Marcos Magno Morales Tavares

Tavares
Personal information
Full name Marcos Magno Morales Tavares
Date of birth 30 March 1984 (1984-03-30) (age 27)
Place of birth Porto Alegre, Brazil
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Maribor
Number 9
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Kedah FA
2003–2004 Atletico Paranaense
2004–2006 Kedah FA ? (25)
2006–2007 Porto Alegre ? (?)
2007–2008 APOEL 4 (0)
2008– Maribor 132 (51)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 December 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Marcos Magno Morales Tavares (born in Brazil) is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for NK Maribor. He also played for Brazilian youth national teams.

His first steps were, as in most cases in Brazil, made on the streets. Before starting a professional career he went through youth football selections of Gremio and Internationale. In desire for quick implementation he went to Malaysia. In the season 2002-2003, he played for Kedah FA. When the season ended Tavares returned to Brazil for a year, where he played for Clube Atlético Paranaense. After that he once more continued his career in Malaysia and won the league title with Kedah FA. He was also top team scorer with 25 goals.

After a year and a half with Kedah FA he was noticed by Roberto de Assis Moreira who took him to Porto Alegre Futebol Clube. He scored few goals though, competition there was simply too big and too quality. On the other hand Malaysian league was still far away from general publics eyes, so he decided to continue his career in Europe. Assis helped him find a suitable club and in 2007 Tavares signed for APOEL. Soon after arrival he scored some goals in Cypriot Cup matches, but in the championship he only played 4 matches without scoring any goals. Because he didn't performed as the club expected, Tavares was released from APOEL on January 2008.

At time he spent on Cyprus he met Nilton Fernandes who introduced him to Zlatko Zahovič, the manager of the Slovenian football team NK Maribor. New Slovenian season was coming up quickly and Tavares had only one chance to show himself to Zlatko Zahovič and to convince him. After his performance contract was signed quickly.

At the time that was left till the end of the season 2007–2008, Brazilian striker established himself well in the team and among the fans. In the next season he was entitled Slovenian champion with NK Maribor. Beside that he was the first club and second league striker in Slovenian league. He scored 15 goals and because of his incredible technical skills and qualities such as discipline he was declared the best player in Slovenian PrvaLiga for the 2008–2009 season. He was also voted for Guest Star 2008, which purpose is to promote foreign public as the important element of Slovenian community. 2009–2010 season was again very successful for him. He scored 10 goals in 34 league matches and collected 7 assists. In addition to this achievement he scored 5 goals in 5 cup matches and ultimately won the 2009–10 Slovenian Cup. Because of his loyalty to the club and good relations with fellow players, club officials and NK Maribor fans Tavares became the team's captain in Oktober 2009.

In September 2010 he has signed a new contract with the club until the end of 2012–13 season.[1] He had his best season in 2010–11 when he won the league with Maribor and was crowned best league goalscorer with 16 goals.[2] In addition, he was the club's best assistant with 15 assists.[3] For his performances during the course of the same season he was voted as the most valuable player by the 1.SNL players[4] and the media.[5]

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