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1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 22:23, 10 February 2007 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 22:23, 10 February 2007 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Kerlon Moura Souza (born January 27, 1988 in Ipatinga, Brazil) is a Brazilian football player, who currently plays for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. He was the top scorer and best player at the 2005 Venezuela U17 South American Youth Championship.

• 1 Early career
  • 1.1 Transfer
• 2 Awards & Honors
  • 2.1 Personal distinctions
• 3 Footnotes
• 4 External links

He is a center forward known for his ability to flick the ball up onto his head and run with it during matches. It is known as the seal dribble, and is very hard for the defending team to challenge legally. Flicking the ball up from the turf onto his head, Kerlon then proceeds to run past opponents, whilst bouncing the ball on top of his forehead. The speed at which he travels when doing this, coupled with his ability to change direction as he runs with the ball above his head, often makes opponents resort to simply pushing him over and fouling him. He is said to have learned the move from his father, Silvinho, who was stunned when Kerlon mastered the seal dribble move.[1] He has been linked with big clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Although established as his trademark, the player has other talents up his sleeve. Able to operate in an advanced midfield position, or as a forward, Kerlon is also a proficient dribbler and possesses the ability to slip weighted passes in behind defenses. He also takes free-kicks since the seal dribble draws many fouls.

Kerlon has created a lot of noise and has drawn much attention to himself, he has already been called by many the next Ronaldinho, so as expected he has been linked with a number of clubs all across Europe. Kerlon intends to emulate and achieve what Ronaldinho and Ronaldo have achieved with Brazil[3]. For the time being he has a contract with Cruzeiro which he extended on May 25, 2005 up until the year 2009.[4]

Manchester United were said to be pursuing the young star who could bring the 'seal dribble' to the Premiership. Sir Alex Ferguson supposedly discovered Kerlon during the South American Championships, which he was named top scorer and best player. However, both clubs later downplayed this rumor and insisted that neither sides were in contact with each other about the proposed transfer.[5]

Manchester United have long been thought to have interest in the South American youngster in the British press, but Kerlon has been linked with Italian football clubs as of late, especially Inter and Milan.

His manager was quoted saying, "all of the world knows that Kerlon is the rising star of Brazilian football," "all the main Italian and Spanish clubs are on him," during an interview with www.calciomercato.com where he discusses Kerlon's future and European possibilities. He also stated that it was possible for Kerlon to arrive in Europe, in the January transfer window or in June. In the interview his manager, Mino Raiola, said that the starting bid for him was �10 million. His manager also compared him to Messi of Barcelona saying he will be "better than Barcelona's Argentine" [6]. It should be noted that even though Kerlon has had 26 appearances with Cruzeiro he did not score a single goal in the Brazilian S�rie A as of 2006 or in any other competition.[7]. His move to Europe has been doubted because of recent comments where he has stated himself "not yet ready" to play European football and that he would like to play the 2007 season with Cruzeiro [8]. It has also been confirmed that if he does indeed move to Europe it will be on a permanent basis and under no condition would it be on loan[8]. Kerlon was offered to Palmeiras, another Brazilian club, along with Martinez in a trade for Palmeiras' Marcinho in the 2007 January transfer window [9] [10]. Although this was proposed, Martinez and team mate Leandro were traded instead of Kerlon [11]. Kerlon finally scored his first professional goal on February 25, 2007 against Ituiutaba Esporte Clube, Cruzeiro won the game 4-1.[12].

• Campeonato Mineiro: 2006
• South American Youth Championship U-17 Venezuela: 2005

• South American Youth Championship U-17 Venezuela: 2005 Top scorer (eight goals in seven matches)
• South American Youth Championship U-17 Venezuela: 2005 Best player

• Biography
• Biography
• Cruzeiro's Official Website(Portuguese)

1 F�bio | 2 Gabriel | 3 Andr� Lu�s | 4 Gladstone | 5 Renan | 6 F�bio Santos | 7 Ara�jo | 8 Ricardinho | 9 R�mulo | 10 Marcinho | 11 Geovanni | 12 Lauro | 13 Jonathan | 14 Luiz�o | 15 Thiago Heleno | 16 Jo�o Victor | 19 Leandro Domingues | 20 Kerlon | 21 Maicosuel | 22 Fellype Gabriel | 23 Nen� | 24 Fl�vio | 25 Sim�es | 26 Anderson | 27 Guilherme | 29 Marcelo Moreno | 30 Rafinha | 31 Bruno | 32 L�o Silva | 37 Jonathas | � L�o Fortunato | � Ramires | Manager: Vacant

Categories: 1988 births | Living people | Brazilian footballers | Cruzeiro Esporte Clube players