23.08.2007 19:04
The Golden Goal
Berta Brau
Juliano Belletti, the man to store the crucial goal to give FC Barcelona the Champions League crown for only the second time, has left the club after spending three successful years.
The Brazilian defender moves on leaving the memory of his historic goal, which happened to be his
only goal in official competitions with the blaugrana. During his time with Barça, Belletti won two
Liga titles, a Champions League title and two Spanish Supercup titles.
Three Seasons
Belletti arrived at Barça in the summer of 2004 following
his transfer from Villarreal. His debut came against Racing Santander on the 29th of August of the
same year, where he set up Giuly for a goal. That season he was the clear first choice at right
back and participated in nearly all the games.
His presence was habitual during the following season—notching up 27 Liga games and 10
Champions League. However, his participation last season was somewhat limited—playing in only
13 Liga games and only two appearances in the Champions League.
Into the History Books
Belletti secured his place in the Barça history books on the 17th of May 2006: Belletti
picked up a pass from Larsson in the area and got a shot off despite pressure from Flamini, the
ball found its way through the legs of the advancing Alumnia and into the back of the net. 2-1
Barça. Belletti had only come on a few minutes earlier, but it did not take him long to play a key
role.
More than 100 games
In the three seasons, the full back placed a total of 103 official games for Barça, which included
the Liga, Champions League, Spanish Supercup, European Supercup, the Copa del Rey and the World
clubs.