Player Profile: Moretto

By: Carlos | December 19th, 2008

Moretto #31

Club Team

Marcelo Moretto de Souza, Moretto was born on May 10, 1978 (age 30) in El Dorado, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. His early soccer career consisted of playing for Brazilian sides such as São José Esporte Clube, Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, Londrina Esporte Clube, Sport Recife and Brasiliense Futebol Clube.
In 2003, he came to Portugal to try his luck:
– joined Salgueiros, however they were facing a financial crisis at that time and as a result were relegated and lost all their pro players
– He was forced to look for another club and joined FC Felgueiras where he caught the attention of other clubs.
– Jan. 2005, ended up at Setubal (in the top flight) to replace Ricardo Batista (who had signed for the English Premier League team Fulham F.C.) after signing a two-and-a-half year contract. Performed very well and won the Portuguese Cup after beating – soon to be player of – Benfica.
– Season 2005-06, Moretto ended up being the number one goalkeeper of all European leagues, with the less number of goals conceded per minute played.
– Winter of 2005, Moretto was given offers by both Porto and Benfica. He chose Benfica where he signed a 5 and a half year contract at a transfer cost of 1 million.
– 2005-06 was his best season at Benfica. Moretto played on 18 occasions in the league, once in the cup and 4 times in the Champions League, against reigning european champions Liverpool FC (conceding no goals), and FC Barcelona, where he stopped Ronaldinho’s penalty.
– 2007, joined AEK Athens on loan. Returned to SLB for 08-09 season.

National Team

Status Update

Moretto is Benfica’s third choice keeper. This season he has played one game as a starter which was last week in the Portuguese Cup agaisnt Leixoes. They lost in penalties 5-4 after regulation time ended 0-0. Moretto rarely appears for Benfica now-a-days but is still a very good keeper.

Did You Know?

Moretto stopped Ronaldinho’s penalty shot when Benfica played Barcelona in the 2005-06 Champions League Quarter Finals. Eventually Barcelona won 2-0 but easily could have been eliminated by Benfica.