The streets of north London will always remember Julio Baptista.
The former Brazil striker begrudgingly joined Arsenal on mortgage from Real Madrid in 2006 and struggled for scoring kind all through his keep on the Emirates. He did, nonetheless, etch his identify within the Gunners historical past books when he put 4 previous Liverpool in a record-breaking League Cup quarter-final show.
Nicknamed ‘The Beast’ for his bulked-up body and imposing presence, the previous Sevilla and Roma star performed for one more decade earlier than hanging up his boots at CFR Cluj in 2019. And whereas his Arsenal keep might not have gone fully to plan for Arsene Wenger, the pair will at all times have that one night time at Anfield.
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It’s unimaginable to suppose Baptista, 42, might need had 5 on Merseyside in January 2007, however a miss from the penalty spot restricted him to a measly quad. The South American additionally missed from 12 yards towards Bolton and Portsmouth throughout his sole season at Arsenal, the place he averaged a scuffed spot-kick each 11 video games or so.
After retiring in Romania, the Sao Paulo-born star swiftly transformed to administration and picked up a job as youth coach at Real Valladolid, which is owned by former Brazil and Real team-mate Ronaldo. From there, he was promoted to managing the membership’s reserves in 2021 – however even his friendship with the higher-ups could not maintain him in a job long-term.
Who is Arsenal’s biggest South American import of all time? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: Getty Images)
Baptista was sacked from his function in November 2023 and penned a heartfelt farewell on Instagram, the place he wrote: “I wish the best to this club, to this city and to its fans and that it will soon be in the place where it deserves to be a large and historic club like Real Valladolid, and that the young Promesas [the reserve team’s nickname] continue to be cared for and empowered.”
It’s lucky the veteran has a powerful assist community at residence, which he seems to be having fun with since turning into a free agent as soon as extra. The Beast married a magnificence in Spanish mannequin Silvia Nistal, whom he married on the Vatican in 2010 and now shares two kids with (one daughter and one son).
(Image: Getty Images)
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It stays to be seen whether or not Brazilian brute has plans to rejoin the world of teaching after turning into essential of Valladolid within the days main as much as his dismissal. However, there’s at the least one floor on English soil he’ll at all times be welcome – and it isn’t Anfield.