Silvio Mendes Campos, Sylvinho

Sylvio Mendes Campos 'Sylvinho', has tried his luck in three of the most important leagues in the world: the Brazilian, English and Spanish. He has always been successful.

His professional career started back in 1994 in Corinthians, one of the clubs of his home town, Sao Paulo. After shining at club level, Mario Zagallo called him up to the national team for his 1997 debut against Russia.

His quality and consistence opened the doors to European football and in 1999 he left Corinthians for the Premier League and Arsenal. Following two seasons at Arsenal, where he quickly became a crowd favourite, he moved to Celta Vigo for the 2001-02 season. There he became an integral part of the team that in the 2003-04 season qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Sylvinho arrives at Barça for the 2004-05 season hoping to avoid having to occupy one of the positions for non-European Community players.

Sylvinho has never disappointed in his two seasons wearing an FC Barcelona shirt. However, in the 2004-05 season, a partially torn knee ligament meant he missed out on three months of football. Once fit again, Sylvinho appeared in 21 league games and 3 in the Champions League.

In the 2005-06 season, Sylvinho was a regular starter in league games, but was almost entirely ignored in the Champions League, where he only got to play 21 minutes in the game at Chelsea as a substitute for the injured Gio van Bronckhorst. Curiously, Sylvinho won the League and Champions League titles while facing his two former clubs, Celta Vigo and Arsenal.

CHARACTERISTICS

All Brazilian players, almost by genetic default, are touched by magic and graced with an attacking flair. Sylvinho, despite playing at left-back, is no exception to this rule.

His attacking instincts have allowed him to get down the wing throughout his career and he has a culture left-foot when it comes to crossing for the forwards.

As well as his solid defensive ability, the Brazilian is capable of slotting into the midfield. Sylvinho is renowned for his quality, tactical awareness and his concentration levels in every game.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Corinthians
1998-99 Paulista League
1997-98 Brazilian League
1996-97 Paulista League
1994-95 Paulista League 
1994-95 Brazilian Cup