Fred

COP11 · September 21, 2013

Frederico Chaves Guedes, better known by his nickname Fred (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈfʁɛd(ʒ)i]; born in Teofilo Otoni), is a Brazilian footballer who plays as astriker for Brazilian side Fluminense and the Brazil national team. Fred scored the fastest goal in professional football history while playing for América Mineiro, against Vila Nova during a Copa São Paulo de Juniores match. The goal was scored 3.17 seconds after the match started.

Fred spent four seasons at América-MG, before he left for city rival Cruzeiro in mid of 2004 season. As Feyenoord had an agreement with América, the Dutch club got Magrão from Cruzeiro,and retained 10% economic rights on Fred, and Fred himself held 15%.

After scoring 41 goals in 43 games for Cruzeiro in 2005 season, Fred was signed by defending Ligue 1 champions Lyon for €15 million. (which €3million of them was received by Fred, 5% as solidarity contribution, €1.4M to Lyon's agent and €510,913 as Brazil tax). Feyenoord then claimed Cruzeiro 10% of the transfer fee, as the club alleged the fee was €1.5 million instead of €933,908.70 in Cruzeiro viewpoint.^[2] The Dutch club sued to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and won.

Lyon

Fred was the second highest goal scorer in 2005–06 Ligue 1 season, and won his first crown with Lyon. Although he missed two months in 2006–07 season,Fred still scored 11 goals in 20 games, became the team top scorer of the champions. But in 2007–08 season, Fred was injured during the training section of Copa América 2007. Fred made his come back in October 2007, but with the competition of thenew signing of Milan Baroš and youth product Karim Benzema, Fred had limited first team opportunities.

Fred played 15 games out of possible 20 for Lyon in 2008–09 season. He played the last match for Lyon on 10 January 2009 after he requested to leave the club in December 2008. On 26 February 2009 he was released from his contract with the French club.

Fluminense

After being released from Lyon and refusing to return from Brazil, Fred signed a pre-contract with Brazilian club Fluminense, and consequently agreed to a five-year deal. He scored twice on his debut on 15 March 2009, as Fluminense beat Macaé 3–1. Later in July 2011, he went on to break the record for most goals in Brasileiro when he score a brace against Esporte Clube Bahia taking his tally to 44 goals. He broke a record previously held by Magno Alves. On 11 November 2012, Fred scored 2 goals in a 3–2 win over Palmeiras clinching the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A for Fluminense.

Fred made his debut on 27 April 2005 as a late substitute in a friendly match against Guatemala

Fred scored his first goal on 12 November 2005 in a friendly match against United Arab Emirates. He went on to score 2 goals as Brazil won 8–0. Although he didn't play in any qualifying match, Fred was named in the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad as a striker. His first World Cup goal was the second in a 2–0 victory againstAustralia on 18 June 2006, when he tapped in a shot from Robinho which had rebounded off the inside of Mark Schwarzer's near post in the 90th minute. He also scored a last gasp equaliser against Paraguay in the Copa América. It was a 2–2 draw. He was recalled to the international side in early 2013 by returning manager,Luiz Felipe Scolari, scoring in an international friendly game against England that February. He then went on to score for Brazil on 2 June 2013 the first MaracanãStadium goal after its renovation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 22 June 2013, Fred scored twice against Italy in the 2013 Confederations Cup in a 2–4 win. On June 26, 2013, he scored a goal against Uruguay.Fred capped his successful Confederations Cup campaign by scoring twice against Spain in the competition's final to help Brazil to a 3–0 victory. He was the joint top scorer of the tournament with 5 goals. Fred was honored with the trophy Silver Shoe.