Bruno Gama
{{short description|Portuguese footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Portuguese name|Vilela|Gama}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Bruno Gama
| image = Bruno Gama2015.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Gama in action for Dnipro in 2015
| full_name = Bruno Alexandre Vilela Gama{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jogador/bruno-gama/21679|title=Bruno Gama|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=28 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|11|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Vila Verde, Portugal
| position = Winger
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1998–2004 | youthclubs1 = Braga
| youthyears2 = 2000–2001 | youthclubs2 = → Bairro Misericórdia (loan)
| years1 = 2004 | clubs1 = Braga | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2004–2006 | clubs2 = Porto B | caps2 = 45 | goals2 = 6
| years3 = 2005–2009 | clubs3 = Porto | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2006–2007 | clubs4 = → Braga (loan) | caps4 = 15 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2007–2009 | clubs5 = → Vitória Setúbal (loan) | caps5 = 53 | goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2009–2011 | clubs6 = Rio Ave | caps6 = 59 | goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2011–2013 | clubs7 = Deportivo La Coruña | caps7 = 68 | goals7 = 13
| years8 = 2013–2016 | clubs8 = Dnipro | caps8 = 56 | goals8 = 9
| years9 = 2016–2018 | clubs9 = Deportivo La Coruña | caps9 = 28 | goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2018 | clubs10 = Alcorcón | caps10 = 15 | goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2018–2022 | clubs11 = Aris | caps11 = 108 | goals11 = 24
| years12 = 2022–2025 | clubs12 = AEK Larnaca | caps12 = 50 | goals12 = 5
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| nationalyears1 = 2002 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U16 | nationalcaps1 = 7 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2003–2004 | nationalteam2 = Portugal U17 | nationalcaps2 = 34 | nationalgoals2 = 11
| nationalyears3 = 2004–2005 | nationalteam3 = Portugal U18 | nationalcaps3 = 6 | nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2005–2006 | nationalteam4 = Portugal U19 | nationalcaps4 = 17 | nationalgoals4 = 9
| nationalyears5 = 2006–2007 | nationalteam5 = Portugal U20 | nationalcaps5 = 14 | nationalgoals5 = 6
| nationalyears6 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam6 = Portugal U21 | nationalcaps6 = 5 | nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 2009–2010 | nationalteam7 = Portugal U23 | nationalcaps7 = 2 | nationalgoals7 = 1
| club-update = 14:24, 26 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{medal|Country|{{fb|POR}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European U17 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2003 Portugal|}}
}}
Bruno Alexandre Vilela Gama (born 15 November 1987) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right winger.
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 129 matches and 11 goals over seven seasons, mainly representing Vitória de Setúbal and Rio Ave (two years apiece). Abroad, he played with Deportivo, Dnipro, Alcorcón, Aris and AEK Larnaca.
Gama won 83 caps for Portugal all youth categories comprised, scoring 28 goals.
Club career
=Portugal=
Gama was born in Vila Verde, Braga District. A S.C. Braga youth graduate, he appeared aged 16 in his first Primeira Liga game, a 2–2 away draw against U.D. Leiria,{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/detalhe/sub-17-golo-com-dedicatoria|title=Sub-17: Golo com dedicatória|trans-title=Under-17: Dedicated goal|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=11 May 2004|access-date=28 September 2020}} being subsequently acquired by FC Porto in a €750,000 deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/fc-porto/detalhe/a-vez-de-bruno-gama|title=A vez de Bruno Gama|trans-title=Bruno Gama's time|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=18 February 2005|access-date=23 November 2023}}
After spending most of his first seasons with the club's B side, Gama served another two top-division loans, at Braga in 2006–07[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01b8-0ea85f74dd52-b2bc89c58d57-1000--braga-grab-bruno-gama/ Braga grab Bruno Gama]; UEFA, 17 August 2006– scoring in a 4–0 home win over FC Slovan Liberec in the group stage of the UEFA Cup{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01bb-0ea8848475cd-ffd29da0b728-1000--braga-sweep-liberec-aside/|title=Braga sweep Liberec aside|publisher=UEFA|date=2 November 2006|access-date=25 April 2025}}– and Vitória de Setúbal the following two years.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=310025|title=Bruno Gama cedido por uma temporada|trans-title=Bruno Gama loaned for one season|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=28 June 2007|access-date=9 May 2013}}
In mid-July 2009, Gama was released by Porto and joined Rio Ave F.C. on a two-year contract. During his first season in Vila do Conde he was one of the few players to play all 30 league matches, contributing to a final 12th place in the top tier; he scored in home defeats of former side Setúbal (1–0){{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/rio-ave-bate-v-setubal_d273400|title=Rio Ave bate V. Setúbal|trans-title=Rio Ave beat V. Setúbal|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=pt|date=24 August 2009|access-date=28 September 2020}} and Leixões SC (2–0).{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/116/719/2/index.html|title=Porto keep pressure on leaders Benfica|publisher=FIFA|date=7 February 2010|access-date=17 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417104207/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/116/719/2/index.html|archive-date=17 April 2014}}
=Deportivo=
As many compatriots during that timeframe, Gama signed for Spain's Deportivo de La Coruña on 27 July 2011, for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2011/07/27/mas_futbol/1311717612_850215.html|title=El Deportivo ficha a Bruno Gama, del {{sic|nolink=y|Río Ave}} portugués|trans-title=Deportivo sign Bruno Gama, from Portugal's Rio Ave|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=27 July 2011|access-date=9 May 2013}} He contributed 29 games and seven goals in his first year, to help the Galicians win the Segunda División championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2016/06/11/vuelve-bruno-gama-idolos-aficion-riazor/0003_201606L11P52991.htm|title=Vuelve Bruno Gama, uno de los ídolos de la afición de Riazor|trans-title=Return of Bruno Gama, one of the Riazor faithful's idols|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=Pedro José|last=Barreiros|language=es|date=11 June 2016|access-date=21 February 2018}}
Gama made his debut in La Liga on 20 August 2012, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home victory over CA Osasuna.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/348501?cc=5739|title=Depor start with a win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=20 August 2012|access-date=9 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024532/http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?cc=5739&id=348501|archive-date=20 June 2018}}
=Dnipro=
On 20 August 2013, following Deportivo's relegation, Gama moved teams and countries again, joining FC Dnipro on a three-year contract.[http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/dnipro-signs-portuguese-midfielder-from-deportivo/ Dnipro signs Portuguese midfielder from Deportivo]; Interfax-Ukraine, 20 August 2013 On 13 September of the following year, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–2 win at FC Metalist Kharkiv.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/internacional/artigo/2014/09/13/bruno-gama-faz-hat-trick-na-vit-ria-do-dnipro|title=Bruno Gama faz hat-trick na vitória do Dnipro|trans-title=Bruno Gama scores hat-trick in Dnipro's victory|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=13 September 2014|access-date=15 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924234641/http://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/internacional/artigo/2014/09/13/bruno-gama-faz-hat-trick-na-vit-ria-do-dnipro|archive-date=24 September 2016}}
Gama made 16 appearances – all rounds included – to help his team to reach the final of the 2015 Europa League against Sevilla FC, being an unused substitute in the 3–2 loss in Warsaw.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32908634|title=Dnipropetrovsk 2–3 Sevilla|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Gary|last=Rose|date=27 May 2015|access-date=21 September 2020}}
=Alcorcón=
On 17 February 2018, after a further two top-flight seasons with Deportivo, the free agent Gama signed a short-term deal with AD Alcorcón.{{cite web|url=https://www.adalcorcon.com/noticia/bruno-gama-nuevo-futbolista-de-la-a-d-alcorcon|title=Bruno Gama, nuevo futbolista de la A.D. Alcorcón|trans-title=Bruno Gama, new footballer of A.D. Alcorcón|publisher=AD Alcorcón|language=es|date=17 February 2018|access-date=18 February 2018}} He scored his only goal for the latter on 3 June, helping the hosts defeat CF Reus Deportiu 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/deportes/3-0-el-alcorcon-vence-sin-oposicion-al-reus-y-consigue-la-permanencia/10006-3636559|title=3–0. El Alcorcón vence sin oposición al Reus y consigue la permanencia|trans-title=3–0. Alcorcón have no problem beating Reus and stay up|publisher=EFE|language=es|date=3 June 2018|access-date=16 August 2018}}
=Aris=
On 10 August 2018, Gama joined Aris Thessaloniki F.C. on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=http://sportdog.gr/sports/podosfairo/article/470668/tha-trelanei-kosmo-o-arhs-fetos-anakoinwse-ki-allh-metagrafh|script-title=el:Θα... τρελάνει κόσμο ο Άρης φέτος – Ανακοίνωσε κι άλλη μεταγραφή|trans-title=In sight... Crazy Aris this year – Another transfer announced|publisher=Sport Dog|language=el|date=10 August 2018|access-date=10 August 2018}} Seventeen days later, in his Super League Greece debut, he scored in a 3–0 away win against PAS Lamia 1964.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/arhs-na-goystareis-3-0-th-lamia-sto-dak.5294579.html|script-title=el:Άρης να γουστάρεις, 3–0 τη Λαμία στο ΔΑΚ|trans-title=Aris too good, 3–0 to Lamia at DΑΚ|publisher=Sport 24|first=Elias|last=Kallonas|language=el|date=27 August 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}
Gama netted a career-best 12 goals in his second season, as the team came fifth and qualified for the Europa League; this included a brace on 6 June 2020 in a 3–1 home victory over OFI Crete FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.agonasport.com/agonasport-allnews/gama-the-difference-for-aris|title=Gama the difference for Aris|publisher=Agona Sport|first=Shaun|last=Nicolaides|date=6 June 2020|access-date=23 July 2020}} He subsequently extended his contract for two more years.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/bruno-gama-renova-com-o-aris-salonica-ate-2022?ref=Mercado_BucketDestaquesPrincipais|title=Bruno Gama renova com o Aris Salónica até 2022|trans-title=Bruno Gama renews with Aris Thessaloniki until 2022|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=21 August 2020|access-date=25 August 2020}}
On 6 March 2022, in his 100th league appearance for the club, Gama closed the 2–1 defeat of Olympiacos F.C. at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, breaking the champions' undefeated streak after 25 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/aris-olympiakos-2-1-me-anatropi-oi-kitrinoi-espasan-to-aittito-ton-erythroleykon.9553332.html|title=Άρης – Ολυμπιακός 2–1: Με ανατροπή οι κίτρινοι έσπασαν το αήττητο των ερυθρόλευκων|trans-title=Aris – Olympiacos 2–1: With an upset, yellows broke the red and whites' undefeated run|publisher=Sport 24|first=Kostas|last=Avgoustakis|language=el|date=6 March 2022|access-date=6 March 2022}}
International career
Internationally, Gama first participated in the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, as Portugal emerged victorious on home soil.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cdda02a96af-8d5f8024578d-1000--portugal-secure-maximum-points/|title=Portugal secure maximum points|publisher=UEFA|date=11 May 2003|access-date=25 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/sub-17-campeoes-europeus-portugal-vence-espanha-2-1|title=Sub-17 campeões europeus: Portugal vence Espanha (2–1)|trans-title=Under-17 European champions: Portugal beat Spain (2–1)|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Ana|last=Soares|language=pt|date=17 May 2003|access-date=13 June 2025}} He also helped the team reach the quarter-finals in that year's FIFA World Cup held in Finland, scoring one goal against Cameroon.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/sub-17-portugal-da-goleada-ao-empate-e-o-apuramento-no-limite-5-5|title=Sub-17: Portugal da goleada ao empate e o apuramento no limite (5–5)|trans-title=Under-17: Portugal from rout to draw and qualification on the line (5–5)|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=20 August 2003|access-date=25 April 2025}}
Gama captained Portugal in the 2004 European Under-17 Championship, being crowned top scorer after netting three in five appearances and being essential as the national side took third place.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/history/season=2004/index.html|title=France enjoy home comforts|publisher=UEFA|access-date=3 January 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308170525/http://www.uefa.com/under17/history/season=2004/index.html|archive-date=8 March 2010}} In 2006 he appeared with the under-19s at the Under-19 European Championship, scoring in every game in the group stage.
Gama was part of the squad that took part in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring two goals in the country's only win in the tournament – one from a free kick and the other from the penalty spot in a 2–0 win against New Zealand.[https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0257-0de6cd1f7b9e-5735c1dbf5c8-1000--gama-gets-portugal-going/ Gama gets Portugal going]; UEFA, 2 July 2007 In the ensuing Autumn he was called up to the under-21s[https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de6e11f6ae8-5d6629b15ac8-1000--cacador-offers-chance-to-new-trio/ Caçador offers chance to new trio]; UEFA, 8 November 2007 and, in 2010, he played with the Olympic team in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy.[http://www.fpf.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_FUTEBOL/SELECCOES/NOTICIA?notid=8872283 Sub-23 regressam (Under-23 return)]{{dead link|date=January 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}; Portuguese Football Federation, 26 February 2010 (in Portuguese)
Personal life
Gama's older brother, Augusto, was also a footballer. He too represented Braga and Rio Ave.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/rio_ave/interior.aspx?content_id=422586|title=Quando todos os dias são vividos em família|trans-title=When every day is a family day|newspaper=Record|first=André|last=Monteiro|language=pt|date=24 December 2009|access-date=29 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090723/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/rio_ave/interior.aspx?content_id=422586|archive-date=18 May 2015}}
Career statistics
{{updated|22 May 2022}}{{ForaDeJogo}}{{Soccerway|bruno-alexandre-vilela-gama/17112}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| Braga
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| Porto
|Primeira Liga |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Porto B
|rowspan="2"|Segunda Divisão |23 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 3 | |||
| 2005–06
|22 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 6 | colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|— | 45 | 6 | |||||
| Braga
|Primeira Liga |15 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 21 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3"|Vitória Setúbal
|rowspan="2"|Primeira Liga |24 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 4 | |
| 2008–09
|29 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 5 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!53 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 70 | 9 |
| rowspan="3"|Rio Ave
|rowspan="2"|Primeira Liga |30 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 40 | 3 | |
| 2010–11
|29 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 75 | 7 | |
| rowspan=4|Deportivo
|29 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 7 | ||
| 2012–13
|38 | 6 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 40 | 6 | ||
| 2013–14
|Segunda División |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!68 | 13 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 70 | 13 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Dnipro
|rowspan="3"|Ukrainian Premier League |10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | 17 | 3 | |
| 2014–15
|23 | 5 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18{{ref label|B|B}} | 0 | 45 | 5 | |
| 2015–16
|23 | 1 | 6 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 1 | 35 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!56 | 9 | 11 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | 97 | 12 | |
| rowspan="3"|Deportivo
|rowspan="2"|La Liga |22 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18
|6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 0 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| Alcorcón
|Segunda División |15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="5"|Aris
|rowspan="4"|Super League Greece |14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20
|34 | 12 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 13 | ||
| 2020–21
|33 | 5 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 1 | 37 | 7 | |
| 2021–22
|27 | 5 | 4 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 33 | 7 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!108||24||14||4||colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 125 | 29 | |||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!449 | 64 | 50 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 38 | 4 | 551 | 80 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Vitória Setúbal
Deportivo
Dnipro
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2014–15
AEK Larnaca
Portugal U17
Individual
- UEFA European Under-17 Championship top scorer: 2004 (3 goals){{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u16-04.html|title=European U-17 Championship 2004|publisher=RSSSF|first1=Julián|last1=Díaz Rubio|first2=Antonio|last2=Zea|access-date=13 June 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{ForaDeJogo}}
- {{BDFutbol|8684}}
- {{FFU|22049213}}
- {{FPF national player|579017}}
- {{FIFA player|200206}}
{{UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship awards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gama, Bruno}}
Category:People from Vila Verde
Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
Category:Portuguese men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Braga District
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Segunda Divisão players
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players
Category:AD Alcorcón footballers
Category:Ukrainian Premier League players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Aris Thessaloniki F.C. players
Category:Cypriot First Division players
Category:AEK Larnaca FC players
Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers
Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Ukraine
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Ukraine