João Maria Menezes Bezerra

João Maria Menezes Bezerra (born 5 June 1972), better known as Barata, is a Brazilian former professional footballer and manager who played as a forward.

Career Champion at ABC in his first years of career, Barata played for Itaperuna, Fluminense and in 1999, he was hired by Tenerife, a club for which he created identification and accumulated goals. He returned to Brazil in 2004 at Ponte Preta, and in football in Rio Grande do Norte he again accumulated achievements, being part of ASSU state title squad and conquering the promotion to Série C with Alecrim in 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série D.

Managerial career As a coach, Barata accumulated spells at Baraúnas, ASSU and Potiguar de Mossoró.

Honours ABC Campeonato Potiguar: 1994, 1995, 2005

ASSU Campeonato Potiguar: 2009 Copa RN: 2009