Giovani dos Santos

File:Giovani Dos Santos - 001.jpg in 2008]]

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León,[https://archive.today/20121209050258/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_07-08/plantilla/jugadors/giovani.html Giovani Dos Santos Ramírez] FC Barcelona Dos Santos joined Barcelona's academy of La Masia at age 13{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/mexico/giovani_dos_santos |title=Giovani Dos Santos |work=BBC Sport |access-date=8 July 2010 |archive-date=1 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801235056/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/mexico/giovani_dos_santos |url-status=dead }} and played for Barcelona's Juvenil A category, where he helped his team to make a comeback in the league and win the regional title. This title allowed them to participate in the Youth Copa del Rey, where they faced other regional champions, among them their historic arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Dos Santos once again played a significant role during the tournament and helped the team win the national title of the Juvenil A category.

In 2006, Dos Santos was invited on the pre-season tour of Barcelona's senior squad; during a friendly match on 29 July 2006, he scored in his senior team debut game against Danish club AGF Aarhus.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/noticias/noticias/n06072817.shtml |title=Goals and debuts in Denmark (0–3) |publisher=FCBarcelona.com |date=29 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827113451/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/noticias/noticias/n06072817.shtml |archive-date=27 August 2006}} On 28 November 2006, Barcelona included Dos Santos in their 23-man squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=6507&b=true&pn=Giovani_Alex_Dos_Santos_Ram%C3%ADrez |title=GIOVANI |publisher=footballdatabase.com |access-date=8 July 2010}}

During mid-2007, Dos Santos was once again invited to join Barcelona's senior squad on their pre-season tour. On 29 August 2007, he received dual nationality{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=584086.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909135323/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=584086.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2007 |title=Dos Santos gets Spanish papers |agency=AFP |publisher=Published by FIFA.com |date=29 August 2007 |access-date=14 August 2010}} and was included in the official first team squad. He made his competitive and league debut on 2 September 2007 (at 18 years and 114 days) during a 3–1 home win against Athletic Bilbao, coming on for Thierry Henry in the 62nd minute.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=226421&cc=5901 |title=Barcelona 3–1 Athletic Bilbao |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=17 January 2007 |access-date=17 January 2008 |archive-date=12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185141/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=226421&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}

Dos Santos made his UEFA Champions League debut on 20 September 2007 during a 3–0 home win against Lyon. He came on as a substitute for Xavi in the 79th minute.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=228758&cc=5901 |title=Barcelona 3–0 Lyon: Messi orchestrates win |date=19 September 2007 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=17 January 2008 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023231922/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=228758&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}

On 17 May 2008, Dos Santos scored a hat-trick against Real Murcia, with a final score of 5–3, granting a victory to Barça on the team's last game of the 2007–08 season. It was also the last game Dos Santos played before joining Tottenham Hotspur.

On 18 June 2008, Dos Santos passed a medical and agreed terms to complete his move to Tottenham from Barcelona. Barcelona reported that the transfer fee was €6 million with an additional €5 million payable depending on appearances for Tottenham.{{cite web |url=http://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/06/n080606104518.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905183548/http://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/06/n080606104518.html |url-status=dead |title=FCBarcelona.cat |date=5 September 2012 |archive-date=5 September 2012 }}{{cite news |publisher=Global Sports Media |url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2010/January/26/galatasaray-set-for-giovani-loan-swoop |title=Galatasaray set for Giovani loan swoop |date=26 January 2010}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/2302537/Tottenham-sign-Giovani-dos-Santos-from-Barca.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005024859/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/2302537/Tottenham-sign-Giovani-dos-Santos-from-Barca.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2008 |title=Tottenham sign Giovani dos Santos from Barca |date=6 June 2008 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=8 July 2010 |last1=Agencies |first1=Telegraph Staff and}}

Dos Santos was on target twice as Tottenham beat local Spanish side UD Tavernes in 8–0 on their 2008–09 pre-season tour. He also played in Spurs' other pre-season games including the 5–1 wins over Leyton Orient and Norwich City. He also scored the second goal in the 3–0 win over Borussia Dortmund to help Spurs to make it two wins out of two and take home the Feyenoord Jubileum Tournament trophy. He scored his first competitive goal for Spurs in the UEFA Cup on 26 February 2009 against Shakhtar Donetsk.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7900048.stm |title=Tottenham 1–1 S Donetsk (agg 1–3) |work=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2009 |access-date=16 April 2010}} After 12 first team appearances, he was sent on loan to Ipswich Town for the remainder of the season.

Dos Santos returned to Tottenham at the start of the 2009–10 season and his first game of the season came against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, in which he provided an assist. He was substituted off, however, due to an ankle injury early on in a League Cup game against Preston North End and managed to make only a substitute appearance in a 1–0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Dos Santos' commitment was questioned by then Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who warned him to stay away from nightclubs and revealed that he was often late for training on Mondays.{{cite web |title=Redknapp warning for Giovani |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/6246528/redknapp-warning-for-giovani |website=Sky Sports |access-date=14 January 2021 |date=6 July 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Hirst |first1=Paul |title=LA Galaxy's Giovani Dos Santos shows the talent he wasted in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/la-galaxys-giovani-dos-santos-shows-the-talent-he-wasted-in-the-premier-league-with-tottenham-hotspur-wdd8mvlcp |access-date=14 January 2021 |work=The Sunday Times |date=16 July 2017}}

Dos Santos scored and had an assist in Tottenham's UEFA Europa League group match against Shamrock Rovers on 29 September 2011 at White Hart Lane. On 7 January 2012, he scored a goal and completed an assist for a 3–0 win against Cheltenham Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

In March 2009, Dos Santos signed on loan at Ipswich Town until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/7942956.stm |title=Ipswich sign Dos Santos on loan |date=13 March 2009 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 March 2009}} He made his debut on 14 March 2009, coming on as a substitute against Reading.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7923128.stm |title=Reading 0–1 Ipswich |date=14 March 2009 |access-date=14 March 2009 |work=BBC Sport}} He scored his first league goal and the equaliser in the following game against Burnley. He scored his second goal against Bristol City on Easter Monday, a 94th-minute penalty to equalise for Ipswich. He also claimed an assist and a goal from the penalty spot in Ipswich's 3–2 win over local rivals Norwich City a week later.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7990085.stm |title=Ipswich 3–2 Norwich |date=19 April 2009 |access-date=19 April 2009 |work=BBC Sport}} He finished his loan with four goals in eight appearances.

In January 2010, Dos Santos signed for Turkish club Galatasaray on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season, with an option to purchase him at the end of that period.{{cite web |url=http://www.galatasaray.org/en/futbol/futbol_as/haber/909.php |title=Giovani Joins Galatasaray |publisher=Galatasaray S.K. |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=27 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130105125/http://www.galatasaray.org/en/futbol/futbol_as/haber/909.php |archive-date=30 January 2010}} The move reunited the player with Frank Rijkaard, his former coach at Barcelona. On 31 January, Dos Santos made his debut coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Emre Çolak in a Süper Lig game against Denizlispor, a 2–1 victory.{{cite news |url=http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/332198/Live |title=Denizlispor 1–2 Galatasaray |publisher=Whoscored.com}} He returned to Tottenham in the summer having failed to score for Galatasaray, and stayed there for half a season before being loaned to La Liga club Racing de Santander in January.

On 31 January 2011, Dos Santos joined La Liga side Racing de Santander on loan until the end of the season from Tottenham.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gio-joining-racing-santander-on-loan-310111.html |title=Gio joining Racing Santander on loan |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur Official Webpage |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=31 January 2011}} He made his debut for his new club on 5 February 2011 as a substitute against Real Zaragoza, drawing the game 1–1. He scored his first goal as a substitute against Villarreal in the 68th minute on 27 February 2011. Dos Santos scored a brace in a 3–2 win league match over Hércules.

File:Giovani dos Santos Ramírez.jpg midfielder Hedwiges Maduro]]

It was reported that Dos Santos had told Tottenham that he wanted a move in the summer of 2012 or else he would leave on a free transfer during the next transfer window. His agent stated there was interest from Serie A club Inter Milan{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/08/16/giovani-dos-santos-could-make-inter-milan-move-as-julio-cesar-nears-spurs-539078/ |title=Giovani dos Santos could make Inter Milan move as Julio Cesar nears Spurs |first1=Jamie |last1=Sanderson |date=16 August 2012 }} as well as Sevilla.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7458325/sevilla-rule-out-dos-santos|title=Sevilla rule out Dos Santos|work=Sky Sports }}

On 31 August 2012, Dos Santos signed a four-year deal with Spanish outfit Mallorca, being introduced as their new number 9.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3877/england/2012/08/31/3343793/breaking-news-giovani-dos-santos-joins-mallorca-on-four-year?source=breakingnews |title=BREAKING NEWS: Giovani dos Santos joins Mallorca on four-year deal from Tottenham |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=31 August 2012 |publisher=Goal.com}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19439955: "Giovani Dos Santos to join Real Mallorca from Tottenham]. BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 21 August 2012. On 22 October, he made his debut for Mallorca, playing 60 minutes and assisting both goals in a 3–2 away defeat to Sevilla.[http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2012/10/22/3470356/giovani-dos-santos-picks-up-two-assists-in-mallorca-debut: "Giovani dos Santos picks up two assists in Mallorca debut"]. Goal.com. Retrieved 23 October 2012. He played another 60 minutes on 28 October in a 5–0 home defeat to Real Madrid. Dos Santos scored his first goal for Mallorca against Espanyol on 18 January 2013. Though Mallorca would finish the season in 18th place and was relegated, Dos Santos was a mainstay in the squad, amassing 32 total appearances and finished as their top goal-scorer with six goals as well as seven assists.

On 9 July 2013, Dos Santos completed a much speculated move to recently promoted side Villarreal for a reported €6 million.{{cite web |url=http://as.com/diarioas/2013/07/09/english/1373397123_708108.html |title=Giovani Dos Santos is officially a Villarreal player |publisher=Diario AS |access-date=9 July 2013 |archive-date=16 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716113944/http://as.com/diarioas/2013/07/09/english/1373397123_708108.html |url-status=dead }} He finished the 2013–14 season with 11 goals and 8 assists, helping the club finish the season in sixth place.

On 15 July 2015, the Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy announced the signing of dos Santos as a Designated Player,{{cite web |title=LA Galaxy sign Giovani dos Santos |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2015/07/15/la-galaxy-sign-giovani-dos-santos-transaction?autoplay=true |publisher=LA Galaxy |access-date=15 July 2015 |date=15 July 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in a reported US$7 million deal.{{cite web |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=14 July 2015 |title=Galaxy acquires Mexico team star Giovani Dos Santos after long pursuit |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-giovani-dos-santos-galaxy-20150708-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times}}

On 6 August, dos Santos made his competitive debut and scored his first competitive goal for the Galaxy in a CONCACAF Champions League fixture against Trinidadian side Central FC. Three days later, he made his MLS debut and scored a goal and provided an assist in the 3–1 win over Seattle Sounders FC.

On October 2, it was reported that dos Santos made that year's FIFA Ballon d'Or longlist.{{cite web|title=Giovani dos Santos named to the long list for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2015/10/02/giovani-dos-santos-named-long-list-prestigious-fifa-ballon-dor-insider}}

In July 2016, dos Santos was included in the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal |title=Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=17 July 2016 |access-date=18 July 2016}} On 21 July 2016, he came off of the bench during the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Cup, scoring within three minutes of coming onto the pitch. The goal help the Galaxy start a comeback leading to a 4–2 victory over Seattle Sounders to advance to the semi-finals for the first time in ten years.{{cite web |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/07/20/match-report-la-galaxy-secure-spot-open-cup-semifinals-4-2-win-over-seattle-sounders |title=Match Report: LA Galaxy secure spot in Open Cup semifinals with 4–2 win over Seattle Sounders |publisher=LA Galaxy |date=21 July 2016}}

In July 2017, Dos Santos was included in the roster for the 2017 MLS All-Star Game.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2017/rosters/mls-all-star-team |title=2017 MLS All-Star Game Roster |date=2 August 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=27 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727202050/https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2017/rosters/mls-all-star-team |url-status=dead }}

On 1 March 2019, LA Galaxy announced they had exercised its one offseason buyout of a guaranteed contract on dos Santos, thus releasing him from the team.{{cite web |title=LA Galaxy exercise offseason buyout on Giovani dos Santos |url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/03/01/la-galaxy-exercise-offseason-buyout-giovani-dos-santos |publisher=LA Galaxy |access-date=1 March 2019}}

On 6 July 2019, Dos Santos officially joined Mexican side Club América.{{cite web|title=¡Oficial! América cierra a Giovani dos Santos como refuerzo |work=Mediotiempo |url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/america-cierra-a-giovani-dos-santos-como-refuerzo |language=es |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=6 July 2019}} He played in the Liga MX for the first time after reaching a three-year agreement with América, being handed the number 10 shirt.{{cite web|title=Club America announces Giovani dos Santos signing |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/club-america-announces-giovani-dos-santos-signing/1pm80te2tmkcd12dt3zeaa3suk |publisher=Goal.com |language=en |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=6 July 2019}} In his first Súper Clasico against Guadalajara on 28 September, dos Santos suffered a thigh injury following a tackle from Antonio Briseño, with the defender piercing dos Santos' skin with his studs and leaving a deep gash in his right leg.https://www.buzz.ie/football/dos-santos-hole-leg-shocking-tackle-338877 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} He was stretchered off the field and immediately taken to a nearby hospital. Club América later released a statement revealing the player had suffered a wound in the quadriceps of the right thigh and would require surgery, thereby ruling him out of action for up to six weeks.{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Alex|title= Smiling Dos Santos thanks fans after successful surgery follows horrific injury|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/smiling-dos-santos-thanks-fans-after-successful-surgery/1wtro02ismgld14qkprtgp722l |publisher=Goal.com |date=29 September 2019 |access-date=30 September 2019}}

On 15 June 2021, Club América released dos Santos.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8785074/giovani-dos-santos-baja-america-apertura-2021|title=América da de baja a Giovani dos Santos|publisher=ESPN México|language=es|date=15 June 2021}}

Dos Santos participated at the 2001 Danone Nations Cup that was held at the Parc des Princes, Paris, where 40 countries also participated. Mexico would finish the tournament fifth, and Dos Santos won the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer.

During the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, which his team won, Dos Santos assisted half of the goals of Mexico during the tournament, a feat that won him the Adidas Silver Ball as the second best player of the tournament, finishing behind only to Brazilian midfielder Anderson.

In the U-20 World Cup Qualifiers, Dos santos scored twice; once against St. Kitts and Nevis in the 86th minute and the second against Jamaica in the 56th minute. He was forced to sit out the last game for precautionary reasons against Costa Rica, as he had received a yellow card in the previous match. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, but Mexico still qualified, finishing top of the regional group.

During the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Mexico was placed in Group C, where they were drawn against Gambia, Portugal and New Zealand. On 2 July 2007, Dos Santos and the rest of the Mexico team played against Gambia and won 3–0, with Dos Santos opening the scoring in the second half with a volley into the top left-hand corner from outside of the box. He then played against Portugal, where Mexico won 2–1, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot. As Mexico had already qualified from the group, he was rested for the game against New Zealand. In the round of 16, Mexico played against Congo and Dos Santos returned to the starting line-up and yet again opened the scoring with a goal from the penalty spot in a match that Mexico won 3–0. In the quarter-finals, Mexico was eliminated by Argentina by an own goal on the second-half, which was the only goal of the game in a 1–0. Dos Santos was awarded the Adidas Bronze Ball.

In June 2012, Dos Santos was called up to play with the under-23 squad that would participate at the 2012 London Olympics.[http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2012/06/20/3189591/mexico-announces-full-olympic-roster: "Mexico announces full Olympic roster"]. Goal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2012. On 29 July, he started on the bench but later scored his first two goals against Gabon, earning Mexico a 2–0 win.[https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/7/29/3199938/mexico-vs-gabon-2012-olympics-final-score-match-report-el-tri-sub-23: "Mexico Vs. Gabon, 2012 Olympics: Giovani Dos Santos The Hero For El Tri"]. SB Nation. Retrieved 29 June 2012. Dos Santos scored his third goal of the tournament on 4 August against Senegal, scoring a crucial tie breaking goal in the 98th minute of extra time to give Mexico a 3–2 lead, which eventually led to a 4–2 win. He was in the starting XI for the semi-final match against Japan and played the first half of the game, but was substituted out for Raúl Jiménez in the 46th minute due to an injury, which ultimately ruled him out of the final against Brazil. Dos Santos was, however, on the bench and watched Mexico defeat Brazil 2–1 at Wembley Stadium.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/sports/olympics/mexico-downs-brazil-in-olympics-soccer.html?_r=0|last=Borden|first=Sam|date=11 August 2012|title=Mexico Wins Olympic Gold in Men's Soccer, Beating Brazil|work=The New York Times|access-date=19 March 2018}}

File:2017 Confederation Cup - MEXNZL - Giovani dos Santos.jpg in 2017]]

Dos Santos earned his first selection in the senior team roster when Hugo Sánchez picked him for exhibition games against Panama and Brazil. Dos Santos appeared for the first time for Mexico in a 1–0 victory over Panama on 9 September 2007 wearing the number 10 jersey.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/bestyoungplayer/playertowatch=234551/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221162634/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/bestyoungplayer/playertowatch=234551/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2010 |title=Dos Santos, a Mexican darling |publisher=FIFA.com |access-date=8 July 2010}} The match was abandoned at half time because of heavy rain. He scored his first two goals for Mexico on 24 June 2009 in a friendly match against Venezuela, a game in which he was also named Man of the Match.

Dos Santos scored his third goal for Mexico on 19 July in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final game against Haiti in the 42nd minute and also recorded two assists in the 4–0 victory. On 26 July 2009, he helped Mexico end a ten-year drought of victory against the United States on American soil with a 5–0 victory that helped secure Mexico's fifth CONCACAF Gold Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/sports/soccer/27soccer.html?em |title=Mexico Thumps U.S. to Win Gold Cup |date=26 July 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=27 July 2009 |first=Jeré |last=Longman}} He was named player of the tournament.

On 5 September 2009, Dos Santos contributed to all three goals in a 3–0 win over Costa Rica in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification stages. He scored the first goal from outside the penalty box with his preferred left foot and assisted in the following two goals.{{cite web |url=http://concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4850 |title=Dos Santos chosen as Gold Cup MVP |date=26 July 2009 |work=concacaf.com |access-date=27 July 2009}}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

When his brother Jonathan dos Santos was cut from Mexico's final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup, his father Zizinho said that Giovani was very hurt and claimed he was unsure whether he would play in the World Cup.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/mexico/7793087/World-Cup-2010-Giovani-Dos-Santos-considering-quitting-Mexico-squad.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602104822/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/mexico/7793087/World-Cup-2010-Giovani-Dos-Santos-considering-quitting-Mexico-squad.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 June 2010 |title=World Cup 2010: Giovani Dos Santos 'considering quitting Mexico squad' |date=1 June 2010 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=8 July 2010 |last1=Agencies |first1=Telegraph Staff and}}

At the 2010 World Cup, Dos Santos started in every game for Mexico as a right winger. He completed 138 passes without providing an assist.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/07/11/2013951/world-cup-2010-special-forget-wayne-rooney-and-fernando |title=World Cup 2010 Special: Forget Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres, these are the stars who did the Premier League proud in South Africa |author=Matt Monaghan |date=11 July 2010 |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2010}} He was voted runner-up for the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament award, which eventually went to Thomas Müller of Germany.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/07/11/2021146/world-cup-2010-germanys-thomas-mueller-wins-young-player |title=World Cup 2010: Germany's Thomas Mueller wins young player award, beating Mexico's Giovani dos Santos and Ghana's Andre Ayew |author=Alex Dimond |date=11 July 2010 |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2010}}

Dos Santos was called up to play the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup after a good mid-season loan to Racing de Santander. On 9 June 2011, he scored a brace against Cuba in a 5–0 win.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/seleccion-mexicana/cronicas/2011/06/09/cuba-0-5-mexico-aplastante-pase-del-tri-a-cuartos_34775: |title=México 5 – Cuba 0 – (MedioTiempo.com) |access-date=26 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022085859/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/seleccion-mexicana/cronicas/2011/06/09/cuba-0-5-mexico-aplastante-pase-del-tri-a-cuartos_34775: |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} In the final match against the United States, he scored in a 4–2 win by dribbling inside the box against goalkeeper Tim Howard and chipping the ball into the top-left corner over Eric Lichaj – that goal was named as the best goal of the tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1461147.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629162341/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1461147.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |title=Mexico repeat Gold Cup glory – FIFA.com }}

Dos Santos was called up by Miguel Herrera to play the 2014 World Cup. He played in Mexico's World Cup opener against Cameroon, and on 29 June 2014, opened the scoring in a 2–1 round of 16 defeat against the Netherlands with a left-footed long range strike.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27961190 |title=Netherlands 2–1 Mexico |date=29 June 2014 |access-date=30 June 2014 |work=BBC}}

In May 2018, Dos Santos was named in Mexico's preliminary 28-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb |title=Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists - Goal.com }} and in June, was ultimately included in the final 23-man roster for the tournament.{{cite web |title=Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México |url=https://miseleccion.mx/convocatoria-la-seleccion-nacional-mexico-13/ |website=MiSeleccion.mx |language=es |access-date=4 June 2018 |date=4 June 2018}}

A quick, skillful and creative player, Dos Santos was capable of playing in several offensive positions. He was usually deployed as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, and has even been used as a supporting striker. A technically gifted playmaker who possesses great flair and dribbling skills, he was described as a "clever" and "sharp" player who had the capacity to both score goals and create chances for teammates.{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-galaxy-dos-santos-20150805-story.html |title=Giovani dos Santos comes to L.A. with built-in fan base, but Galaxy sees more |work=Los Angeles Times |author1=Greg Hadley |date=4 August 2015 |access-date=27 September 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/la-galaxy-sign-mexican-star-giovani-dos-santos-205141620--mls.html |title=LA Galaxy sign Mexican star Giovani dos Santos |publisher=Yahoo! |author1=Greg Beacham |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=27 September 2015}} As a youngster, he drew attention to himself as a precocious talent, and in 2010 he was named by Don Balón as one of the 100 best young players in the world born after 1989.{{cite web |url=http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/2010/11/02/don-balons-list-of-the-100-best-young-players-in-the-world/ |title=Don Balon's list of the 100 best young players in the world |access-date=27 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023020055/http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/2010/11/02/don-balons-list-of-the-100-best-young-players-in-the-world/ |archive-date=23 October 2013 |date=2 November 2010}}

Dos Santos is the son of former Brazilian footballer Zizinho, who played for Mexico clubs América and León in the late 1980s.{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/2014/06/16/futbol/futbol_internacional/mexico/1402922148.html |title=La familia Dos Santos, ante un partido que une raíces |trans-title=The Dos Santos family, before a match which unites roots |publisher=Marca |language=es |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=27 September 2015}} His mother, Liliana Ramírez, is Mexican. Dos Santos has two brothers and two half-brothers; the elder, Éder, played for América's reserves team as a defensive midfielder before retiring in 2009, and his younger brother, Jonathan, currently plays for América.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/ClubAmerica/status/1474125157908295686 |title=Jonathan dos Santos}} Dos Santos has appeared on the cover of the MLS custom editions of FIFA 16 and FIFA 17.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover |title=EA Sports FIFA 16 is finally in stores! Find out who made the MLS custom cover |publisher=MLS Soccer |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=23 September 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924225249/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Giovani dos Santos featured on FIFA 17's custom MLS cover |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/09/30/giovani-dos-santos-featured-fifa-17s-custom-mls-cover-insider |publisher=LA Galaxy |access-date=30 September 2016 |date=30 September 2016}}

• 1.{{note|a}}Includes Copa del Rey, FA Cup, and U.S. Open Cup
• 2.{{note|a}}Includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and CONCACAF Champions League
• 3.{{note|a}}Includes English League Cup, MLS Cup playoffs, and Leagues Cup

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each dos Santos goal.

América

• Campeón de Campeones: 2019

Mexico U17

• FIFA U-17 World Championship: 2005

Mexico U23

• Olympic Gold Medal: 2012

Mexico

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

Individual

• FIFA U-17 World Championship Silver Ball: 2005
• FIFA U-20 World Cup Bronze Ball: 2007
• FIFA Fair Play Award: 2007 (With Barcelona)
• IFFHS World's Best Club of the Decade: 2001-2010 (With Barcelona)
• IFFHS Europe's Best Club of the Decade: 2001-2010 (With Barcelona)
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Ball: 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament Team: 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Fair Play Trophy: 2011 (With Mexico)
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Goal: 2011{{cite web|url=https://www.goldcup.org/en/video/gc-2011-best-10-goals|title=GC 2011: Best 10 goals|publisher=CONCACAF Gold Cup|date=29 June 2011|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020091848/https://www.goldcup.org/en/video/gc-2011-best-10-goals|url-status=dead}}
• FIFA Puskás Award Nomination: 2011
• Ballon d'Or Nomination: 2015{{cite web | url=https://en.as.com/soccer/how-many-mexican-players-have-been-nominated-for-the-ballon-dor-complete-list-n/ | title=How many Mexican players have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or? Complete list | date=18 October 2022 }}
• MLS Best XI: 2016
• MLS All-Star: 2016, 2017{{Cite news |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/bradley-giovinco-represent-tfc-mls-star-game/ |title=Bradley, Giovinco to represent TFC at MLS All-Star game |work=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=21 July 2017 |language=en-US}}
• Premios Univision Deportes MLS Player of the Year: 2016{{cite web | url=https://corporate.televisaunivision.com/press/2016/12/18/premios-univision-deportes-recognizes-the-years-top-athletes-teams-achievements-and-social-impact-through-sports/ | title="Premios Univision Deportes" Recognizes the Year's Top Athletes, Teams, Achievements and Social Impact Through Sports | date=19 December 2016 }}

• List of footballers with 100 or more caps

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://archive.today/20150804063301/http://www.giovanidossantosoficial.com/}}
• {{MLS player|giovani-dos-santos}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{Olympics.com|giovani-dos-santos}}
• {{Olympedia}}
• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Mexico squads

| bg = #016549

| fg = White

| bordercolor = #CE1126

| list1 =

{{Mexico squad 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2011 Copa América}}

{{Mexico men's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}

{{Mexico squad 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Mexico squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}

}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| bg = gold

| fg = navy

| list1 =

{{2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}

{{CONCACAF Gold Cup awards}}

{{2016 MLS Best XI}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Santos, Giovani dos}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Mexican people of Brazilian descent

Category:Footballers from Monterrey

Category:Footballers from Nuevo León

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic players

Category:FC Barcelona players

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:Galatasaray S.K. footballers

Category:Racing de Santander players

Category:RCD Mallorca players

Category:Villarreal CF players

Category:LA Galaxy players

Category:Club América footballers

Category:Segunda División B players

Category:La Liga players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Süper Lig players

Category:Major League Soccer players

Category:Designated Players (MLS)

Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars

Category:Liga MX players

Category:Mexico men's youth international footballers

Category:Mexico men's under-20 international footballers

Category:Olympic footballers for Mexico

Category:Mexico men's international footballers

Category:2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players

Category:2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:2011 Copa América players

Category:Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:2013 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players

Category:2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:2017 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players

Category:CONCACAF Gold Cup–winning players

Category:Olympic gold medalists for Mexico

Category:Olympic medalists in football

Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:Mexican expatriate men's footballers

Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Turkey

Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:Mexican men's footballers

Category:21st-century Mexican sportsmen