Dener

Dener Augusto de Sousa (2 April 1971 – 18 April 1994), known simply as Dener, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a forward. He played twice for the Brazil national team. During his short career, Dener, wearing No.10, drew comparisons with Garrincha and Pele and he was considered one of Brazil's most talented young footballers of the 1990s. In early 1994, even Diego Maradona himself expressed his admiration for Dener's skills after a match against Newell's Old Boys, while his transfer to VfB Stuttgart a few months later never materialised due to his tragic death in a car accident.

Early life Dener was born to a poor family and he grew up with his mother from 1984, when his father lost his life and Dener started working to help his mother financially. He was considered a troubled kid during his youth years.

Club career Futsal Born in São Paulo, Dener started his career with futsal where he excelled in his dribbling skills. By 1986 he was already getting a small stipend from futsal. The same year, he drew public attention during a futsal national tournament watched by 7,000 spectators and was also broadcast on TV. Dener's team won the trophy, and he also won the topscorer's and MVP award. The following day, scouts from São Paulo and Portuguesa approached him to join their clubs.

Youth He started his football career at São Paulo FC's youth squad, in 1988, but after just two months he moved to Portuguesa's youth squad. In 1991, playing for Portuguesa, he won the Copa São Paulo de Juniores, and was elected the competition's best player.

Professional Portuguesa Despite being known for his temper and even violent incidents with opposing players during his youth career, in 1989, he was promoted to Portuguesa's first team squad. His debut against Gremio in 1989 was so impressive that prompted veteran wingback Alfinete to ask for his jersey after the match. In the 1989 Paulista championship he scored one of the most spectacular goals on the history of Portuguesea, dribbling past half the opposing team and scoring. He soon signed a new contract with the club demanding a Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car as a sign-on bonus. Dener became a highly valued asset for Portuguesa, with their president even considering renaming the club's stadium after Dener to keep him long term.

He stayed there until 1993, playing 47 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A matches, and scoring seven goals.

Loan moves to Gremio and Vasco In 1993, Corinthians failed to sign him, as Portuguesa didn't agree on the fee, and then he was loaned to Grêmio of Porto Alegre that had also expressed interest in Dener in the past. On 21 January 1994, he played a friendly with Vasco against Newell's Old Boys in Argentina (at the Copa Diário La Capital tournament), with Diego Maradona returning to action from an injury. Dener's performance impressed Maradona so much that he went to Vasco da Gama's locker room to meet him after the match (score 0-0).

The transfer to Germany Dener was signed by German side VfB Stuttgart for a $3 million fee ahead of the 1994-95 season. On 15 April 1994, he signed his contract with the German club, where he would be teammates with Brazil captain, Dunga.

International career Olympic team Dener played 9 games for the Olympic team of Brazil between 1991 and 1992, but he failed to help them qualify to the 1992 Olympics. He was teammates to players like Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

National team Dener played two matches for the Brazil national team, managed by Paulo Roberto Falcão. On March 27, 1991, he played against Argentina. He entered the pitch as a sub for only six minutes, but he made an impact helping Brazil to equalise after initiating a counter attack that ended in a goal.

Two months later, on May 28, he played against Bulgaria.

Dener was an explosive, agile, and diminutive attacking midfielder with a low centre of gravity. He would start most of his attack either from the centre or the wings. He was known for speed and his exceptional dribbling skills, stating himself that "sometimes a dribble can be more beautiful than a goal". However, he was considered undisciplined as a player, skipping training several times.

Death On 18 April 1994, in Rio de Janeiro, Dener died in an accident when his Mitsubishi Eclipse crashed into a tree at Borges de Medeiros Avenue, in the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas district. The car's driver was Dener's friend, Otto Gomes de Miranda, who lost both legs in the accident (rumoured to be a drug dealer and a friend of Romario's). Dener was strangled by the car's seat belt.

Honours Portuguesa Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior: 1991

Grêmio Campeonato Gaúcho: 1993

Vasco da Gama Campeonato Carioca: 1994 Copa Diário La Capital Argentina: 1994