Dante (footballer)

Dante Bonfim Costa Santos (born 18 October 1983), commonly known as Dante (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈdɐ̃tʃi]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for and captains French club Nice. Primarily a central defender, he has previously also been used as a defensive midfielder or a left back.[3][4]

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Costa and the second or paternal family name is Santos.
Dante
Dante playing in the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2014
Personal information
Full name Dante Bonfim Costa Santos[1]
Date of birth (1983-10-18) 18 October 1983
Place of birth Salvador, Brazil
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Nice
Number 4
Youth career
1998 Catuense
1999 Galícia
2000 Capivariano
2001 Juventude
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Juventude 55 (2)
2004–2006 Lille 12 (0)
2006–2007 Charleroi 23 (2)
2007–2009 Standard Liège 62 (2)
2009–2012 Borussia Mönchengladbach 93 (8)
2012–2015 Bayern Munich 86 (3)
2015–2016 VfL Wolfsburg 23 (1)
2016– Nice 132 (5)
National team‡
2013–2014 Brazil 13 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 November 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 July 2014

After emerging at Juventude, Dante went on to play for Lille, Charleroi and Standard Liège, winning the Belgian Pro League with the latter. In January 2009, he was signed by Borussia Mönchengladbach, spending two-and-a-half seasons before making a €4.7 million move to Bayern Munich, where he won nine domestic and international honours.

Dante made his international debut for Brazil in 2013, winning that year's Confederations Cup and representing the nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Dante joined Juventude's youth system in 2001 and by 2002 became a part of the club's first team setup. In 2004, he made his move to European football, signing for Lille in France. After two seasons with the club where he only featured in 12 league games, Dante moved to Belgium, signing for Charleroi in 2006. After a successful campaign in the Belgian Pro League for Charleroi where he made 27 appearances and helped the club to a respectable fifth-place finish, he moved across the country to Standard Liège.[5]

Dante had a successful debut season with the Belgian giants, as Standard were crowned league champions; the Brazilian defender proving to be an integral member, missing just one league match.[6] In his second season with Standard, he featured in the first 15 league matches of the campaign before interest from Germany sent the player to the Bundesliga.[7]

Borussia Mönchengladbach
Dante training with Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2011

Dante joined German side Borussia Mönchengladbach on 27 December 2008 for an undisclosed transfer fee, signing a contract with the club until summer 2013.[7] He made his debut for the club on 20 March 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 loss to fellow strugglers VfL Bochum.[8] His first goal for the club came against eventual champions VfL Wolfsburg on 11 April but it came in a losing effort as 'Gladbach fell 2–1 thanks to a late strike by defender Sascha Riether.[9] The Brazilian scored a dramatic late winner against Energie Cottbus on 13 May, heading in a cross from winger Marko Marin to give the club a 1–0 win in the 91st minute.[10] On the final day of the Bundesliga season on 23 May 2009, Dante scored 'Gladbach's only goal in a 1–1 draw with Borussia Dortmund, a point which meant the club avoided immediate relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.[11]

In the opening fixture of the 2009–10 Bundesliga campaign on 9 August 2009, Dante received a red card for a bad foul as Mönchengladbach relinquished a 3–0 lead against VfL Bochum, drawing 3–3.[12] He scored his first goal of the campaign on 31 October, heading home a corner in the 76th minute to draw the match level at 2–2 and an 82nd-minute strike from Rob Friend handed 'Gladbach a 3–2 victory over Hamburger SV.[13] On 9 April 2010, Dante headed in a free-kick from Juan Arango to double 'Gladbach's lead, resulting in a 2–0 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt that all but secured Bundesliga survival.[14]

The 2010–11 campaign proved to be another difficult campaign for 'Gladbach. Dante only featured in 17 league matches as he battled against persistent injury and the club finished in 16th place, the relegation play-off spot.[15] However, Dante did play the full 90 minutes in each play-off match against VfL Bochum as Borussia Mönchengladbach managed a 2–1 aggregate victory to remain in the German top flight for the 2011–12 season.[16]

The following season proved much more successful as Dante featured in 38 matches in all competitions, playing the full 90 minutes in each. In January 2012, he hinted he could leave the club before his contract expired in June 2014, revealing to the press he desired to play for a top club in Germany, singling out Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.[17] Dante was influential as the club made a run to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal where the club lost 4–2 on penalties to Bayern Munich on 21 March 2012, with Dante and Håvard Nordtveit missing their penalties to give Bayern a spot in the final with champions Borussia Dortmund.[18]

Bayern Munich

On 26 April 2012, Dante agreed to join Bayern Munich at the start of the 2012–13 season for an estimated transfer fee of €4.7 million.[19]

2012–13

Dante's first appearance for the club came in the DFL-Supercup on 12 August 2012, starting at centre-back in Bayern's 2–1 defeat of Borussia Dortmund.[20] He made his Bundesliga debut for the Bavarian giants on 25 August as Bayern cruised to a 3–0 opening day victory over promoted side Greuther Fürth.[21] He scored his first competitive goal for the team in a 5–0 thrashing of Hannover 96 on 24 November 2012.[22] Dante made an immediate impact at Bayern, earning a place in the starting 11 and forming partnerships with the interchanging Holger Badstuber, Daniel Van Buyten and Jérôme Boateng in the centre of defence.[23]

Following the defender's impressive start with Die Roten, head coach Jupp Heynckes told media Dante was one of the first names on the team sheet, with club captain Phillip Lahm supporting the manager's sentiments: "Dante is one of the best defenders I've ever played with."[24] He secured his first Bundesliga title since moving to Germany after a 1–0 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt on 6 April 2013 and was seen celebrating with the supporters in the stands following the result.[25][26] In the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, Dante conceded a penalty for a rash challenge but failed to receive a red card in an entertaining 2–1 victory for the Bavarians.[27]

With Dante at the heart the defence, Bayern broke records for fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in a Bundesliga season during their treble-winning campaign.[28]

2013–14

In new manager Pep Guardiola's first Bundesliga match, against Dante's former club Borussia Mönchengladbach, Dante scored an own goal after a mix-up with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The match nonetheless ended in a 3–1 victory for Bayern.[29]

On 21 December 2013, Dante scored the opening goal as Bayern beat Raja Casablanca 2–0 in the final of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.[30]

In February 2014, Dante scored three goals in the space of four matches for Bayern, in Bundesliga wins over Eintracht Frankfurt (5–0)[31] and SC Freiburg (4–0)[32] and a DFB-Pokal victory over Hamburger SV (5–0).[33]

On 24 March 2014, Dante extended his contract with Bayern until June 2017.[34]

VfL Wolfsburg

On 30 August 2015, Dante agreed to move to VfL Wolfsburg for an undisclosed transfer fee.[35] On 13 January 2016, Dante injured teammate Bas Dost in training.[36]

Nice

On 22 August 2016, VfL Wolfsburg announced the departure of Dante to French Ligue 1 side Nice, with which he signed a three-year contract.[37] On 18 February 2018, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Nantes.[38]

Fan culture

In his time at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Dante was well known for his hair, becoming a cult hero with Borussia fans regularly sporting large afro wigs as an homage to their favourite player.[39] Bayern fans quickly continued this tradition after the defender's move to Munich.[40]

International career
Dante (# 13) at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Dante received his first call-up to the Brazil national team on 21 January 2013 by returning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to be part of the squad for a friendly against England, on 6 February at Wembley Stadium.[41] He started the game, which England won 2–1 after goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.[42]

On 22 June 2013, he scored his first international goal in the final group match of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, against Italy at the stroke of half-time, after coming on as a substitute for David Luiz on the 33rd minute.[43]

Dante was a member of Brazil's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, making his only appearance in the semi-final as a replacement for the suspended captain Thiago Silva, as the Seleção were defeated by Germany in a record 7–1 scoreline.[44]

In a comment regarding the defeat, he said he has "been treated with 'less respect'".[45]

Personal life

Dante is married and has two children.[46] His uncle, Jonilson Veloso, is a football manager.[47]

Career statistics

Club
As of 14 November 2020[4][48]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other1 Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Juventude Série A 2002 200——00200
2003 201——21222
2004 130——00130
Total 531—21552
Lille Ligue 1 2003–04 9000——90
2004–05 201050—80
2005–06 1000——10
Total 1201050—180
Charleroi Belgian First Division 2005–06 11120———131
2006–07 12100———121
Total 23220———252
Standard Liège Belgian First Division 2006–07 15060—20—230
2007–08 32161—20—402
2008–09 15120—7010251
Total 622141—11010883
Borussia Mönchengladbach Bundesliga 2008–09 10300———103
2009–10 32320———343
2010–11 18210——20212
2011–12 33050———380
Total 93880——201038
Bayern Munich Bundesliga 2012–13 29130—12010451
2013–14 29261—9031474
2014–15 27040—7010390
2015–16 1010—000020
Total 863141—280511335
VfL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2015–16 23110—9000331
Nice Ligue 1 2016–17 330001050—390
2017–18 3311020121—482
2018–19 3610010——371
2019–20 2113010——251
2020–21 9200—20—112
Total 13254050191—1606
Career total 484214325072110261627

International goals
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dante goal.
List of international goals scored by Dante
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
122 June 2013Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil Italy1–04–22013 FIFA Confederations Cup
216 November 2013Sun Life Stadium, Miami, United States Honduras2–04–0Friendly

Honours

Club

Lille

Standard Liège[50][51]

Bayern Munich[50][51]

International
Brazil[51]

Individual

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players: Brazil" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 6. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  2. "Dante - Profile". Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  3. "Dante: Bochum auswärts stärker" (in German). VfL Bochum. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  4. "Dante" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  5. "Bayern's bargain Brazilian". Bundesliga. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  6. "R. Standard de Liège". UEFA. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  7. "Gladbach lure Dante away from Standard". UEFA. 27 December 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. "Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-1 VfL Bochum". ESPN FC. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  9. "Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-2 VfL Wolfsburg". ESPN FC. 11 April 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  10. "Energie Cottbus 0-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach". ESPN FC. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  11. Wagman, Robert (26 May 2009). "Bradley goes distance, Mönchengladbach saves Bundesliga future with draw". Soccer Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  12. "VfL Bochum 3-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach". ESPN FC. 9 August 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  13. "Hamburg 2-3 Borussia M'gladbach: Late fightback". ESPN FC. 31 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  14. "Hosts have safety in sight". ESPN FC. 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  15. "Bundesliga Saturday: Frankfurt Relegated, 'Gladbach To Playoff, Wolfsburg Survive". SB Nation. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  16. "Reus rettet die "Fohlen"" (in German). kicker. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  17. Bensinger, Maximilian (18 January 2012). "Borussia Monchengladbach's Dante hints at Bayern Munich ambition: I want to play for a big club in Germany". Goal. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  18. "Bayern through on penalties". ESPN FC. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  19. "Dante-Wechsel von Gladbach zu Bayern perfekt" (in German). welt.de. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  20. "Die Bayern holen den ersten Titel der Saison" (in German). kicker.de. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  21. "Bayern ease to victory". ESPNF C. 25 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  22. "Spielfreudiger FCB demontiert müde 96er" (in German). kicker.de. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  23. VanOpdorp, Davis (22 May 2013). "Writer Forum: Dante's Partner, Boateng or van Buyten?". SB Nation. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  24. Gorst, Paul (6 December 2012). "Heynckes says Dante is Bayern Munich's first-choice defender". Goal. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  25. Honigstein, Raphael (19 April 2013). "Dante confident about Bayern Munich's chances against Barcelona". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  26. Honigstein, Raphael (8 April 2013). "Bayern Munich are crowned champions but struggle to get into party mood". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  27. "Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Bayern Munich". BBC Sport. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  28. "Super Bayern rewrite the history books". FC Bayern Munich. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  29. "Bayern Munich see off Borussia Mönchengladbach in season opener". The Guardian. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  30. "Bayern Munich 2-0 Raja Casablanca". BBC Sport. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  31. "Bayern Munich 5-0 Eintracht Frankfurt". BBC Sport. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  32. Kirschbaum, Erik (15 February 2014). "Bayern crush Freiburg 4-0 before Arsenal European clash". Reuters. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  33. "Mandzukic hat-trick sinks Hamburg". Bundesliga. 12 February 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  34. "Dante extends stay at Bayern to 2017". FC Bayern Munich. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  35. "Wolfsburg sign defender Dante and midfielder Julian Draxler". BBC Sport. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  36. "Dante tritt seinen Teamkollegen Dost ins Krankenhaus" (in German). Die Welt. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  37. "Mercato - Le Brésilien Dante arrive à Nice !". France TV Sport (in French). 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  38. "Nice 1-1 Nantes - Ligue 1 2017/2018 Live". Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  39. "Dante in Gladbach offiziell verabschiedet" (in German). tz-online.de. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  40. "Bayerns Kultfigur Dante – "Ich bin ein Krieger"" (in German). welt.de. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  41. "Felipão chama Ronaldinho e Júlio César para reestreia pela Seleção" (in Portuguese). globoesporte.globo.com. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  42. "England 2-1 Brazil". BBC Sport. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  43. "Italy v Brazil: Confederations Cup – as it happened". The Guardian. London. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  44. "Brazil 1-7 Germany". BBC. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  45. Uersfeld, Stephsn (12 February 2015). "Bayern Munich's Dante: People belittle me after Brazil's 7-1 loss to Germany". ESPN FC. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  46. Preiss, Lennart (6 October 2013). "FC Bayern Muenchen Attends Oktoberfest 2013". Getty Images. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  47. "Tio de zagueiro que jogou a Copa do Mundo, técnico renova com time da Série C de 2020" [Uncle of stopper who played in the World Cup, manager renews with 2020 Série C team] (in Portuguese). Futebol Interior. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  48. "Dante". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  49. "Leiria 0-2 Lille (Aggregate: 0 - 2)". uefa.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  50. "Dante" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  51. "Dante". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  52. "ESM-Top-11: Nur Torres und Ivanovic durchbrechen Bundesliga-Phalanx" (in German). kicker.de. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  53. "FifPro announces reserve Teams of the Year - but Luis Suarez and Arjen Robben won't be laughing while Iker Casillas is somehow named the second best goalkeeper of 2013". Independent.co.uk. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
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