Anderson (footballer, born 1988)

Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, known as Anderson, was born on 13 April 1988 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A left-footed central midfielder, he emerged at Grêmio, where he made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in 2004. His early career included a serious knee injury in 2005, yet he returned in time to play a part in Grêmio’s Série B title and promotion back to Brazil’s top division that year.

Porto signed him in January 2006. At the Portuguese club, Anderson played under coach Jesualdo Ferreira and was part of the side that won the Primeira Liga in 2006–07. His performances in Portugal brought a move to Manchester United in July 2007, in a transfer reported at about £17m. He made his United debut against Sunderland in September 2007 and quickly became a regular option in Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield.

With United, Anderson won four Premier League titles, in 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, and 2012–13. He was involved in the club’s 2008 UEFA Champions League triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, coming on as a substitute and scoring in the penalty shoot-out. United also won the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2009 League Cup, and the 2010 League Cup during his time there. In the 2011 Champions League final, he started as United lost 3–1 to Barcelona at Wembley.

Anderson joined Fiorentina on loan in January 2014, making seven Serie A appearances. He left Manchester United permanently in February 2015, returning to Brazil with Internacional. He helped Internacional win the Campeonato Gaúcho in 2015 and 2016, although the club was relegated from Série A in 2016. After a spell with Coritiba, he moved to Turkey’s Adana Demirspor in 2018. He announced his retirement from professional football in September 2019.

For Brazil, Anderson won eight senior caps between 2007 and 2008. He was selected for the 2008 Olympic tournament in Beijing, where Brazil took the bronze medal after beating Belgium 3–0 in the third-place match. Earlier, he had helped Brazil win the 2005 South American Under-17 Championship, and he reached the final of the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where Brazil finished runners-up.

His early promise was marked by powerful running, close control, and a willingness to drive forward from midfield. At United, injuries and strong competition limited his consistency. His medal collection included domestic titles, European success, and an Olympic bronze. His return to Brazil came before professional retirement in 2019.