Belletti is removed, the hero of Paris

Sometimes in football action may impact on the imagination of the amateur. For example, to me whenever I talk about Martin Palermo remember the three penalties in the Copa America yore ago and some years old. The same happens in reverse, as Pedja Mijatovic, he found his goal for the seventh Champions League Juventus to Real Madrid. In this context, the Barcelona until recently had an idol above all: Ronald Koeman, author of both Sampdoria in 1992 that gave Barcelona the European Cup in its history. The Dutch had the privilege of being the only defense to another, this time the Brazilian went to cross the road Barcelona: Juliano Haus Belletti.

This lateral charged into the history of Barça a May 17, 2006, when the final in Paris in the Champions League scored the 2-1 in the end give the second and long awaited 'Orejona' to the Catalans. Ni Ronaldinho, Deco and or Xavi. The memory of that day is a player who, almost in tears, held its first official goal with elastic Blaugrana. Belletti came to Barcelona a year earlier, from Villarreal, and soon took ownership in the team of Frank Rijkaard. Footballer humble, was known to have good shot and even had shown him in some friendlies. What even he imagined is that debut in this side on a stage so auspicious and magical for Barcelona.

Two seasons after that as early as 2007, he went to Chelsea with a lasting memory under his arm. In England also scored the odd great goal, but none similar in importance to that achieved in Paris. Like the hero of the city of love is known in Barcelona and no wonder, for when his shoe to beat Almunia put an end to 15 years of wandering in the wilderness in the continental showpiece. After a stint in the Premiership, where he spent another three seasons, and surpassed his thirties, returned to his native Brazil to play first in the Fluminense and in which it was his last club, Ceará.

Already burdened by injuries that prevented him from providing an optimal level, Belletti has decided to hang up his boots after 35 years with countless titles in the pocket and above all be remembered for the Barcelona fan as 'the hero of Paris' .

Photos | borja iza | argazkiak and Arnau (BCN)