Mancini (Brazilian footballer)

Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐlɨˈsɐ̃dɾu faˈjɔʎi ɐmɐ̃ˈtʃinu]) (born 1 August 1980 in Ipatinga, Brazil), more commonly known as Mancini ([mɐ̃ˈsinʲi]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer, who played as a winger.

During his prime with Italian club A.S. Roma, Mancini was famed for his dribbling skills and use of feints, especially his step-overs. His favoured position was as right or left winger, although he was also capable of playing as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder. At international level, he made nine appearances for Brazil between 2004 and 2008, and was a member of the squad that won the 2004 Copa América.

Club career

Early career

Regarded as a promising talent, Mancini began his career in his homeland of Brazil with his hometown club, Atlético Mineiro, where he remained from 1999 to 2002. During that time he had two loan spells, at Portuguesa and at São Caetano in 2001.

Venezia

He was signed by Serie B side AC Venezia in January 2003. During that time he struggled to adapt to Italian football, and was criticised by the Venezia manager for his errors, and for his habit of controlling the ball with the outside of his foot, which in Italy is considered unconventional.

Mancini only made 13 appearances for Venezia that season. In the summer of 2003 he was signed by A.S. Roma for nominal fees totalling €1,000. ^[1]

Roma

Having lost Cafu, Roma needed a replacement at right-back, but with his early performances in Italy being far from convincing, many Roma fans were sceptical about his ability. However, their then-manager Fabio Capello gave the Brazilian a chance, and Mancini went on to complete consistent first season in Serie A, the highlight being a backheel flick from a set piece in the Derby della Capitale against S.S. Lazio.^[2]

In the 2005–06 season, Mancini began to find his top form, once again becoming a key player for the Roma side. Following the Calciopoli scandal, Roma qualified for the UEFA Champions League, giving Mancini the chance to play at the highest level of club football.

In the last 16 of the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League, Mancini scored a goal against Lyon after beating their defender Anthony Réveillère with several stepovers before firing the ball high into the net. That same year, Mancini also celebrated his first silverware since arriving in Italy as Roma won the Coppa Italia, beating Internazionale in the final.

In the 2007–08 season, Mancini scored eight league goals as Roma reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and finished as runners-up in Serie A for the second year running. He did not have the best of seasons though, in what would prove to be his last in Rome.

Internazionale

After the appointment of José Mourinho, Mancini was signed by Internazionale for €13 million,^[3] along with Ricardo Quaresma and Sulley Muntari in his maiden season. (Although Mancini was a long desired target of Massimo Moratti and ex-coach Roberto Mancini). However, he failed to become a first team regular due to his lack of consistency.

Milan

Mancini playing for Milan in 2010.

On 1 February 2010, he moved to city rivals A.C. Milan, on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season, with an option for them to acquire half of the player's rights at the end of the loan spell.^[4] He made his debut for Milan in a scoreless draw against Bologna.

Atlético Mineiro

He returned to Atlético Mineiro on 5 January 2011, signing a three-year contract.^[5]

Bahia

In June 2012, Mancini joined Esporte Clube Bahia. He played for the team until the end of the year.

Villa Nova

After spending 2013 unsigned with any team, in January 2014 Mancini signed with Villa Nova for their Minas Gerais state league campaign. He scored seven goals, making him the top-scorer of the league.

América Mineiro

At the end of the state league season, Mancini signed a contract with Série B team América until December 2014.

Return to Villa Nova

In January 2016, the Villa Nova-MG agreed to hire Mancini for the next season.^[6]

Personal life

His nickname, Mancini, is a diminutive form of Manso (which means calm in Portuguese),^[7] His composite surname (composite of father and mother, however Spanish and Portuguese culture had difference order) is Faiolhe Amantino, which the former is the misspelling of Faioli. He also holds Italian nationality through descent, via his great-grandmother Genoveffa from Veneto.^[8]

2011 rape conviction

He was under investigation in 2011 for rape accused by a Brazilian woman, which happened in December 2010 after a party held by Ronaldinho.^[9] On 28 November 2011, he was jailed for 2 years and 8 months after being found guilty of rape by the court of Milan.^[10]

Career statistics

As of 23 May 2010

Above table not include statics in Campeonato Mineiro and Campeonato Paulista.
¹Include 1 match and 1 goal at 2006 Supercoppa Italiana
²Include 1 match at 2008 Supercoppa Italiana

International appearances

As of 1 April 2008.^{[11][12][13][14]}

National team Club Season Apps Goals Brazil Roma 2003–2004 3 0 2004–2005 0 0 2005–2006 0 0 2006–2007 3 0 2007–2008 3 0 Total 9 0

International appearances and goals # Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition 1999 14 November 1999 Sydney, Australia  Australia 2–0 0 Friendly 17 November 1999 Melbourne, Australia  San Marino 2–2 0 Friendly 10 December 1999 Cuiabá, Brazil  Bolivia 3–0 0 Friendly 14 December 1999 Campo Grande, Brazil  Paraguay 3–3 0 Friendly 2000 12 January 2000 Florianópolis, Brazil  Trinidad and Tobago 7–0 0 Friendly 15 January 2000 Maringá, Brazil  Costa Rica 4–1 0 Friendly 19 January 2000 Londrina, Brazil  Chile 1–1 0 2000 Olympic Games qualifying tournament 23 January 2000 Londrina, Brazil  Ecuador 2–0 0 2000 Olympic Games qualifying tournament 30 January 2000 Londrina, Brazil  Colombia 9–0 0 2000 Olympic Games qualifying tournament 2003–2004 1. 28 April 2004 Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 4–1 0 Friendly 2. 8 July 2004 Arequipa, Peru  Chile 1–0 0 Copa América 2004 3. 11 July 2004 Arequipa, Peru  Costa Rica 4–1 0 Copa América 2004 2006–2007 4. 24 March 2007 Gothenburg, Sweden  Chile 4–0 0 Friendly 5. 27 March 2007 Stockholm, Sweden  Ghana 1–0 0 Friendly 6. 1 June 2007 London, England  England 1–1 0 Friendly 2007–2008 7. 31 May 2008 Seattle, Canada  Canada 3–2 0 Friendly 8. 6 June 2008 Boston, USA  Venezuela 0-2 0 Friendly 9. 18 June 2008 Belo Horizonte, Brazil  Argentina 0-0 0 Match qualification copa del Mundo 2010

Honours

Club

Roma

• Coppa Italia: 2007, 2008
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2007

Internazionale

• Serie A: 2008–09
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2008

International

Brazil

• Copa América: 2004

References

External links

• Mancini official football website
• Profile at La Gazzetta dello Sport (2009–10) (in Italian)
• Profile at Futpedia.Globo.com (in Portuguese)
• Profile at AIC.Football.it (in Italian)
• Mancini at Soccerway
• Profile at Worldfootball