Who is Afonso Alves?

Born on 30 January 1981 in Belo Horizonte, Afonso Alves Martins Jnr, or simply Afonso is a Brazilian former professional footballer (forward) who last played for Al Gharafa in the top flight of Qatar. Since the mid-2000s, Afonso has had great success in Sweden and the Dutch league, from which he was later recruited by England. During this period, he also had the chance to represent the Brazilian national team, but after choosing Qatar's top league as his job, he lost it.

Career in Sweden

Alves broke through at Allsvenskan club Örgryte IS in 2002, which he joined from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, who then had a deal with ÖIS. In his first game since the start, an away game against Jurgårdens IF, he scored a hat-trick, and the rest of the season was also successful with 13 goals in 18 games. Brassens, who specialized in free kicks, grew in his second year in Sweden to become one of Allsvenskan's most respected players, and before the 2004 Allsvenskan season, he was constantly recruited by the hard-working Malmö FF.

Also in Malmö, Afonso's shots on goal worked. Scoring 12 goals and finishing second in the shooting league, he made a significant contribution to SM's first gold in 16 years. 2005 was a disappointment for the club when they found themselves in fifth place; and this despite Afonso continuing to score goals: 14 gave another second-place finish in a prolific league. Irrational and tough bosses now said they were ready for new goals, and rumors of moving on to Europe intensified.

Career in Europe

In June 2006, Alves left MFF for Dutch SC Heerenveen where he had great success from the start. He won the Dutch top scorer league (12 goals difference) and was very close to winning the 2007 European goalscorer of the year award (Golden Boot). On 17 May 2007, he was selected for the first time for the Brazilian national team for the friendly games against England and Turkey. In the match against England, Afonso Alves was substituted in the 71st minute when Kaka was forced off the pitch.

After a year in the Netherlands and a successful win in the shooting league and a place in the national team, Alves considered himself too good for the Dutch league and refused to return for another season in March 2007. However, his contract with Heerenveen ran until 2010 and the management was forced to stay. Despite his desire to move, he continued to play. On 7 October, in the second game of the season, Afonso scored a record seven goals against Eredivisie rival Heracles Almelo as Heerenveen won 9-0.

In January 2008, there were rumors about Afonso; among other things, AZ Alkmaar would buy him out for 170 million kroner, and there were even rumors that Manchester City wanted that management. After many rumors of different clubs, Premier League club Middlesbrough has finally managed to sign Alves. However, it was only 42 games at Middlesbrough and only 10 goals before the team were relegated from the Premier League during his second year in England. Many performed poorly during the season and, according to fans, management was one of the main culprits.

Career in Qatar

Alves was not interested in playing in England's second top flight. Instead, he opted for the well-paid Al Sadd sports club in Qatar's top flight, and with that, he disappeared from absolute top-flight football. The transfer was completed on 9 September 2009.

Alves ended his football career in 2015.

Personal life

Afonso has a son, from a previous relationship, Felipe Enrique, who plays in the Atletico Mineiro's Tupinambas Academy, which is the club's youth team. Alves has a girlfriend in Sweden.

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