Cruzeiro’s board announced the signing of midfielder Eduardo, Brazilian and Libertadores champion for Botafogo this year. At 35 years old, the midfielder will not have his contract renewed at the Rio club. Therefore, he will be free to sign a one-season contract with the celestial team.
Botafogo standout, Eduardo is Bebeto’s son-in-law. The midfielder is married to Stephanie Oliveira, model and digital influencer, daughter of the historic former player, four-time world champion with the Brazilian team in 1994.
Eduardo will have an important coincidence in his career with his father-in-law. Bebeto also wore the Cruzeiro shirt.
This happened in 1997, in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, when the celestial team lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund, from Germany, at the Olympic stadium, in Tokyo, Japan.
“Eduardo, a son I had. I’m Carlos Eduardo football club. He’s a playmaker, he always looks for the goal, he only takes one touch, he’s quick, the team moves with him. We are too happy. I wanted to ask him a question, when he came here, if he really expected Botafogo to fight for the title? That’s what I wanted to ask”, said Bebeto, when participating in a program on ESPN Brazilem 2023.
And the son-in-law returned the compliments. “This guy is a father to me, I have enormous affection, a person with a pure, sincere heart. He is a phenomenon, not only as a player, for everything he represented for our country, but I know him as a person, I have enormous affection for him. I treat him like a father and he treats me like a son. I even get emotional because I truly love it”, said Eduardo.
Why does Cruzeiro want Eduardo?
According to the investigation of the ItatiaiaEduardo’s signing was designed for the player’s versatility. The midfielder can act as both a second midfielder and a midfielder, which will increase coach Fernando Diniz’s tactical possibilities.
Eduardo at Botafogo
Eduardo’s contract with Botafogo ends on December 31st of this year. The midfielder arrived at the Rio de Janeiro club in 2022, coming from Al-Ahli, from Saudi Arabia. The midfielder enjoyed his best moment for Fogão in the 2023 season, when he participated in 19 goals in 49 games.
Wearing the Estrela Solitária club’s shirt, Eduardo played 98 games, scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists. He won two titles with Fogão: the 2024 Brazilian Championship.
Resilience
Eduardo had to overcome a serious injury this season. The number 33 underwent surgery on his right rectus femoris and was sidelined for more than three months. The injury cost the midfielder his starting role, which saw striker Jefferson Savarino take over as the team’s playmaker.
Eduardo was injured in , on July 11, in the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship. Initially, the prediction was that the midfielder might not even return to play in 2024. However, he turned things around and returned to the pitch on October 18, in a draw with Criciúma, in the 30th round.
Even with the injury, Eduardo played 35 games this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. Last year, when he was going through a great phase and formed a partnership with Tiquinho Soares, the midfielder entered the field on 49 occasions, found the net 12 times and made seven passes on goal.
Eduardo on Cruzeiro?
Eduardo’s announcement at Cruzeiro could even be made in the next few days, given the stage of negotiations. The midfielder’s contract with Botafogo ends on December 31st of this year, which facilitates negotiations to close the deal. He can act both as a second midfielder and as a playmaker.
Career
Eduardo made his professional debut in 2009, when he belonged to Desportivo Brasil and was loaned to Ituano. Later, he also played for Fluminense and Grêmio Barueri, before leaving the country. In the northern hemisphere, the midfielder played for Estoril-POR, Porto-POR, Nice-FRA, Al-Hilal-SAU, Al-Shabab-SAU and Al-Ahli-SAU.
