Rodrigo Possebon
{{short description|Brazilian-born Italian footballer (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Portuguese name|Pereira|Possebon}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rodrigo Possebon
| image =
| fullname = Rodrigo Pereira Possebon
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sapucaia do Sul, Brazil
| height = {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| currentclub = Athletico Paranaense (director of football)
| position = Central midfielder
| youthyears1 = 2006–2008
| youthclubs1 = Internacional
| years1 = 2008–2010
| clubs1 = Manchester United
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009–2010
| clubs2 = → Braga (loan)
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2011
| clubs3 = Santos
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2012
| clubs4 = Vicenza
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012
| clubs5 = Criciúma
| caps5 = 9
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2013
| clubs6 = Mirassol
| caps6 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2013
| clubs7 = Juventude
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = Náutico
| caps8 = 7
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2016
| clubs9 = URT
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2017
| clubs10 = Passo Fundo
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2018
| clubs11 = Athletico Sports Club
| caps11 = 0
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2018
| clubs12 = Ho Chi Minh City
| caps12 = 0
| goals12 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009
| nationalteam1 = Italy U20
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| pcupdate = 14:30, 15 April 2018 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 19:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)[http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=3410&squadra=11 FIGC National Team Stats. Archive]
}}
Rodrigo Pereira Possebon (born 13 February 1989) is a professional football executive and former player who played as a midfielder. He is the current director of football of Athletico Paranaense.
A box-to-box midfielder, as a youth, he played for Internacional in Brazil. He was spotted and signed by Manchester United in 2008. After two unsuccessful years with Manchester United which saw him only making 3 league appearances, he went on loan to Braga of Portugal for the first half of the 2009–10 season. He has since joined various clubs before joining Hồ Chí Minh City in 2018. Due to his ancestry, he was chosen to play for the Italy under-20s, playing one match for them in 2009.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Sapucaia do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Possebon began his football career playing for Internacional in a defensive midfield role. Possebon was spotted by Manchester United's Brazil-based scout, John Calvert-Toulmin, while following up the club's interest in twin full backs, Fabio and Rafael da Silva.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Mathieson |title=Reds rock to Samba beat |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1065020_reds_rock_to_samba_beat |work=Manchester Evening News |publisher=M.E.N. media |date=2 September 2008 |access-date=13 November 2008 }}
=Manchester United=
Manchester United signed Possebon in January 2008, and since his father is of Italian descent, Possebon qualified for an Italian passport, and so was not subject to European Union legislation regarding non-Europeans working in Europe.{{cite news |first=Gemma |last=Thompson |title=High hopes for Possebon |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=530597 |publisher=ManUtd.com |date=7 February 2008 |access-date=7 February 2008 }} Possebon was allocated the number 34 shirt, which was vacated by Ryan Shawcross, for the remainder of the 2007–08 Premier League season.{{cite news |title=Possebon given squad number |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=529733 |date=6 February 2008 |access-date=6 February 2008 |publisher=ManUtd.com }} He made his professional debut for the club as a substitute, coming on for Ryan Giggs during the second half of the 1–1 draw with Newcastle United on 17 August.{{cite news |title=Man Utd 1–1 Newcastle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7551173.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2008 |access-date=17 August 2008 }}
On 23 September 2008, during a Football League Cup match, he was injured in a challenge by Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz, for which the Austrian player received a straight red card.{{cite news |title=United win marred by serious injury |url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/09/23/Carling-Cup-Man-United-v-Middlesbrough/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/ |publisher=Setanta Sports |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=23 September 2008 }} It was initially feared that he had broken his leg, but Manchester United later confirmed otherwise.{{cite news |title=Good news for Possebon |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6619054 |publisher=Manchester United |date=24 September 2008 |access-date=24 September 2008 }} Possebon made his return from injury on 22 October 2008, scoring in the Manchester United Reserves' 3–0 win over Manchester City.{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Bartram |title=Reserves: City 0 United 3 |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6621022 |publisher=Manchester United |date=22 October 2008 |access-date=23 October 2008 }}
Possebon made his FA Cup debut on 13 February 2009, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a Fifth Round fixture with Derby County.{{cite news |title=Derby 1–4 Man Utd |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7872213.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=22 May 2010 }} On 1 March 2009, Possebon won his second trophy in English football after he was part of the Manchester United squad that beat Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 on penalties after the 2009 League Cup final finished goalless.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=22 May 2010 }} He had previously been part of the team that captured the 2008 FA Community Shield.
Possebon joined Braga on loan, initially for the entire duration of the 2009–10 season.{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Bartram |title=Possebon heads out on loan |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6635613 |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=2 July 2009 |access-date=2 July 2009 }} However, after falling out of favour, he returned to Old Trafford in January, after making just one appearance for the club.{{cite news |first=Stewart |last=Gardener |title=Today at Old Trafford |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6644674&page=3 |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=18 January 2010 |access-date=19 January 2010 }}
=Santos=
On 19 August 2010, Santos announced that they had agreed terms with Possebon for his transfer from Manchester United. The two teams were still negotiating the fee for the transfer, but an announcement by Manchester United indicated that the transfer would be completed by the following day.{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Coppack |title=Santos to sign Possebon |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6651518 |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=20 August 2010 }}
Possebon made his Santos debut in an away draw against Atlético Mineiro.[http://www.santistaroxo.com.br/2.0/2010/11/atleticomg-2x2-santos-com-dois-gols-de-neymar-o-peixe-arranca-o-empate-contra-o-galo-em-minas/ Atlético-MG 2x2 Santos]
=Later career=
After leaving Santos, Possebon had unsuccessful spells with five different clubs in two years before taking a further two years out of the game. He followed his departure from Santos with a short spell with Italian club Vicenza, he didn't make an appearance before returning to Brazil to join Criciúma where he made 9 appearances. After a stint with Mirassol, Possebon joined Juventude and made just 7 appearances for the team before leaving. Before his break from football, he played seven times for Náutico in 2014.{{cite news|title=Rodrigo Possebon profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rodrigo-pereira-possebon/20763/|access-date=26 April 2016|work=Soccerway|date=26 April 2016}} In 2016, two years later, Possebon officially signed for URT.{{cite news|title=Mineiro: URT contrata Rodrigo Possebon, ex-Santos e Manchester United|url=http://www.futebolinterior.com.br/futebol/Santos-SP/noticias/2015-10/URT-contrata-Rodrigo-Possebon-ex-Santos-e-Manchester-United|language=Portuguese|access-date=26 April 2016|work=futebolinterior.com|date=29 October 2015}} He made his debut on 14 February in a 2–1 away win against Boa in the 2016 Campeonato Mineiro. He went on to make 7 appearances in total for URT in the Campeonato Mineiro as his side qualified for the semi-finals before being eliminated by Atlético Mineiro.{{cite news|title=Campeonato Mineiro 2016|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/brazil/mineiro-1/2016/regular-season/r33740/|access-date=26 April 2016|work=Soccerway|date=26 April 2016}}
In 2017, Possebon joined Passo Fundo. He played eight times for the club during the 2017 Campeonato Gaúcho as they were relegated down to Série A2. On 7 January 2018, Possebon signed a contract with Hồ Chí Minh City in Vietnam.{{cite news |title=Ex-Manchester United midfielder Rodrigo Possebon moves to Vietnam |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3339846/ex-manchester-united-midfielder-rodrigo-possebon-moves-to-vietnam |publisher=ESPN |date=7 January 2018 |access-date=15 April 2018 }} He was released a month later, on 22 February 2018, before the league season started after failing to impress.{{Cite web | title = Ho Chi Minh City FC parts ways with former Man Utd player | first = Tuan | last= Son | work = Tuoi Tre News | date = 22 February 2018 | access-date = 8 June 2018 | url = https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20180222/ho-chi-minh-city-fc-parts-ways-with-former-man-utd-player/44198.html}}
International career
Although he was born in Brazil, Possebon was eligible for an Italian passport due to his father's ancestry. He applied for an Italian passport when signing for Manchester United, in order to avoid work permit legislation for non-EU citizens working in the United Kingdom. Following a relatively successful first season with Manchester United, Possebon received a call-up from Italy under-20 coach Francesco Rocca for the penultimate match of the 2008–09 Four Nations tournament against Germany on 22 April 2009.{{cite news |title="Four Nations": test against Germany in light of World Cup in Egypt |url=http://www.figc.it/en/204/20917/2009/04/News.shtml |work=figc.it |publisher=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio |date=20 April 2009 |access-date=21 April 2009 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{Soccerway|20763|access-date=20 February 2025}} | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|State League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, Copa do Brasil, Coppa Italia}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes League Cup, Taça da Liga}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Manchester United
|2008-09{{Soccerbase|49555|access-date=20 February 2025}} |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2009-10
|Premier League |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Braga (loan)
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name="UEL"|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Santos
|2010 |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2011
|Série A |8 | 0 | 17{{efn|name="PA1"|Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name="COS"|Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!11 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | ||
| Vicenza
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Criciúma
|2012 |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| Mirassol
|2013 |colspan="3"|— | 4{{efn|name="PA1"}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||||||
| Juventude
|2013 |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | |||||
| Náutico
|2014 |Série B |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name="CDN"|Appearance(s) in Copa do Nordeste}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||
| URT
|2016 |Série D |0 | 0 | 7{{efn|name="MI1"|Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | |||||
| Passo Fundo
|2017 |colspan="3"|— | 8{{efn|name="GA1"|Appearance(s) in Campeonato Gaúcho}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | ||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!32 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 84 | 2 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Internacional
- Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20: 2006{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
Manchester United
- Football League Cup: 2008–09{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |title=Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=25 March 2024}}
- FA Community Shield: 2008{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
Santos
- Campeonato Paulista: 2011{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
- Copa Libertadores: 2011{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Possebon, Rodrigo}}
Category:Footballers from Rio Grande do Sul
Category:Brazilian people of Italian descent
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italy men's youth international footballers
Category:Brazilian men's footballers
Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:SC Internacional players
Category:Manchester United F.C. players
Category:Criciúma Esporte Clube players
Category:Mirassol Futebol Clube players
Category:Esporte Clube Juventude players
Category:Clube Náutico Capibaribe players
Category:União Recreativa dos Trabalhadores players
Category:Esporte Clube Passo Fundo players
Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:People from Sapucaia do Sul
Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen
Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen