Donato (footballer)

Donato

Personal information
Full name	Donato Gama da Silva
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender / Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1983–1984	America	36	(1)
1984–1988	Vasco Gama	49	(0)
1988–1993	Atlético Madrid	163	(11)
1993–2003	Deportivo La Coruña	303	(38)
International career
1994–1996	Spain	12	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Donato Gama da Silva (born December 30, 1962), simply Donato, is a retired Brazilian-born Spanish footballer, during the 1990s and early 2000s.

He played most of his professional career in Spain - 15 years and more than 500 official games - most notably with Deportivo de La Coruña, being part of the Super Depor squads that won several major titles, including the 2000 La Liga championship, the club's only; additionally, he also represented his country of adoption's national team.

Having started his career as a central midfielder, Donato finished it as a central defender, at almost 41. He was a strong but technical player, who was able both to destroy the opposition's attacks and to help generate his own team's.

Club career

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Donato began his 23-year professional career with Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama in 1980, and played there for the following eight years, after which he joined Spain's Atlético Madrid, as one of the first signings of elusive chairman Jesús Gil. With the colchoneros, he won back-to-back Spanish Cups.

Donato moved to Deportivo de La Coruña in 1993; alongside players like Bebeto, Mauro Silva, Miroslav Đukić and Fran, he was crucial to the team's firm establishment in both the domestic league and European competitions, as he netted an impressive 18 league goals in his first two seasons combined (often from free kicks, one of his main assets). He continued to contribute heavily for the Galicians in the subsequent seasons, helping the club win two domestic cups, and the historical 1999–2000's national championship (scoring three times in 29 contests).

In 2002, Donato broke a 43-year old record, by becoming the oldest goalscorer in La Liga history. He also holds the record for the most matches played in the country's top level by a player born outside of Spain, with 466 in 15 seasons.

Donato began his coaching career in Greece, as assistant manager at Aris Thessaloniki.

International career

After becoming a citizen of Spain in 1994, Donato was called to the national team, and earned 12 caps in a two-year span.

His debut arrived on 16 November 1994, starting (and scoring) in an UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier against Denmark, at the Sánchez Pizjuán. Subsequently, he was called-up for the Spanish squad at the final stages in England.

Honours

• Atlético Madrid:
  • Spanish Cup: 1990–91, 1991–92

• Deportivo:
  • Spanish League: 1999–2000
  • Spanish Cup: 1994–95, 2001–02
  • Spanish Supercup: 1995, 2000, 2002

External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional Template:Es icon
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data Template:Es icon
• Deportivo archives