Jardel
Mário Jardel Almeida Ribeiro, born 18 September 1973 in Fortaleza, Brazil is a professional footballer.
Brasil
Jardel played for Vasco Da Gama, but moved in 1995 to Grémio Porto Alegre, where he won the Libertadores Cup.
FC Porto
In 1996, he was linked to several teams, and after failing a transfer to SL Benfica and Glasgow Rangers (due to the strict British rules involving non-EU players) he signed to portuguese side FC Porto, where with help from players such as Zlatko Zahovic, Sérgio Conceição and mainly Galatasaray before the 2000-2001 season.
Lost in Turkey
Scoring five games in his debut match might suggested he was going to adapt himself well to his new club, but injuries and familiar problems hinted he was going to move outside Turkey again. He ended the season with 22 Goals.
Return to Portugal
In 2001-2002, failed his turkish adventure, he tried to return to Portugal. The first team interested in his contract was SL Benfica, and was a major key in Manuel Vilarinho's campaign, but talks failed. Then, he returned to Porto, but his transfer was refused by coach Octávio Machado. Sporting appeared last, but took the player.
The 2001-2002 proved quite successful to Jardel - 42 goals in 30 games, and won both the Primeira Liga and the Portuguese Cup. He also captured his fifth gold boot.
The Oblivion
While the 2001-2002 season was arguably the best season in Jardel's carrer, the following season proven to be the start of the end of his carreer. Left outside the Brazilian national team again, this time for the 2002 World Cup (dispite his tremendous goal-scoring abilities he was rarely called) and unfit at the start of the season, he spent the most of it on the injury list.
While phisically he was only overweighted, medical reports shown a depressed Jardel. Some say it because of a discussion with Veiga (his agent), others pointed possible promiscuous behaviours by his wife, illegal gambling problems or drug abuse. In his Christmas break he returned to his native Fortaleza, where he injured his knee by falling on the pool. He scored only nine goals that season.
He was released by Sporting before the start of the 2003-3004 season. He moved to english side Bolton Wanderers, but haven't scored a goal in seven games. During the winter break, he moved to italian side Ancona, but never convinced the staff of his physical capabilities. By the end of the season, he quit european football, and tried to return at Corinthians, but also failed to pass physical exams.
On July 2004 Jardel signed a contract with Rosario side Newell's Old Boys, after rumours about a possible return to Portugal, to play in the newly promoted Penafiel, where his former team mate Ljubinko Drulovic plays and António Oliveira (his first Porto manager) assumed the chairman position.
