Brazilian National Team
Brazilian National Team
the yellow T-shirt.
The relatiosnhip between Leonardo ad the Brazilian National Team started in 2002, when he was called for the U-14. The defender played also in the U-15, but he achieved the main goals in the U-17. He played tournaments in Italy, England and Venezuela.
In this same year, Leonardo lived his best moment in the Brazilian National Team, when was called to play the U-17 World Cup, in Finland.
In the fisrt round Brazil won Portugal (5 x 0), Yemen (3 x 0) and tied Cameroon (1 x 1).
In the second round, Leonard was very important. He scored the first goal agaisnt USA and Brazil won 3 x 0. In semifinal, Brazil won Colombia (2 x0) and advanced to the final, where faced Spain, that could count with the young Cesc Fabregas, from Arsenal.
The final was played in Helsink. At the seventh minute, Leonardo scored the goal that would give the title to Brazil.
“Scoring the winning goal was incredible and i will never foprget. That day was very special for Brazil”, says the defender.
Maturation
In the following years, Leonardo was called for the U-20 National Team. The coach was Rene Weber. One more time, the defender played the South American Tournament, in Colombia, in 2005. And he would play one more World Cup, in Netherlands.
Brazil was in a group with Nigeria, Switzerland and South Korea.
The Brazilian Team had many important players as Diego, Rafael Sóbis, Diego Tardelli, Gladstone, Edcarlos, Rafinha and Bobô.
Brazil played the firts game against Nigeria and tied 0 x 0. After, won Switzerland (2 x 0) and South Korea (2 x 0).
In the round of sixteen, Brazil won Siria ( 1 x 0). The next opponent would be Germany. Leonardo played a good game and Brazil won (2 x 1).
In semifinal, Brazil faced Argentina and lost. The Argentinian Team could count with Messi. In the last game, Brazil won Morocco (2 x 1) and finished the World Coup in third place.
Unforgettable Moment
Leonardo conquered his space in Brazilian National Team playing great games in Santos, taht had won the Brazilian Championship. As he was older than 20, he couldn’t play in the U-20. So he was trasnfered to Shakhtar Donetsk, from Ukraine. Before that, coach Carlos Albeto Parreira called the defender to play a friendly game. And that was a special game. It was the last time that Romario worn the Brazilian T-shirt.
“Pacaembu Stadium was crowded. Romario scored a goal and . the country. It was one more amazing moment that I lived with the Brazilian National Team”, said the defender. That time Brazil faced Guatemala.
In total, Leonard was called 23 times for the National team. In Europe, the defender was fogotten. So, he decided to go back to Brazil, where would play in São Caetano and Vasco da Gama.“
