Luís Eduardo Schmidt
Encyclopedia
Luís Eduardo Schmidt, aka Edu (born 10 January 1979 in Jaú
, São Paulo
), is a Brazil
ian footballer.
A versatile midfielder
and forward, he played most of his professional career in Spain
- helping both Celta
and Betis
to their first-ever UEFA Champions League
participation, amassing La Liga
totals of 253 matches and 63 goals in nine years - and also holds an Italian
passport.
for 2000–01. Even though he only scored three times during that season, he went on to become one of the Galician side's most important elements in the subsequent La Liga
seasons.
Hindered by injuries throughout 2003–04, Edu also played a small part in Celta's UEFA Champions League
campaign, netting once against Arsenal
in a round of 16 home defeat (2–3). Upon the club's relegation, he moved to Real Betis
, spending the first two seasons on loan.
Edu made a huge impression during his debut season with Betis, as his partnership with countryman Ricardo Oliveira
featured strongly in the success of the Andalusia
club, who qualified to its first Champions League; he finished the campaign with 11 goals in 32 league appearances, with the team also winning the season's Spanish Cup
.
In his second year, Edu only netted in three league matches, but started it by scoring a last-minute goal
against AS Monaco FC
in the Champions League third qualifying round, as Betis went on to win 3–2 on aggregate.
After two seasons, Edu was officially signed for €
2,000,000 in 2006. On the final day of the 2006–07 season, he scored two goals in the final ten minutes in a 2–0 win at Racing de Santander
, which proved instrumental in avoiding relegation to the second division
. In the following, as Betis again battled relegation, he finished as the club's top scorer, at 12; two of those came on 29 March 2008, as he netted the first and the last for his team in a 3–2 home win against FC Barcelona
, who won 2–0 at half-time
.
In 2008–09, Edu appeared very rarely due to injuries, and Betis was relegated, with the played being released subsequently. Shortly after, he returned to Brazil after a nine-year absence, and signed a two-year contract with Sport Club Internacional
.
On 2 June 2011, aged 32, Edu joined Esporte Clube Vitória
on a free transfer.
debut against Thailand
, on 23 February 2000. It would be his only appearance for the full national side.
Late in the summer, Edu scored twice at the 2000 Summer Olympics
, as Brazil
were ousted in the quarterfinals
.
Jaú
Jaú is a municipality in the center of the state of São Paulo, in Brazil. The population in 2008 was 133,333 and the area is 690.18 km². The elevation is 522 m...
, São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
), is a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian footballer.
A versatile midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and forward, he played most of his professional career in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- helping both Celta
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
and Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
to their first-ever UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
participation, amassing La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
totals of 253 matches and 63 goals in nine years - and also holds an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
passport.
Club career
Edu made 11 appearances for São Paulo Futebol Clube from 1997–2000, then transferring to Real Club Celta de VigoCelta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
for 2000–01. Even though he only scored three times during that season, he went on to become one of the Galician side's most important elements in the subsequent La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
seasons.
Hindered by injuries throughout 2003–04, Edu also played a small part in Celta's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
campaign, netting once against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in a round of 16 home defeat (2–3). Upon the club's relegation, he moved to Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, spending the first two seasons on loan.
Edu made a huge impression during his debut season with Betis, as his partnership with countryman Ricardo Oliveira
Ricardo Oliveira
Ricardo Oliveira is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Al Jazira Club in the United Arab Emirates, as a striker.He represented São Paulo in two different spells, but also played in Spain, amassing La Liga totals of 120 games and 58 goals for three teams.A Brazilian international in the 2000s,...
featured strongly in the success of the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
club, who qualified to its first Champions League; he finished the campaign with 11 goals in 32 league appearances, with the team also winning the season's Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
.
In his second year, Edu only netted in three league matches, but started it by scoring a last-minute goal
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
against AS Monaco FC
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
in the Champions League third qualifying round, as Betis went on to win 3–2 on aggregate.
After two seasons, Edu was officially signed for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2,000,000 in 2006. On the final day of the 2006–07 season, he scored two goals in the final ten minutes in a 2–0 win at Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, which proved instrumental in avoiding relegation to the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
. In the following, as Betis again battled relegation, he finished as the club's top scorer, at 12; two of those came on 29 March 2008, as he netted the first and the last for his team in a 3–2 home win against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, who won 2–0 at half-time
Half-time
In some team sports such as association football and rugby, matches are played in two halves. Half-time is the name given to the interval between the two halves of the match...
.
In 2008–09, Edu appeared very rarely due to injuries, and Betis was relegated, with the played being released subsequently. Shortly after, he returned to Brazil after a nine-year absence, and signed a two-year contract with Sport Club Internacional
Sport Club Internacional
Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...
.
On 2 June 2011, aged 32, Edu joined Esporte Clube Vitória
Esporte Clube Vitória
Esporte Clube Vitória, usually known simply as Vitória, is a Brazilian football team from Salvador in Bahia, founded on May 13, 1899.Vitória's home games are played at the club's own stadium . They play in red and black horizontal striped shirts, black shorts and black socks...
on a free transfer.
International career
Edu made his BrazilBrazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
debut against Thailand
Thailand national football team
The Thailand national football team represents Thailand in international football competition and is governed by the Football Association of Thailand. The team has a history of success in Southeast Asian competition, with three ASEAN Football Championship titles and nine senior-level Southeast...
, on 23 February 2000. It would be his only appearance for the full national side.
Late in the summer, Edu scored twice at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, as Brazil
Brazil Olympic football team
Brazil Olympic football team represents Brazil in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation...
were ousted in the quarterfinals
Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
.
Honours
- BetisReal BetisReal Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
:- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2004–05
- Copa del Rey