Profiles: Brazil and Spain finalists at 2003 Fifa World Youth Championships

Gary Meenaghan explores what became of the players from finalists Spain and Brazil at the 2003 Fifa World Youth Championships hosted in the UAE.

The 2003 Fifa World Youth Championship winning Brazilian side, shown after their final victory over Spain in Abu Dhabi. Karim Jaafar / AFP / December 19, 2003
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Gary Meenaghan examines where the players who starred for finalists Brazil and Spain at the 2003 Fifa World Youth Championships ended up.

Brazil

– Jefferson: Botafogo goalkeeper. Back-up to Julio Cesar at last summer’s senior World Cup.

– Daniel Alves: Barcelona full-back. Back-up to Maicon at 2010 World Cup; first choice in 2014.

– Alcides: Joined Chelsea in 2004, but never played. Loaned to Benfica and PSV Eindhoven. Uncapped.

– Adailton: Spells in Brazil, France, Uruguay, Switzerland and China. Now at Chicago Fire. Uncapped.

– Daniel Carvalho: Botafogo winger. Once loaned to Qatar’s Al Arabi from CKSA Moscow. Three senior caps.

– Dudu: Career has taken him to Japan, France, Russia, Greece and Israel. Won 2004 Copa America.

– Juninho: Spent a year in South Korea, but recently won Brazil’s Serie D with Clube do Remo. Uncapped.

– Nilmar: Spent time at Lyon, Villarreal and in Qatar. Nine goals in 23 games for Brazil’s first team.

– Jardel: Switching between Brazil and Portugal, Jardel now plays for Santo Andre in Sao Paulo. Uncapped.

– Kleber: Gremio striker left Brazil for Dynamo Kiev in 2003 and stayed five years. Uncapped.

– Adriano: Similar to Alves, the full-back joined Barcelona from Sevilla. Capped 17 times.

Subs used

– Dagoberto: Cruzeiro forward enjoyed fruitful spells at Atletico Paranaense, Sao Paulo and Internacional. Uncapped.

– Fernandinho: Midfielder joined Manchester City from Shakhtar in 2013. Played at 2014 World Cup.

– Andrezinho: Played at Inter and Botafogo, but shone most with Pohang Steelers. Now in China. Uncapped.

Spain

– Asier Riesgo: Played with Real Sociedad for eight years before joining Osasuna in 2010. Uncapped

– Carlos Pena: Left-back moved from Albacete to Recreativo and now Valladolid. Uncapped.

– Carlos Garcia: Spent seven years at Almeria, but now playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Uncapped.

– Melli: Journeyman has played in Belgium, Transnistria, Greece and now Azerbaijan. Uncapped.

– Vitolo: Returned to Tenerife last year after five years in Greece and Turkey. Uncapped.

– Andres Iniesta: Barcelona captain. Scored winning goal in 2010 World Cup final.

– Sergio Garcia: Forward whose career includes Barcelona, Zaragoza, Betis and Espanyol. Two caps.

– Iago Bouzon: Cordoba defender who has played at AC Omonia, Xerez, Recreativo and Celta. Uncapped.

– Gabi: Atletico Madrid captain. Assisted the goal that won his team the league last year. Uncapped.

– Juanfran: Started at Real Madrid, but joined Atletico from Osasuna in 2011. Capped 13 times.

– Jorge Pina Roldan: Thirteen teams in 13 years, including clubs in Norway and Greece. Uncapped.

Subs Used

– Manu del Moral: Decent at Getafe, but has struggled at Sevilla. Capped once.

– Jaime Gavilan: Left Valencia for Getafe and remained for six years. Now in Greece. Uncapped.

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