Home Sports Disgraced Barcelona icon behind bars, Ballon d’Or winner enjoys retirement… and a cameo appearance on Turkish TV show: What happened to Brazil stars who faced England in the first game at the new Wembley in 2007?

Disgraced Barcelona icon behind bars, Ballon d’Or winner enjoys retirement… and a cameo appearance on Turkish TV show: What happened to Brazil stars who faced England in the first game at the new Wembley in 2007?

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England's David Beckham closely watches Brazil's Ronaldinho during the 2007 friendly match.

England face Brazil in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday evening as Gareth Southgate finalizes his preparations for Euro 2024 this summer.

This glamorous match will recall the memorable meeting between the two teams in 2007, the first international match played at the new Wembley Stadium.

Substitute Ribas Diego headed an equalizer for Brazil in the dying seconds to deny England victory.

The home team took the lead with David Beckham free kick for the captain John Terry to power a header past Brazilian goalkeeper Helton in the 68th minute.

Here we look at what happened to the Brazilian stars who faced England that evening.

England's David Beckham closely watches Brazil's Ronaldinho during the 2007 friendly match.

England’s David Beckham closely watches Brazil’s Ronaldinho during the 2007 friendly match.

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Brazil (4-4-2)

Helton

After starting out at Vasco da Gama, he continued his professional career in Portugal, representing União de Leiria and Porto and winning 18 major titles for the latter club. In 14 seasons, he appeared in 299 Primeira Liga matches. Made only three appearances for Brazil.

Daniel Alves

He joined Barcelona in 2008 where he spent 9 years spread over 2 spells – winning 23 trophies including 6 La Liga titles and 3 Champions Leagues – before joining Juventus in 2016. He also spent time at PSG, Sao Paolo and to Mexican side UNAM – where he played until 2023.

On February 22, 2024, Alves was convicted of rape and sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay €150,000 in damages to the victim. Alves’ lawyer said she would appeal the verdict.

After the sentence, Barcelona removed him from the “Leyend” section. However, the club would reinstate its image on the website a few days later.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was last month sentenced to four years and six months in prison after being found guilty of rape.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was last month sentenced to four years and six months in prison after being found guilty of rape.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was last month sentenced to four years and six months in prison after being found guilty of rape.

At the peak of his career, Alves was considered one of the best right-backs in the world.

At the peak of his career, Alves was considered one of the best right-backs in the world.

He won a total of 41 trophies as a player

He won a total of 41 trophies as a player

At the peak of his career, Alves was considered one of the best right-backs in the world.

Naldo

From 2007 to 2009, the central defender made four appearances for Brazil. Played for Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and Schalke in the Bundesliga.

He is currently an assistant coach at Schalke.

Juan

After starting his career with Flamengo, he spent a decade playing in Europe for Bayer Leverkusen and Roma before returning to Brazil with Internacional in 2012. Juan won 79 caps and scored seven international goals for the Brazil. He represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, three FIFA Confederations Cups and three Copa América tournaments, winning two each of the last two events.

He currently works as technical director of Flamengo.

Gilberto

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Gilberto began his career in his native Brazil, playing for América-RJ, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. He joined Italian club Inter for a season, then played for Hertha Berlin before joining Totteham and becoming the first Brazilian to play for Spurs in the first team.

Ronaldinho

The World Cup winner spent 3 seasons at AC Milan, where he played alongside Kaka and Robinho, before returning to Brazil, where he played for Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense before taking his retirement in 2015.

Ronaldinho went to court in Paraguay over false passport claims, but he was recently taking part in a beach soccer match broadcast on Turkish television.

Ronaldinho rolled back the years with stunning overhead kick on Turkish reality TV

Ronaldinho rolled back the years with stunning overhead kick on Turkish reality TV

Ronaldinho rolled back the years with stunning overhead kick on Turkish reality TV

Mineiro

The defensive midfielder twice won the Brazilian league title before moving to Europe and playing for Hertha before joining Chelsea in 2008.

He made only two appearances for the Blues before joining Schalke the following summer.

Gilberto Silva

The midfielder enjoyed success with Brazilian sides Atlético Mineiro and Arsenal, winning the Premier League in 2004 and collecting two FA Cup winners’ medals.

He is currently an ambassador for Arsenal and FIFA.

Kaka

Winner of the Ballon D’Or that year (2007), he left AC Milan in 2009 for Real Madrid where he spent 4 seasons, before joining AC Milan.

In 2014, he joined Orlando City – where he played for 3 years before retiring in 2017.

Kaka made a surprise appearance during a six-a-side match in Hackney in 2020.

After being tested by a player, Kaka graciously accepted his fate before scoring two goals and providing an assist in the 4-2 victory.

He recently took part in the ‘Match for Hope’ in Qatar alongside Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard, when he was memorably wiped out by a tackle from YouTuber iShowSpeed.

YouTuber iShowSpeed ​​eliminated Brazilian legend Kaka in a recent charity match

YouTuber iShowSpeed ​​eliminated Brazilian legend Kaka in a recent charity match

YouTuber iShowSpeed ​​eliminated Brazilian legend Kaka in a recent charity match

In Reach Out FC's match against Hackney Wick, Kaka collected the ball on the left side.

In Reach Out FC's match against Hackney Wick, Kaka collected the ball on the left side.

Despite a teammate demanding the ball be cut away, Kaka went it alone and scored a superb effort

Despite a teammate demanding the ball be cut away, Kaka went it alone and scored a superb effort

Kaka showed he still has it by scoring a stunning solo goal in a six-a-side match in London.

Vagner Love

The second name, Love, was given to him while he was playing for Palmeiras, as he was known for his playboy lifestyle.

In two spells he won 14 honors with CSKA Moscow, scoring in their 2005 UEFA Cup final victory.

The 39-year-old striker recently signed a one-year deal with recently promoted Serie A side Atlético Goianiense.

Robinho

Joined Man City in 2008 before spending five years at AC Milan.

Former Man City striker Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison after he and five other men were found guilty of sexual assault in 2017.

Former Man City striker Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison after he and five other men were found guilty of sexual assault in 2017.

Former Man City striker Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison after he and five other men were found guilty of sexual assault in 2017.

Brazilian judges will consider whether he should serve his sentence for rape in Brazil

Brazilian judges will consider whether he should serve his sentence for rape in Brazil

Brazilian judges will consider whether he should serve his sentence for rape in Brazil

On November 23, 2017, an Italian court sentenced Robinho to nine years in prison after he and five other men were found guilty of sexual assault, following the January 2013 gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub.

Brazilian judges will consider on Wednesday whether he should serve his rape sentence in Brazil, because Brazil does not extradite its citizens convicted abroad.

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