoli-and-ac-milan/
  26. http://xtraimmortal.blogspot.com/2013/07/Striker.html
  27. https://cultofcalcio.com/throwback-thursday-five-goals-to-juve-maradonas-last-miracle-in-napoli/
  28. https://cultofcalcio.com/serie-a-epics-seasons-1986-87-napoli-and-maradonas-tale-of-triumph/
  29. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/926--napoli-vs-stuttgart/
  30. https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/brazil-argentina-1990-world-cup-taffarel-silas-ricardo-gomes-maradona-caniggia
  31. https://fbref.com/en/players/8016a874/Careca
  32. https://www.football-napoli.net/Players/Napoli/Antonio-Careca/399/
  33. https://www.thesoccerworldcups.com/players/careca.php
  34. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/careca/copa-america/4/
  35. https://imortaisdofutebol.com/craque-imortal-careca/
  36. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/careca-silver-shoe-award-1986-fifa-world-cup-mexico/6d46ae65-6bf4-4cea-83fa-ea0340c66dce
  37. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe41625/careca/honours/
  38. https://www.gentlemanultra.com/2022/07/25/all-time-xi-napoli/
  39. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/5-greatest-brazilian-footballers-to-never-win-the-fifa-world-cup
  40. https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/brazil-france-1986-fifa-world-cup-end-of-an-era-zico-socrates-junior-careca
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