Marquinhos (footballer, born April 1982)

Marcos Antônio Malachias Júnior (Bulgarian: Маркос Антонио Малашиас Жуниор; born 30 April 1982), commonly known as Marquinhos, is a retired footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Brazil, he represented the Bulgaria national team.

Marquinhos
Marquinhos with CSKA Sofia in 2010
Personal information
Full nameMarcos Antônio Malachias Junior
Date of birth (1982-04-30) 30 April 1982 (age 42)[1]
Place of birthCampinas, Brazil
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)Midfielder
Youth career
Guaçuano
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2004–2006Guaçuano
2006–2007Belasitsa Petrich41(17)
2007–2011CSKA Sofia91(16)
2011–2012Anorthosis Famagusta27(3)
2012Changchun Yatai12(3)
2013–2014Lokomotiv Sofia42(17)
2014–2015CSKA Sofia24(3)
2015–2016Pirin Blagoevgrad31(2)
2016Montana15(1)
2017Cascavel5(2)
2018Caldense6(0)
Total294(64)
International career
2011–2014Bulgaria6(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:17, 7 April 2018 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Campinas, Marquinhos started his career at Guaçuano in 2004.[2] In February 2006 he signed with Bulgarian club Belasitsa Petrich from Guaçuano.[3] He made his debut for the club on 4 March 2006 in an A PFG match against Naftex Burgas.[4] Marquinhos made 13 league appearances to the end of the season, scoring five goals, helping the club avoid relegation. In the following 2006–07 season he finished the league campaign with 12 goals in 28 appearances.

On 28 May 2007, Marquinhos moved to CSKA Sofia. The deal was reported to be worth around €150,000.[5] Marquinhos's competitive debut for the club came in CSKA's opening match at away to Litex Lovech on 11 August.[6] On 8 March 2008, Marquinhos scored his first CSKA goal in a 3–1 away win over his previously club Belasitsa.

He scored the equalizing goal in the 1–1 away draw against Derry City on 6 August 2009 to enable his team to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Europa League. He suffered an injury in December 2009, which took him out of play for a couple of months.

On 4 November 2010, Marquinhos scored the winning goal against Rapid Wien in a 2–1 away victory of Europa League group stage.[7] On 25 May 2011, he assisted Spas Delev in a 1–0 win over Slavia Sofia in the final of Bulgarian Cup.[8]

Marquinhos announced retirement on 16 December 2016 after leaving Montana and would start studying in NSA and focus on manager career.[9]

However, in March 2017 he joined the amateur Brazilian club Cascavel. On 9 January 2018 Maquinhos returned again from retirement to play for the Brazilian club Caldense in Campeonato Mineiro.[10][11]

International career

On 27 May 2011, Marquinhos was named to Bulgaria's squad for the friendly game against Corsica and Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, just days after receiving citizenship from his adopted country.[12] He debuted in an unofficial match against Corsica on 31 May appearing as a substitute for the second half.[13] His official debut came on 4 June against Montenegro; Marquinhos was booked in the 54th minute and the match was drawn 1–1.

Career statistics

Club

As of 15 December 2016

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueCupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Belasitsa Petrich2005–06A Group13500135
2006–072812102912
Total411710004217
CSKA Sofia2007–08A Group2511030291
2008–0925233285
2009–101340071205
2010–11289511034313
Total91169420412024
Anorthosis Famagusta2011–12First Division2734010323
Changchun Yatai2012Super League12300123
Lokomotiv Sofia2012–13A Group8120101
2013–143416614017
Total421781005018
CSKA Sofia2014–15A Group2431020273
Pirin Blagoevgrad2015–16A Group31210322
Montana2016First Professional League15110161
Career totals2836225523433171

International

Bulgaria national team
YearAppsGoals
201130
201210
201310
201410
Total60

Honours

Club

CSKA Sofia

References