Diego Barcelos

A Brazilian footballer Diego de Lima Barcelos plays as a striker for Nacional. He was born on 5 April 1985 in Porto Alegre.

He started his football grooming at Internacional youth system in the 1998/99 season. In 2000, Barcelos signed his first professional contract with the club. He made 54 appearances and amassed 10 goals during the first five seasons. Barcelos didn’t have enough playing time, that’s why a decision to send him on loan was taken. In 2005, he joined Santos, making 12 appearances and scoring 1 goal for the temporary squad. In 2006, Diego played on loan at Figueirense. Over the course of a season, the footballer appeared only few times, netting 3 goals. In January 2007, the striker was loaned out to Sport Recite where he featured in 10 matches during half a year.

In the summer 2007, the footballer signed a permanent deal with Marília. But Diego didn’t manage to fit in the team, so he was sent on loan to a Chinese side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. The 2007/2008 season was lined with 26 appearances and 6 goals. The management of the Chinese club decided to buy out Diego’s contract and the 2009/2010 season Barcelos spent as the permanent player of the team, making 25 appearances and netting 3 goals.

In the summer 2010, the striker left for Nacional. He shortly established himself as a prominent figure in the team and regularly appeared as a starter.

In 2004, Diego got his first call for the Brazil U-20 team. All in all, he made 6 appearances and scored 1 goal during the 2004/2005 season.