A Name to Remember: Washington
By: Bob | August 23rd, 2006
His full name is Washington Stecanela Cerqueira, but in true Brazilian football fashion he is simply known as Washington. Perhaps the first player to ever play in the J-League bearing the name of an American president, Washington is a field general for the Urawa Red Diamonds.
So far this season he has scored 14 goals and if he keeps up that pace he too might get his face plastered on currency or have a city named after him.
Goal scoring is Washington’s claim to fame. He netted 30 goals for the Turkish club Fenerbahçe in 2002-03 before his life was turned upside down when it was discovered that he had a serious heart condition. After sitting out a bit, he returned to lead the Brazilian league in goals with 34 for his new club Atlético Paranaense and he earned a new nickname: Coração Valente (Brave Heart).
At 31 years of age, it is unlikely that Washington will end up on a big club in a big league in the future, which is just as well since there are few things cooler than hearing a Japanese commentator calling out the name of a Brazilian named Washington after he scores a goal.
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Category: World Football
Tags: Atletico Paranaense, Fenerbahce, J-League, Japan, Urawa Red Diamonds, Washington, Washington Stecanela CerqueiraSubscribe
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Comments
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That is one head to remember. Possibly the squarest ever. Maybe it is his secret weapon in the air.
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United States
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Nice blog. Just FYI, Washington is not an uncommon first name in Brazil. There are also lots of Kennedys. And lots of streets named after both presidents.
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United States
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