Emerson Aparecido Leite de Souza Junior (born 14 January 1999), known as Emerson Royal or simply Emerson, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club AC Milan and the Brazil national team. Mainly a right-back, he can be deployed as centre-back and full-back position.
.jpg) Emerson playing for Atlético Mineiro in 2018 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emerson Aparecido Leite de Souza Junior[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 14 January 1999[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | São Paulo, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | |||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | AC Milan | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 22 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| Condor | |||||||||||||||||
| Unidos da Cordenonsi | |||||||||||||||||
| Guanabara | |||||||||||||||||
| Palmeiras | |||||||||||||||||
| Grêmio | |||||||||||||||||
| São Paulo | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2016 | Ponte Preta | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Ponte Preta | 19 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Atlético Mineiro | 23 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | → Betis (loan) | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2021 | Barcelona | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2021 | → Betis (loan) | 67 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2024 | Tottenham Hotspur | 79 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2024– | AC Milan | 11 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2019 | Brazil U20 | 11 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Brazil U23 | 10 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019– | Brazil | 10 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:37, 1 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 November 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
Early life
editEmerson was born in São Paulo and was raised in Americana.[4] He got his nickname "Royal" as his uncle said he resembled the mascot of the Royal-branded gelatin dessert sold in Brazil.[5]
Club career
editPonte Preta
editEmerson joined Ponte Preta's youth setup in 2014, after notably representing Palmeiras, São Paulo and Grêmio.[6][4] After appearing as an unused substitute in some matches of the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, he made his senior debut on 22 February 2017, replacing injured Artur in a 2–2 Campeonato Paulista away draw against Linense. Despite being booked and conceding a penalty, he was given his first start three days later, in a 1–0 home defeat of São Bernardo.[citation needed]
Emerson made his Série A debut on 5 November 2017, replacing injured John Kleber in a 2–0 loss at Bahia. He contributed with three league appearances during the campaign, as his side suffered relegation.[citation needed]
Promoted to the first team ahead of the 2018 season,[7] Emerson became a regular starter for Macaca, making 14 appearances in the 2018 Campeonato Paulista. On 2 April 2018, he scored his first professional goal, the winning one in the Campeonato Paulista do Interior final against Mirassol.[8]
Atlético Mineiro
editOn 27 April 2018, Emerson signed a five-year deal with Atlético Mineiro,[9] for a rumoured fee of R$5 million. As a part of the deal, Danilo Barcelos moved in the opposite direction on loan.[10]
Emerson made his debut for the club on 19 May 2018, shortly after turning 19, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win over rivals Cruzeiro.[11] Initially a backup to Patric, he ended the year with 23 league appearances. He scored his first goal in the top tier on 30 September, netting his team's third in a 5–2 home routing of Sport.[citation needed]
Real Betis and Barcelona
editOn 31 January 2019, Atlético announced the transfer of Emerson to Barcelona, effective as of July 2019, for €12.7 million.[12] The deal consisted of a joint financial operation between Barcelona and fellow La Liga side Real Betis, in which each club paid half of the transfer fee and retained a percentage of Emerson's economic rights. He was to become a Betis player in July 2019, with Barcelona holding the option of reacquiring him for €6 million in 2021.[13] Emerson initially joined Betis on loan from Atlético for the remainder of the 2018–19 season, during which period he made seven appearances for the club.[14] He then became a regular starter for the Andalusians, and scored his first goal abroad on 27 September 2019, but in a 1–5 loss to Villarreal. He scored 3 goals and added 6 assists that season in 34 appearances for Betis, only missing 3 La Liga games.
On 2 June 2021, Barcelona exercised their option to bring back Emerson for three seasons by paying Betis €9 million.[15][16]
Tottenham Hotspur
editOn the final day of the 2021 summer transfer window, Tottenham signed Emerson on a five-year deal for a reported £25.8 million transfer fee.[17] His debut was in the Premier League away to Crystal Palace which Tottenham lost 3–0 on 11 September.[18] On 3 April 2022, he scored his first goal for Tottenham in a 5–1 home win against Newcastle United.[19] On October 1, 2022, during the second half of Tottenham's Premier League away game against Arsenal, Royal received a straight red card for his tackle on Gabriel Martinelli. The team went on to lose 3–1 in the North London derby.[20] On 28 March 2023, the club announced he would undergo surgery on a knee injury he sustained on international duty with Brazil.[21] On August 13, 2023, Emerson Royal scored a drilled shot from outside the box to secure a 2–2 draw against Brentford on the opening game of the 2023–24 Premier League season. Due to a large amount of injuries at the club, Emerson filled in as a starter at left-back and centre-back as well as his natural right-back position throughout the first half of the season, widely impressing with his displays.[22] On 22 January 2024, it was reported that Tottenham Hotspur had rejected a £20 million bid from Saudi club Al-Nassr for Emerson.[22]
AC Milan
editOn 12 August 2024, Emerson joined Serie A club AC Milan on a four-year deal.[23]
International career
editEmerson was called up to the Brazil under-20 team for the 2017 Toulon Tournament.[24] He was the first-choice right-back at the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the 2019 Toulon Tournament, having won the latter with Brazil's under-23 side.[citation needed]
Emerson made his senior international debut for Brazil on 19 November 2019, coming off the bench in a 3–0 victory over South Korea.[25]
On 11 June 2021, Emerson was called up by manager Tite for the 2021 Copa América.[26] He made his tournament debut on 17 June, playing the last six minutes in a 4–0 thrashing of Peru in Brazil's second group match. Ten days later, he was given his first start as he played the full match in a 1–1 draw in their final group stage match against Ecuador. On 10 July, he played in the final, after coming on in the 76th minute in their 0–1 defeat against Argentina.[27]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 30 November 2024[28]
| Club | Season | League | State league | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Ponte Preta | 2016 | Série A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2018 | Série B | 0 | 0 | 14[c] | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |||
| Total | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |||
| Atlético Mineiro | 2018 | Série A | 23 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 1 | |||||
| Real Betis (loan) | 2018–19 | La Liga | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 1[d] | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | 33 | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | ||||||
| 2020–21 | 34 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 38 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 73 | 4 | — | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 79 | 5 | |||||
| Barcelona | 2021–22 | La Liga | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2021–22 | Premier League | 31 | 1 | — | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3[e] | 0 | — | 41 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23 | 26 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8[f] | 0 | — | 36 | 2 | ||||
| 2023–24 | 22 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 79 | 4 | — | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | — | 101 | 4 | ||||
| AC Milan | 2024–25 | Serie A | 11 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 5[f] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 192 | 9 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 11 | ||
- ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Copa del Rey and FA Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista
- ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
International
edit- As of match played 25 March 2023[29]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 10 | 0 | |
Honours
editPonte Preta
Brazil U23
Brazil
- Copa América runner-up: 2021[31]
Individual
- Toulon Tournament Best XI: 2019[32]
References
edit- ^ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Emerson Royal: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "Emerson Royal". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Lateral de Americana volta a ser chamado para a seleção" [Full back from Americana is called up again to the national team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Liberal. 2 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "¿Por qué Emerson llevará 'E.Royal' en la camiseta?". sport. 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Ele quase desistiu após ser dispensado por São Paulo e Grêmio. Hoje, será titular na Copa do Brasil" [He nearly quit after being released by São Paulo and Grêmio. Today, he will be the starter in the Copa do Brasil] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Paulistão: Lateral Emerson agradece Eduardo Baptista pela oportunidade na Ponte Preta" [Paulistão: Emerson thanks Eduardo Baptista for the opportunity at Ponte Preta] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Futebol Interior. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Golaço de Emerson contra o Mirassol dá o quarto título do Interior para a Ponte Preta" [Emerson's great goal against Mirassol gives the fourth title of the Countryside to Ponte Preta] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Lateral-direito Emerson comemora chegada ao Atlético" [Right-back Emerson celebrates arrival at Atlético] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Emerson no Atlético-MG, Danilo Barcelos na Ponte: clubes oficializam acordo" [Emerson at Atlético-MG, Danilo Barcelos at Ponte: clubs made deal official] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Emerson projeta evolução e busca fugir das sombras de Marcos Rocha e Patric" [Emerson plans on development and seeks to move away from the shadows of Marcos Rocha and Patric] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Atlético acerta transferência de Emerson" [Atlético complete transfer of Emerson] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "All the details from the 'Emerson Operation' between Real Betis and Barcelona". 23 January 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "El Real Betis incorpora al lateral brasileño Emerson" [Real Betis sign Brazilian full back Emerson] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "FC Barcelona sign Emerson". FC Barcelona. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Emerson Royal: Barcelona sign Brazil defender from Real Betis". BBC. 31 August 2021.
- ^ "Emerson Royal: Tottenham sign Barcelona defender but Serge Aurier leaves". BBC Sport. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (11 September 2021). "Crystal Palace 3 – 0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Tottenham Hotspur 5–1 Newcastle United". Premier League. 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Emerson Royal shown straight red card for disgusting challenge on Martinelli that left Arsenal furious". Goal.com. 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Spurs defender Emerson to undergo knee surgery". Reuters. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b Guest, Rob (21 January 2024). "Shock Emerson transfer bid hands Lange and Postecoglou Tottenham no-brainer". Football London. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Statement: Emerson Royal". AC Milan. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Seleção Sub-20 convocada para o Torneio de Toulon" [Under-20 national team called up for the Toulon Tournament] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Confederação Brasileira de Futebol. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Brazil end five-game winless run by beating South korea". BBC Sport. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Araujo and Emerson, called up for the Copa America". FC Barcelona. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Argentina beat Brazil at the Maracanã to win the CONMEBOL Copa America". www.copaamerica.com. 10 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ Emerson at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Emerson Royal". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Festival International Espoirs Football Tournoi Maurice Revello Toulon". festival-foot-espoirs.com.
- ^ "Argentina vs. Brazil - Football Match Summary - July 10, 2021". ESPN.
- ^ "Maurice Revello Tournament 2019 Best XI". Maurice Revello Tournament. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
External links
edit- Profile at the AC Milan website
- Emerson Royal – UEFA competition record (archive)
