Robson Ponte

Robson Ponte (born 6 November 1976) is a Brazilian former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He spent most of his career at Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany and Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan.

Club career Ponte was born in São Paulo.

After impressing in a friendly match between his club Guarani and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in early 1999, he was offered a contract by a Bundesliga club in August 1999. He played for three seasons at Leverkusen. In the month of his transfer, German techno label Kompakt released a single entitled 'Robson Ponte'.

Before the 2001–02 season started, Ponte moved on loan to another Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg. At Wolfsburg, he managed 61 appearances in two seasons and scored 13 goals.

Ponte signed on a free transfer with Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds before his contract with Leverkusen expired in July 2005. He, an all-around midfielder, took both penalty kicks and corners for Urawa for five seasons. In 2007, he received the Most Valuable Player award of the season.

Ponte ended his playing career with foreign professional leagues in 2010 and returned to his country, Brazil, to spend his last years. He joined Grêmio Barueri on 26 May 2011.

Career statistics

Awards and honours

Club Urawa Red Diamonds AFC Champions League: 2007 J1 League: 2006 Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006 Japanese Super Cup: 2006

Individual J. League Most Valuable Player: 2007 J. League Best Eleven: 2007