1. Overview
Renan Augustinho Marques (Renan Augustinho MarquesPortuguese), commonly known as Renan Marques, is a Brazilian retired professional football player who primarily played as a striker. Born on March 8, 1983, in São Paulo State, Brazil, Renan Marques embarked on a diverse international career spanning several continents. His journey took him through clubs in Brazil, the Czech Republic, China, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and significantly, Thailand, where he spent a considerable portion of his later career. Known for his powerful presence as a forward, Renan Marques left a notable mark on the various leagues he competed in before his retirement from professional football.
2. Early life and career beginnings
Renan Marques' early life laid the foundation for a career that would see him play across the globe, beginning with his initial steps in Brazilian football.
2.1. Birth and youth
Renan Augustinho Marques was born on March 8, 1983, in São Paulo State, Brazil. He developed into a physically imposing player, standing at 6.1 ft (1.85 m) tall, a stature that would later define his playing style as a formidable forward.
2.2. Early career development
Marques began his professional football journey in his native Brazil, first appearing for Botafogo in 2007. This initial period in Brazil set the stage for his subsequent ventures into international football leagues.
3. Club career
Renan Marques' career was marked by numerous transfers and stints with clubs across various leagues, showcasing his adaptability and consistent performance as a goalscorer.
3.1. Brazil and other international clubs
Following his time at Botafogo, Renan Marques began a series of moves to clubs in different countries, broadening his experience in international football. In 2007, he moved to the Czech Republic on loan to Dynamo České Budějovice, where he made 3 appearances. His career then took him to Asia, playing for Sichuan in 2008, where he had a prolific spell, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances. He continued in China with Shenzhen Ruby in 2009, making 8 appearances.
He then returned to Europe, joining Santa Clara in Portugal from 2009 to 2010. Subsequently, he moved to the Middle East, playing for Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates between 2010 and 2011. In 2012, he returned to Brazil to play for Paulista, where he recorded 2 goals in 14 appearances. In 2013, he briefly played for América de Natal, appearing in 2 matches.
The table below summarizes his statistics for these clubs:
| Club | Year(s) | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botafogo | 2007 | 0 | 0 |
| Dynamo České Budějovice | 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| Sichuan | 2008 | 22 | 11 |
| Shenzhen Ruby | 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| Santa Clara | 2009-2010 | 0 | 0 |
| Baniyas | 2010-2011 | 0 | 0 |
| Paulista | 2012 | 14 | 2 |
| América de Natal | 2013 | 2 | 0 |
3.2. K League stint
In 2012, Renan Marques ventured into South Korean football, joining K League club Jeju United FC. During his time with Jeju United, his registration name was simply "Marques". He wore the number 40 jersey and made a total of 13 appearances in the K League, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist for the club.
3.3. Thai League career
Renan Marques had a significant and productive period in the Thai League, joining multiple clubs and establishing himself as a notable goalscorer. Towards the end of 2013, he underwent a trial with Chiangrai United FC in the Thai Premier League. Impressed by his performance, the club signed him to a two-year contract, where he was assigned the number 14 jersey. During his tenure at Chiangrai United from 2014 to 2015, he played in 67 matches and scored 27 goals.
After his contract with Chiangrai United concluded, Renan Marques immediately signed with Sukhothai FC in 2016, where he donned the number 33 shirt. At Sukhothai FC, he continued his strong scoring form, netting 15 goals in 25 appearances. In 2017, he made another move within the Thai League, joining Chonburi FC. He was unveiled alongside fellow player André Luiz and once again wore the number 14 jersey. During his time at Chonburi FC, he participated in 33 matches and scored 27 goals.
Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, his contract with Chonburi FC ended, and he transferred to Air Force Central for the 2018 season. At Air Force Central, he played in 12 matches and scored 3 goals. Later in 2018, he moved to Khon Kaen FC, competing in Thai League 2.
The table below summarizes his statistics during his time in the Thai League:
| Club | Year(s) | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiangrai United | 2014-2015 | 67 | 27 |
| Sukhothai FC | 2016 | 25 | 15 |
| Chonburi FC | 2017 | 33 | 27 |
| Air Force Central | 2018 | 12 | 3 |
| Khon Kaen FC | 2018 | (unknown) | (unknown) |
4. Playing style and position
Renan Augustinho Marques primarily operated as a striker or forward throughout his professional career. His playing style was characterized by his physical presence and effectiveness in front of goal. His height, standing at 6.1 ft (1.85 m), provided him with an advantage in aerial duels and allowed him to be a strong target man for his teams. He was known for his ability to convert scoring opportunities, as evidenced by his consistent goal-scoring record across various leagues, particularly during his time in China and Thailand.
5. Retirement
Renan Augustinho Marques concluded his professional football career, retiring after a long and extensive period playing for numerous clubs in different countries. His retirement marked the end of a career that spanned over a decade, during which he showcased his skills as a forward in various competitive leagues.
6. Legacy and evaluation
Renan Augustinho Marques' career can be evaluated as that of a dedicated professional who adapted to multiple footballing environments. His most impactful periods were arguably in the Chinese and Thai leagues, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to score goals and contribute significantly to his teams. While he may not have achieved widespread international fame, his career highlights his commitment to the sport and his effectiveness as a forward in diverse football cultures across Asia, Europe, and his native Brazil. His journey reflects the global nature of modern football, where players often ply their trade across different continents to extend their careers and find new opportunities.