1. Overview
Henrique Arlindo Etges (born March 15, 1966) is a former Brazilian footballer who played primarily as a defender, specifically as a centre-back. A key figure in his youth career, Etges was a member of the Brazil U-20 national team that famously won the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship. Throughout his professional club career, he played for several prominent Brazilian clubs including Grêmio, Portuguesa, União São João, and Corinthians, before a brief stint in Japan with Verdy Kawasaki. His career concluded due to injuries.
2. Early Life and Career
Henrique Arlindo Etges was born on March 15, 1966, in Venâncio Aires, a municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. From a young age, Etges showed promise as a footballer, developing into a robust defender known for his role as a centre-back. His formative years in Brazilian football laid the foundation for a career that would see him compete at both domestic and international levels, culminating in a significant triumph during his youth international career.
3. Club Career
Henrique Arlindo Etges enjoyed a career that spanned several clubs in his native Brazil and a period in Japan. He was recognized for his defensive capabilities, often serving as a defensive leader for his teams.
3.1. Clubs Played For
Etges played for a number of clubs during his professional career. His stints at various teams are listed chronologically below:
- 1985-1988: Grêmio (Brazil)
- 1988-1991: Portuguesa (Brazil)
- 1991-1992: União São João (Brazil)
- 1992-1997: Corinthians (Brazil)
- 1998: Verdy Kawasaki (Japan)
- 1999: Botafogo-SP (Brazil)
3.2. Club Statistics
While detailed statistics for Henrique Arlindo Etges' extensive career in Brazil are not readily available in all sources, his performance during his tenure in Japan is documented. He played as a defense leader for Verdy Kawasaki during the 1998 season.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1998 | Verdy Kawasaki | J1 League | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | ||
For his Brazilian clubs, Henrique Etges played in various competitions including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Brazilian Championship A Series), Copa União, and the Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo State Championship). While specific appearance and goal counts for these periods are not comprehensive in available records, his presence in these leagues indicates a significant role within Brazilian club football during his active years. His physical attributes were noted as 71 in (180 cm) in height and 170 lb (77 kg) in weight.
4. International Career
Henrique Arlindo Etges represented his country at the youth level, achieving a significant milestone in Brazilian football history. He was a member of the Brazil U-20 national team in 1985. The highlight of his international youth career was his participation in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship. Held in the Soviet Union, this tournament saw Brazil emerge victorious, with Etges playing a part in the squad that secured the championship title for his nation. This triumph underscored his talent and potential as a defender on the global stage.
5. Retirement
Henrique Arlindo Etges' professional football career concluded primarily due to injuries. After his tenure with Verdy Kawasaki in Japan in 1998, where he served as a defense leader, he suffered an injury that led to his decision to retire from the sport at the end of that year. Although he was listed with Botafogo-SP for the 1999 season, this was effectively the very end of his professional playing days, with the injury sustained in 1998 being the primary factor in his retirement.
6. Assessment and Legacy
Henrique Arlindo Etges is remembered as a Brazilian defender, particularly for his contributions as a centre-back. While detailed club statistics for much of his career in Brazil are scarce, his participation in prominent Brazilian clubs like Corinthians highlights his standing in domestic football. His most notable achievement came at the international youth level, where he was a key member of the Brazil U-20 national team that clinched the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship. This victory cemented his place in the history of Brazilian youth football and showcased his capabilities on the global stage. Despite his career being cut short by injuries, his legacy as a World Youth Champion remains a significant part of his professional narrative.