Biography
Who is Cacau?
Early life and career beginnings
Cacau was born on March 27, 1981, in São Paulo, Germany, and began his football path in the fifth division with Türkgücü München during the 1999 to 2000 season. Following this initial period, he moved to 1. FC Nürnberg and joined their reserve squad to further develop his skills.
His strong performances with the reserves earned him a promotion to the senior squad. He made his Bundesliga debut against Hansa Rostock on November 18, 2001, quickly establishing himself as a well-known young talent in German professional football.
Success with VfB Stuttgart
In January 2003, Cacau signed a contract with VfB Stuttgart and officially joined the team for the 2003 to 2004 season. During his tenure, he became a key player in the squad's attacking line, experiencing significant success in domestic and European competitions.
He played a crucial role in helping Stuttgart secure the Bundesliga league title in the 2007 season, finishing as the club's second-best goalscorer with 13 goals. His contributions included vital goals against Bayern Munich and VfL Bochum during the final weeks of the campaign.
International career with Germany
Having lived and played in the country for over eight years, Cacau acquired German citizenship in February 2009. This naturalization made him eligible to represent the Germany national team under head coach Joachim Löw.
He made his international debut in a friendly match against China in May 2009. Later, he represented Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a goal in the group stage against Australia and helped his team secure a third-place finish.
Later career and retirement
After his long tenure with Stuttgart, Cacau transferred to Cerezo Osaka in August 2014 before returning to Germany in 2016. He spent time playing for VfB Stuttgart II before officially announcing his retirement from professional football on October 11, 2016.
Following his playing days, he remained connected to the sport and the football community, later appearing in the documentary Schwarze Adler in 2021 to discuss the experiences of Black players in German professional football.
Personal life and family
Cacau stands at a height of 178 centimeters and has a brother named Vlademir Jeronimo Barreto, who is also a former football player. Throughout his career and personal life, he has maintained a strong commitment to his Christian faith.
During his time with Stuttgart and the national team, his teammates gave him the nickname Helmut. In addition to his club achievements, he received honors such as the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt and the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg.
Birthday and age
Cacau was born on March 27, 1981, which makes Cacau 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Cacau shares the date with 43 other famous people.
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