Denilson started at São Paulo Futebol Clube, the same club where Raí, Cafu, Leonardo, Juninho, Kaká and plenty more started on their footballing journey. Denilson joined at the end of their dominance under coach Telê Santana, who after leading the club to 2 Copa Libertadore tites, 2 inter continental championships and 8 other championships left the club in 1996 due to health reasons. Denilson was still perforing well and earned his first call-up to the Brazil side in a friendly against Cameroon.in 1997 Denilson had played his way into the Brazil side which was victorious in the Copa America, beating hosts Bolivia 3-1 to win their 5th title. It was here where he caught the eye of Real Betis. In the same year he added a FIFA Confederations Cup medal to his collection.
In 1998 Denilson was now the Worlds most expensive footballer. Real Betis paid the Brazilian club £21.5million for the player, he never lived up to the price tag. In his second season there Betis were relegated to the Segunda division. staring at a season in the unknown, in an attempt to regain the form they paid money for, he was loaned back to Brazil. This time to Flamenco were he played 11 times, scoring 3 goals. He was prematurely recalled due to Flamenco falling behind with payments. He spearheaded a return back to La Liga in 2001, he remained at the club until 2005 picking up a Copa del Ray winners medal in his last season. He was also part of the victorious 2002 World Cup squad. He was mainly used as a substitute, making 5 appearances off the bench.Four seasons before his contract was up he was on the move this time to French side Bordeaux. After a slow start he regained some form towards the latter part of the season finishing 2nd in the league (25 points behind Lyon). Even with the money coming from the Champions League, the club could not meet his ludicrous wage demands so he struck gold in Saudi Arabia, and after 1 season in France he moved to Al Nassr (older readers will remember Don Revie who left the England job for pastures new in the UAE where he managed their national team, he managed Al Nassr after he left that job) After 15 appearances and lined his pockets with money he went across the world.
His next port of call was Dallas FC where he was there designated player for a season. 2 goals in 11 league appearances was not good enough for coach Steve Morrow, after leaving him out of the squad for the US Open Cup final he said that 'Denílson would need to earn a spot in the starting lineup like everybody else' he lasted the 1 season before Brazil beckoned again, at Palmeiras where he spent a season, once again mainly used as a substitute, he did however help them win the São Paula state championship.
As his Palmeiras contract was nearing expiration Gary Megson, bored of hoof ball at Bolton Wanderers, handed the World Cup winner to prove himself worthy of a contract. Megson decided not to offer him a contract and stick with Gavin McCann insead. So Denilson headed back to Bazil, briefly and a 3 month stay at Itumbiara was followed by the bizarre move to play for Vietnamese side Xi Măng Hải Phòng in 2009, where he became the highest paid player in the history of the V-League. After scoring after 2 minutes and setting up another in his first appearance, he left the club at half time. in 2010 he signed a 2 year contract with Greek side AO Kavala, but after 3 months and no appearances through injury, he was released from his contract.
So what made Denilson turn from a Brazilian wonder kid to a worldwide journeyman? Hype. He believed his own. Denilson thought he was worth £21.5million when he wasn't. He couldn't handle the pressure of carrying a poor Betis side. When he realised he was never going to be the worlds best player he lost his way.
Here is his only goal for Xi Măng Hải Phòn, a wonderful free-kick to send the whole crowd mental.
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