Mário Jardel

For the Indonesian footballer, see Mario Jardel (footballer, born 2000).

Mário Jardel de Almeida Ribeiro (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈmaɾiu ʒaʁˈdɛw]; born 18 September 1973) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was most noted for his positioning on the field and his heading ability. He was a legend for Grêmio, playing a major part in the squad that won the 1995 Copa Libertadores. With his exceptional positioning ability, he was able to become one of Europe's most prolific strikers during his time at Porto, Galatasaray, and Sporting CP, scoring 206 goals in 274 matches for those clubs.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Almeida and the second or paternal family name is Ribeiro.

Mario Jardel

Jardel training with Newcastle Jets
Personal information
Full name	Mário Jardel de Almeida Ribeiro
Date of birth	(1973-09-18) 18 September 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth	Fortaleza, Brazil
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1991–1996	Vasco da Gama	15	(3)
1995–1996	→ Grêmio (loan)	13	(10)
1996–2000	Porto	125	(129)
2000–2001	Galatasaray	24	(22)
2001–2003	Sporting CP	49	(53)
2003–2004	Bolton Wanderers	7	(0)
2004	→ Ancona (loan)	3	(0)
2004–2005	Newell's Old Boys	3	(3)
2005–2006	Goiás	4	(1)
2006–2007	Beira-Mar	12	(3)
2007	Anorthosis Famagusta	7	(2)
2007–2008	Newcastle Jets	11	(0)
2008	Criciúma	17	(6)
2009	Ferroviário	6	(5)
2009	América (CE)	11	(8)
2010	Flamengo (PI)	0	(0)
2010–2011	Cherno More	8	(1)
2011	Rio Negro	0	(0)
Total		328	(254)
International career
1993	Brazil U20	1	(0)
1996–2001	Brazil	10	(1)
Medal record Representing  Brazil Men's football FIFA World Youth Championship Winner 1993 Australia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After leaving Sporting CP in 2003 at age 29, Jardel had a succession of brief and unsuccessful stints at clubs in England, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Argentina and Australia. He then played for several smaller clubs in Brazil before retiring in 2011.

Jardel made his debut for the Brazil national team in 1996, making a total of 10 appearances and being selected for the 2001 Copa América.

Club career

Brazil

Jardel played first for Vasco da Gama, but moved in 1995 to Grêmio, where he played a major role in the squad that won the 1995 Copa Libertadores, scoring 12 goals to be crowned the tournament's top goal scorer, including a hat-trick in the quarter-finals against Roberto Carlos' Palmeiras, and a goal in the final against Atlético Nacional.

Porto

In 1996, Jardel was linked to several teams, and after failing to transfer to Benfica and Rangers (due to the strict British rules involving non-EU players), he signed with Portuguese side Porto, where with help from players such as Zlatko Zahovič, Sérgio Conceição and Ljubinko Drulović, he was the top goalscorer in Europe for three years (1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02), with a goal average of slightly over one goal per match (129 goals in 125 matches for an average of 1.03 per match). Although he was top scorer three times, due to the use of coefficients based on each European league's standards, he only won twice, the 1998–99 and 2001–02 European Golden Boots. He lost out to Kevin Phillips in 1999–2000 despite Phillips having scored six fewer goals than Jardel.

In a 2014 interview, Jardel revealed that, during his spell at Porto, he consumed cocaine with the knowledge of both the club's doctor and physiotherapist.^[1]

Galatasaray

Before the 2000–01 season, Jardel was sold to Turkish club Galatasaray, winners of the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup as the club activated his release clause of US$16 million.^[2][3]

Scoring five goals in his debut match in the Süper Lig suggested Jardel would adapt well to his new club, but towards the end of the season, injuries and growing personal problems hinted he was soon going to leave Turkey. Regardless, he was part of the Galatasaray squad that won the 2000 UEFA Super Cup, himself scoring twice with a golden goal to beat Real Madrid 2–1 in the Super Cup match, and reached the quarter-finals of the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, with Jardel scoring six goals in the competition and helped in victories against teams such as Rangers, Deportivo de La Coruña, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Milan and Real Madrid. He ended the season with 34 goals.

Sporting CP

In 2001–02, Jardel returned to Portugal; Sporting CP signed him on the last day of transfer window and offered a contract worth €11 million over three seasons. Sporting transferred Galatasaray three players: Mbo Mpenza, Robert Spehar and Pavel Horváth (valued €3.4 million),^[4] as well as US$5 million in cash.^[5]

The 2001–02 season proved hugely successful for Jardel, as he scored 42 goals in 30 matches (17 via penalties)^[6] as Sporting CP won both the Primeira Liga and the Taça de Portugal. He also won Portuguese Footballer of the Year by Record newspaper, one of the only two foreign players to achieve this, the other being the Argentinian Lisandro López.

Decline

While the 2001–02 season was arguably the best of Jardel's career, the following 2002–03 season proved to be the beginning of the end. Again omitted from the Brazil national team squad, this time for the 2002 FIFA World Cup (despite his tremendous goal-scoring abilities he was rarely called up), and unfit at the start of the season, he spent the year on the injury list.

During the Christmas break, Jardel returned to his native Fortaleza, where he injured his knee in a swimming pool fall.^{[citation needed]} He scored only nine goals that season. He was granted, alongside Deco, Portuguese citizenship in February 2003.^[7]

In August 2003, Jardel moved to English club Bolton Wanderers, with Sporting CP to receive a transfer fee up to €1.5 million based on his performances in the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons.^[8][9][10] However, Jardel failed to score a league goal for the club, though he scored three goals in the League Cup, where Bolton were eventually losing finalists. These goals came in matches against Walsall, where Jardel scored twice,^[11] and Liverpool at Anfield.^[12]

During the winter break, Jardel went on loan to Italian side Ancona, but could not convince the staff of his physical capabilities. Ancona supporters called him "lardel" (a pun on the Italian "lardo", meaning lard) due to him being overweight. Regarding his debut against Milan, an Italian journalist also said, "We stretch a veil of silence in respect of what he has been."^[13]

In August 2004, Jardel signed a contract with Argentine club Newell's Old Boys, for which Bolton did not receive any transfer fee.^[14][15]

In September 2005, Jardel signed a contract with Brazilian first-division side Goiás until 31 December 2006.^[16]

Jardel returned to Portugal to sign for Beira Mar for the 2006–07 season, for an undisclosed fee.^[17] Despite arriving at the club overweight, he worked hard and trained specifically to lose weight and gain physical form and scored one goal on his debut for Beira-Mar in a 2–2 draw against Desportivo das Aves. In the winter transfer season, Jardel signed for the Cypriot team Anorthosis Famagusta.

On 14 July 2007, Jardel played for Scottish Premier League club St Mirren, as a trialist in a 3–0 win over first division side Stirling Albion.^{[citation needed]}

Newcastle Jets

On 14 August 2007, Australian A-League side Newcastle United Jets officially announced at a press conference in Newcastle they had signed Jardel on a one-year contract as their marquee player.^[18] Jardel was rumoured to join the club for weeks before the official announcement was made.^[19] He arrived in Australia on 12 August 2007 and traveled to Newcastle on 13 August.^[20]

Jardel worked hard on his fitness before arriving in Newcastle.^[21] He was unable to play for the Jets in the first three rounds as he was in Australia on a tourist visa.^[22] He eventually had his sport visa approved before the start of Round 4.^[23] He made his debut as a substitute in the 70th minute at EnergyAustralia Stadium against Adelaide United in Round 4. Newcastle won the match 1–0 with a strike from Mark Bridge in the 81st minute.^[24]

After joining the Jets, Jardel saw little game time, usually making an appearance as a late substitute. The owner of Newcastle Jets, Con Constantine, who brought Jardel to Newcastle, expressed his desire for Jardel to stay on the field for longer. However, Newcastle head coach Gary van Egmond was reluctant to give the Brazilian a larger role.^[25][26]

On 3 November 2007, Jardel played nearly 20 minutes against Sydney FC. He showed some positive signs, nearly equalising for Newcastle with a trademark header from a Joel Griffiths corner kick. Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton saved the initial header before Jardel's follow-up was cleared off the line.^[27]

However, after showing glimpses of class, manager van Egmond perceived Jardel to be surplus to requirements and was told he could leave the club halfway through the season. He was reportedly being paid $3,000 per week by club owner Con Constantine. He left the club on 24 January 2008 to be with his sick mother in Brazil. The Jets went on to win the 2008 A-League Grand Final.

Brazil lower divisions (2008–10)

On 29 June 2008, Jardel joined Campeonato Brasileiro Série B club Criciúma.^[28] He scored four goals in the Brazilian Serie B season 2008. Unfortunately for Jardel his club, was relegated from Serie B; finishing 18th with 41 points from 38 games.^[28]

Jardel joined to Ferroviário on 4 February 2009. On 11 March 2009, Jardel made his Ferroviário debut with a very classy goal, a reminder of his past years of glory as one of the best finishers ever to play on the Portuguese Liga.^[29] In August 2009 he signed a 6-month contract with América de Fortaleza, but released on 30 October 2009.

On 20 January 2010, Jardel signed a contract until the end of 2010 Campeonato Piauiense with Esporte Clube Flamengo.^[30] He became a free agent on 10 June 2010.

Cherno More

On 27 June 2010, Jardel arrived in Varna, Bulgaria in order to negotiate terms with Bulgarian club Cherno More Varna.^[31][32] A day later, on 28 June 2010, Jardel signed a one-year contract with the Sailors and was officially presented as a new signing of the club.^[33] Jardel was welcomed by 500 fans at his presentation at the Ticha Stadium. He made his new club debut on 17 July, in a friendly match against Romanian side Victoria Brăneşti, with the match ending in a 2–2 draw.

Jardel made his competitive debut for the Sailors during the 2010–11 season on 7 August 2010 in a 0–2 away loss against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, coming on as a substitute for compatriot Marco Tiago. In the next round of A PFG Mário played 26 minutes as a substitute for a 1–0 home win against Akademik Sofia. On 31 October 2010, he scored his first goal for the Bulgarian team, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Lokomotiv Sofia. On 28 November 2010, it was reported that Jardel had left Cherno More, in part due to concerns pertaining to the cold weather conditions in Bulgaria.^[34]

Atlético Rio Negro Clube

On 21 December 2010, it was reported that Jardel signed a one-year deal with Atlético Rio Negro Clube from Manaus, Amazonas.

International career

Jardel was capped for the national team first when he was 19 years old. In March 1993, Jardel capped one time for the Brazil national under-20 football team during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Australia.^[35] Brazil became champions of the tournament.

Jardel's debut for the Seleçao was as a substitute replacing Ronaldo during a friendly game against Russia in August 1996.^[36] He was also a part of the national team squad during the Copa América tournament in 2001.

Political career

In the 2014 general election, Jardel was elected to the Chamber of Deputies on the Brazilian Social Democratic Party ticket, with 41,000 votes.^[37]

According to Brazil's Public Prosecutor's Office, Jardel and 10 other people have extorted staff, nominated fake members and diverted funds for their own benefit. The Prosecutor's Office finished the accusation in February 2016 as a result of the investigation started in 2015 (Operação Gol Contra), triggering the process to terminate Jardel's term in the Chamber of Deputies. Fellow politician Marlon Santos stated at the time that Jardel was involved in activities "which are not compatible with parliamentary ethics". Jardel was also accused by Santos of being involved in drug trafficking, with Santos stating "There is clear proof that the car allocated by the parliament has been used to drive drug dealers around".^[38]

On 8 June 2016, the Parliament Ethics commission approved the request to terminate Jardel's term. The case was transferred to the Constitution and Justice Commission, who approved the case in December 2016. A final vote was held in the Parliament in December 2016 where it was unanimously decided to terminate Jardel's term.^[39]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition^[40]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other[a]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Vasco da Gama	1992	Série A	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	2	1
	1993		2	0	3	0	0	0	18	9	23	9
	1994		13	3	7	3	0	0	14	4	34	10
	Total		15	3	10	3	0	0	34	14	59	20
Grêmio (loan)	1995	Série A	13	10	13	6	14	12	24	14	64	42
	1996		0	0	5	1	7	5	17	8	29	14
	Total		13	10	18	7	21	17	41	22	93	55
Porto	1996–97	Primeira Liga	31	30	6	3	8	4	1	0	46	37
	1997–98		30	26	3	10	5	3	2	0	40	39
	1998–99		32	36	0	0	6	2	1	0	39	38
	1999–2000		32	37[b]	4	6	13	10	1	2	50	55
	Total		125	129	13	19	32	19	5	2	175	169
Galatasaray	2000–01	Süper Lig	24	22	2	1	16	9	1	2	43	34
Sporting CP	2001–02	Primeira Liga	30	42	6	7	6	6	0	0	42	55
	2002–03		19	11	1	1	0	0	0	0	20	12
	Total		49	53	7	8	6	6	0	0	62	67
Bolton Wanderers	2003–04	Premier League	7	0	4	3	0	0	0	0	11	3
Ancona (loan)	2003–04	Serie A	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Newell's Old Boys	2004–05	Argentine Primera División	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
Goiás	2006	Série A	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Beira-Mar	2006–07	Primeira Liga	12	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	13	4
Anorthosis Famagusta	2006–07	Cypriot First Division	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	2
Newcastle Jets	2007–08	A-League	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Criciúma	2008	Série B	16	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	4
Ferroviário	2009	Série D	6	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	5
América	2009	Série C (CE)	11	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	8
Flamengo (PI)	2010	Série D	16	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	12
Cherno More	2010–11	Bulgarian First League	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
Rio Negro	2011	Amazonense	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			343	264	55	42	75	51	81	40	541	389

1. Includes Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Gaúcho, Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, Intercontinental Cup and UEFA Super Cup
2. Does not include the second goal scored in 3–0 win against Braga on 5 February 2000; some sites such as worldfootball and BeSoccer attribute it to Carlos Chaínho,^[41][42] while others such as zerozero attribute it to Jardel.^[43]

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[44]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Brazil	1996	2	0
	1997	1	0
	1999	2	0
	2000	2	1
	2001	3	0

List of international goals scored by Mário Jardel

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	23 February 2000	Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand	Thailand	6-0	7-0	2000 King's Cup

Honours

Vasco da Gama

• Campeonato Carioca: 1992, 1993, 1994

Grêmio

• Copa Libertadores: 1995
• Recopa Sudamericana: 1996
• Campeonato Gaúcho: 1995, 1996

Porto

• Primeira Liga: 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99
• Taça de Portugal: 1997–98, 1999–2000
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1996, 1998, 1999

Galatasaray

• UEFA Super Cup: 2000

Sporting CP

• Primeira Liga: 2001–02
• Taça de Portugal: 2001–02

Newell's Old Boys

• Argentine Primera División: 2004

Goiás

• Campeonato Goiano: 2006

Anorthosis

• Cypriot Cup: 2006–07

Newcastle Jets

• A-League: 2007–08

Brazil U20

• FIFA World Youth Championship: 1993

Individual

• Copa Libertadores top goalscorer: 1995
• Primeira Liga top goalscorer: 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02
• Taça de Portugal top goalscorer: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02
• European Golden Shoe: 1998–99, 2001–02
• UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 1999–2000
• Portuguese Golden Ball: 1997, 1998, 2002

References

1. "Jardel: "Médico do FC Porto sabia que consumia cocaína"" [Jardel: "FC Porto's doctor knew that I consumed cocaine]. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
2. "Communication" (PDF). FC Porto (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). 30 June 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
3. "Communication" (PDF). FC Porto (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). 4 July 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
4. "Sporting – Sociedade de Futebol, SAD, announces the hiring of a player" (PDF). Sporting CP (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). 21 August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
5. http://www.sporting.pt/incscp/pdf/investor_relations/ir_comunicado_200103.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
6. "Mário Jardel". www.zerozero.pt.
7. "Deco and Jardel granted Portuguese citizenship". WorldSoccerNews.com. 14 February 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
8. "Sporting – Sociedade Desportiva de Futebol, SAD, announces rescindment of contract with player Mário Jardel" (PDF). Sporting CP (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 14 August 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
9. "Sporting – Sociedade Desportiva de Futebol, SAD, announces rescindment of contract with the player informa Mário Jardel (Rectification)" (PDF). Sporting CP (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 14 August 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
10. "Sporting – Sociedade Desportiva de Futebol, SAD, announces rescindment of contract with the player informa Mário Jardel (Rectification)" (PDF). Sporting CP (in Portuguese). Published by Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 18 August 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
11. "Bolton 3–1 Walsall". BBC. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
12. "Bolton stun Liverpool". BBC. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
13. "Mario Jardel - Arrivò in Italia grasso e impacciato, ombra di se stesso".
14. "Jardel Leaves Wanderers". Bolton Wanderers FC. 13 August 2004. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
15. "Jardel leaves Bolton". BBC Sport. 13 August 2004. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
16. "BOLETIM INFORMATIVO DIÁRIO ELETRÔNICO (BID-E)RELAÇÃO PELA DATA 19/09/2005". CBF (in Portuguese). 19 September 2005. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
17. "ESPNFC: Soccer Jardel returns to Portugal with Beira Mar". go.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013.
18. "Jardel flies in for Jets". The World Game. SBS. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
19. Valentine, Renee (3 August 2007). "Jets expecting super Mario". The Herald. p. 72. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
20. Gardiner, James (13 August 2007). "Brazilian 'big unit' will fit right in; Nogarotto says new signing will shape up". The Herald. p. 28.
21. Taylor, John (27 August 2007). "Jardel still in hangar". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
22. Taylor, John (4 September 2007). "Jardel still a tourist". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
23. Ormond, Aidan (13 September 2007). "Jardel Set To Make His Debut". Australian FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
24. "Newcastle V Adelaide – 15 September 2007". Football Federation Australia. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
25. Taylor, John (30 October 2007). "Newcastle not ready to give up on Brazilian Mario". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
26. Cockerill, Michael (2 November 2007). "Con's old style autocracy the wind beneath Jets' wings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
27. Ritson, Jon (3 November 2007). "Hi-Ho Sydney and the Loan Danger". Australian FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
28. "Criciúma acerta com Jardel" (in Portuguese). Futebol SC. 29 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
29. Edisport. ".: Mário Jardel reforça Ferroviário - Jornal Record :". record.pt. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012.
30. "Jardel assina pelo Flamengo..." (in Portuguese). Esporte Brasil. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
31. "Черно море привлича Марио Жардел" (in Bulgarian). Gong.bg. 27 June 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
32. "Cherno More snap up Jardel". Uefa.com. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
33. Mário Jardel signed a one year contract with the Sailors (in Bulgarian) 28 June 2010 Retrieved 28 June 2010.
34. Stefanov, Stefan; Petrov, Nedko (27 November 2010). "Жардел си тръгна от "Черно море". Бразилецът замина за Лисабон, не се знае дали ще се върне" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
35. FIFA.com FIFA World Youth Championship Australia 1993 Norway – Brazil Report
36. http://www.hep.lu.se/staff/smirnova//archive/rep96.html#RuBr Reports 1996 Russia – Brazil
37. "Jardel eleito deputado estadual".
38. "Comissão de Ética de Assembleia do RS aprova pedido de cassação de Jardel".
39. "Deputado Mário Jardel tem mandato cassado em sessão na AL-RS". 22 December 2016.
40. "Jardel » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
41. "Porto 3–0 Braga". worldfootball.
42. "Porto 3–0 Braga". BeSoccer.
43. "Porto 3–0 Braga" (in Portuguese). zerozero.
44. "Mário Jardel". National-Football-Teams.com.

External links

• Yahoo! Sport profile
• Mário Jardel at fussballdaten.de (in German)
• Mário Jardel at WorldFootball.net
• Mário Jardel at National-Football-Teams.com
• CBF (in Portuguese)