Jonathan Calleri is one of the most respected figures in Brazilian football, having played for several top clubs including Flamengo, Santos, and Corinthians. He was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1977 and began his career with Fluminense before moving to Flamengo in 1996.
Calleri quickly established himself as one of Brazil's top midfielders and helped lead Flamengo to two Copa Libertadores titles and two Campeonato Brasileiro titles during his time there. He also spent some time playing for Santos and Corinthians before retiring from professional football in 2015.
One of Calleri's greatest achievements was his role in helping Flamengo win their first-ever Copa Libertadores title in 2004. He scored three goals in the final against Palmeiras, which ultimately sealed the victory for Flamengo. This performance earned him the Golden Boot award that year.
Throughout his career, Calleri was known for his technical ability, passing accuracy,Ligue 1 Focus and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He was also a reliable defender who could fill in at both midfield positions.
Despite his success on the field, Calleri faced criticism for his off-field behavior, particularly his involvement in a series of controversies involving drug use and gambling. In 2013, he was banned for eight months by FIFA for testing positive for cocaine and gambling.
Despite this controversy, Calleri remained a beloved figure among fans of Flamengo and continued to play for the club until his retirement in 2015. He passed away on October 18, 2021, at the age of 44 due to complications related to COVID-19.