Personal Facts
| Date of birth: | 31.07.1980 |
| Sign: | Leo |
| Place of birth: | Saeto (Brasilien) |
| Height: | 190 cm |
| Weight: | 84 kg |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Joined the club in: | 01/2003 |
| Function: | Player |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad number: | 2 |
Statistics
| BL appearances: | 144 |
| BL goals: | 9 |
| Games played for 96: | 144 |
| Goals for 96: | 9 |
| Bundesliga debut: | 25.01.2003 |
| Int. Matches: | - |
| Goals at Int. Matches: | - |
Previous teams
Ituano FC, Vasco da Gama, Sao Caetano
Player Profile
“A real stroke of luck” was the typical response in 2003 from both the fan circles, the team and the management, after the surprising purchase of the then entirely unknown, in Germany at least, “white Brazilian”. “He’s a bit like Bordon”, enthused the Manager Ralf Rangnick and despite his tender age the South American is remarkably solid.
“Vinni” met up with the Reds at their winter training camp in Andalusia in 2003 and impressed the management immediately. The defensive colossus established himself remarkably quickly in the team and soon got used to the unforgiving Bundesliga atmosphere. To avoid the non-E.U player quota at Hanover 96 from being exceeded, Vinicius used his Italian heritage to claim citizenship there.
