Lucio

50 Top Soccer Player their trade today, based on a combination of current form, potential and overall ability.  Ranking  determined by a panel of contributors to ESPN's soccer.

Lucio    Rank Player 35 Lucio

Profile
Birth name                 Lucimar Ferreira da Silva
Birth date                  May 8, 1978
Birth place                 Brasília, Brazil
Height                       1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position          Centre back/Defender
National team             Brazil
Current club               Internazionale
Number                     6

Biography
Lucimar Ferreira da Silva  commonly known as Lúcio, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian footballer who plays for Italian Serie A club Internazionale and the Brazil national team. He is a strong defender with good aerial play, who adds presence in the attack.  Lúcio began his professional career in 1997, in one of Brazil's larger clubs, Sport Club Internacional. After three years in the club, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he reached the 2002 Champions League final against Real Madrid of Spain. He scored a header in the final, which Real Madrid won with the score of 2–1.

In 2004, he arrived at Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesligas and one German Cup title. Since coach Louis van Gaal did not have a place for him at Bayern, he decided to search for a new team. He moved to Inter in the summer of 2009, and helped Inter win the 2010 Champions League against his former club Bayern Munich. With Brazil, Lúcio has accumulated a number of significant accomplishments, winning 2002 World Cup, and the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Scouting thumbnail
Elegant defender has cut down on concentration lapses over the years and is a huge threat on set pieces. Composed on the ball and capable of carrying it through the midfield.