Ricardo Goulart Pereira (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁiˈkaʁdu ɡuˈlaʁ]; born 5 June 1991), known as Ricardo Goulart, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Ricardo Goulart
Goulart with Guangzhou in 2016
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Goulart Pereira[1]
Date of birth (1991-06-05) 5 June 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth São José dos Campos, Brazil
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1998–2005 Moreira's Sport
2006–2009 Santo André
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Santo André 34 (6)
2010–2011Internacional (loan) 17 (5)
2012 Goiás 55 (21)
2013–2014 Cruzeiro 79 (29)
2015–2021 Guangzhou FC 117 (78)
2019Palmeiras (loan) 9 (3)
2020Hebei China Fortune (loan) 18 (4)
2022 Santos 20 (3)
2022–2023 Bahia 22 (5)
Total 371 (154)
International career
2014 Brazil 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Goulart started his career with Santo André in 2009, and remained at the club until 2011, with a loan to Internacional. He played the 2012 season Goiás in the second tier, before joining Cruzeiro the following year.

At Cruzeiro, Goulart cemented a place in the first team, and during his two-year stint, he made a total of 99 appearances and scored 34 times, winning the 2014 Brasileiro with the club. His personal awards include the 2014 Bola de Ouro, besides featuring in the team of the season. In 2015, he entered Asian football by signing for Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, where he won the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League in his first season.

Goulart made his international debut for the Brazil national football team against Colombia in 2014.

Club career

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Santo André

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Born in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Goulart joined Santo André's youth setup in 2006, after failed trials at São Paulo, São Caetano, Taubaté and Paulista.[2] In the 2009 season, after being the under-20's top scorer in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, he was then promoted to the first team.

Goulart made his first team debut for Ramalhão on 25 February 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring the equalizer in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista home win over Ituano.[3] He scored four times in 12 appearances in the competition, as the club finished sixth.

Goulart made his Série A debut on 24 May 2009, replacing Antônio Flávio in a 1–2 home loss against Flamengo.[4] He scored his first goal in the category on 25 July, but in a 2–3 loss at Grêmio,[5] and featured sparingly in the league as his side suffered relegation.

Loan to Internacional

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On 19 May 2010, Goulart was loaned to Internacional for one year,[6] and was initially assigned to the B-team.

After winning the 2010 Copa FGF with the B's, Goulart was included in the main squad ahead of the 2011 campaign,[7] and started the season as a starter. However, after the arrival of Dorival Júnior as manager, he lost space in the main squad and returned to his parent club when his loan expired in December 2011; Santo André also refused to keep him, and he was subsequently released.[8]

Goiás

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On 28 December 2011, Goulart agreed to a contract with Série B Goiás for the ensuing campaign.[9] He made his debut for the club on 22 January, starting in a 5–0 Campeonato Goiano home routing of Aparecidense, and scored his first goal three days later in a 4–2 win at Morrinhos.

An immediate starter, Goulart won the 2012 Campeonato Goiano and the 2012 Série B with the side, scoring 25 goals overall and providing 14 assists as the club returned to the top tier.[10] He notably scored three braces in the campaign, against Goianésia (2–1 home win), Ipatinga (6–0 away win) and Guaratinguetá (3–0 away win).

Cruzeiro

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On 5 January 2013, Goulart was announced at Cruzeiro in the top tier.[11] He made his debut for the club on 3 February, starting in a 2–1 Campeonato Mineiro home win over rivals Atlético Mineiro, and scored his first goal on 24 March in a 2–1 home win over Caldense.[12]

Goulart was the league top scorer of Cruzeiro in his first season (along with Borges), scoring 10 goals as the club lifted the trophy. In August 2014, after winning the 2014 Mineiro, he was targeted by French club Monaco, but the offer was refused by Cruzeiro.[13]

In the 2014 Copa Libertadores, Goulart was again the club's top goalscorer (along with Bruno Rodrigo), scoring four goals (including a hat-trick in a 5–1 home routing of Universidad de Chile) as his side was knocked out in the quarterfinals. In the year's Série A, he scored 15 goals and was the club's top goalscorer as they lifted a second consecutive league title.[14][15] He was also named in the team of the season by CBF,[16] and won the Bola de Ouro and Bola de Prata awards by Placar.[17]

Guangzhou Evergrande

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First seasons

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In early January 2015, Goulart was linked to a move away from Cruzeiro to China and Mexico.[18] On 13 January, he signed for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for 15 million, on a four-year contract, being handed the no 11 jersey.[19] It was the highest transfer fee paid by a Chinese club.[20]

Goulart made his debut on 14 February 2015, replacing countryman Renê Júnior in a match against Shandong Luneng in Chinese Super Cup.[21] He scored his first goal for his club on 25 February, in an AFC Champions League match against FC Seoul.[22] He then scored a hat-trick in the same competition, against the defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers on 4 March.[23] For his performance he was praised by manager Fabio Cannavaro who said "Goulart is undoubtedly a great player. As an individual player or as a team player he is helping us significantly".[24]

Goulart's goal scoring form continued, as he again found the net by scoring a brace against Japanese club Kashima Antlers on 18 March 2015.[25] In the league, he scored 19 goals as the club won their fifth title in a row.

On 22 February 2016, Goulart extended his contract with Guangzhou Evergrande to 31 January 2020.[26] He again scored 19 league goals in that year, as the club won their sixth consecutive title. In 2017, he scored a career-best 20 goals, with Guangzhou winning another title.

Loan to Palmeiras and return

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On 15 January 2019, Goulart moved to Palmeiras on a one-year deal, with a buyout clause.[27] On 23 May, after struggling with injuries and only 12 matches, his loan was cut short and he returned to his parent club.[28]

Goulart struggled with knee injuries for the remainder of the 2019 season, and did not play a single minute as the club had four foreign players registered.

Loan to Hebei China Fortune

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On 19 July 2020, Goulart joined Hebei China Fortune on loan for the remainder of the year.[29] He contributed with 18 appearances for the side, as they were knocked out of the league by his parent club.

2021 season

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Back to Guangzhou for the 2021 campaign, Goulart featured sparingly before terminating his contract in November 2021 in a mutual consent. It was reported that due to the financial difficulties of the club, the club failed to pay his wage.[30]

Santos

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On 11 January 2022, free agent Goulart was announced at Santos back in his home country, after agreeing to a two-year contract.[31] He made his debut for the club on 2 February, starting in a 2–1 away win over rivals Corinthians.[32]

Goulart scored his first goal for Peixe on 13 February 2022, netting the winner in a 2–1 home success over Ituano.[33] However, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, and terminated his contract with the club on 12 July.[34]

Bahia

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On 2 August 2022, Goulart joined Bahia.[35]

Retirement

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At a press conference on 24 April 2023, Goulart announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.[36]

International career

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On 19 August 2014, Goulart was called up to the Brazil national team for two matches against Colombia and Ecuador by new manager Dunga.[37] After being an unused substitute against the former,[38] he made his full international debut on 9 September, in a 1–0 victory against the latter.[39]

Having only played a friendly match for Brazil, Goulart was subsequently naturalized as a Chinese citizen, being one of the six football players at the time who had no Chinese ancestry to have been naturalized as Chinese citizens, with another notable player being Elkeson, another former Brazilian.[40] However, it became unclear whether he would be able to represent the national team, as he did not complete the five-year residency rules after leaving the country between October 2018 and May 2019.[41]

Style of play

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A versatile, tenacious, and physically strong attacking midfielder, with an eye for goal, Goulart is also capable of playing as a forward, through the centre, or as a winger, on either flank.[42][43][44][45] He is known in particular for his powerful ball striking, and his ability to make attacking runs into the area.[45]

Personal life

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In 2009, Goulart married Diane.[46] His brother Juninho is also a footballer, best known for his tenure with MLS club LA Galaxy.[47]

Goulart became a naturalised Chinese citizen on 17 July 2019.[40] After leaving Guangzhou in November 2021, Chinese media reported that he gave up on his Chinese nationality as he returned to Brazil,[48] but he was still registered as a foreigner in the 2022 season, as he did not start the documentation process to get back his Brazilian nationality.[49]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 2 April 2023.[50][51]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[a] National cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Santo André 2009 Série A 14 1 12 4 26 5
2010 Série A 0 0 8 1 8 1
Total 14 1 20 5 34 6
Internacional (loan) 2010 Série A 0 0 13[c] 6 13 6
2011 Série A 10 1 7 4 1[d] 0 18 5
Total 10 1 7 4 1 0 13 6 31 11
Goiás 2012 Série B 34 12 21 9 8 4 63 25
Cruzeiro 2013 Série A 33 10 10 3 6 1 49 14
2014 Série A 26 15 10 1 5 0 9[d] 4 50 20
Total 59 25 20 4 11 1 9 4 99 34
Guangzhou Evergrande 2015 Chinese Super League 27 19 0 0 14[e] 8 4[f] 0 45 27
2016 Chinese Super League 29 19 7 4 6[e] 3 1[g] 2 43 28
2017 Chinese Super League 29 20 1 0 10[e] 7 1[g] 0 41 27
2018 Chinese Super League 19 13 0 0 8[e] 7 1[g] 1 28 21
2020 Chinese Super League 0 0 0 0 4[e] 0 4 0
2021 Chinese Super League 13 7 0 0 0 0 13 7
Total 117 78 8 4 42 25 7 3 174 110
Palmeiras (loan) 2019 Série A 1 0 8 3 0 0 3[d] 1 12 4
Hebei China Fortune (loan) 2020 Chinese Super League 18 4 0 0 18 4
Santos 2022 Série A 11 0 9 3 4 1 6[h] 0 30 4
Bahia 2022 Série B 16 2 16 2
2023 Série A 0 0 10 3 1 0 5[i] 0 16 3
Total 16 2 10 3 1 0 5 0 32 5
Career total 280 123 95 31 32 10 61 30 25 9 493 203
  1. ^ Includes Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Gaúcho, Campeonato Mineiro, Campeonato Goiano, Campeonato Baiano
  2. ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Chinese FA Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Copa FGF
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  5. ^ a b c d e Appearances in AFC Champions League
  6. ^ One appearance in Chinese Super Cup, three appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  7. ^ a b c Appearance in Chinese Super Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  9. ^ Appearances in Copa do Nordeste

International

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As of 6 January 2022[50]
Brazil
Year Apps Goals
2014 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Club

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Internacional

Cruzeiro[50]

Guangzhou Evergrande

Bahia

Individual

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2015. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Cavalo sumido e perda da mãe transformaram Ricardo Goulart de 'gordo' em Bola de Ouro" [Missing horse and loss of mother turned Ricardo Goulart from 'fat' to the Bola de Ouro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Em dois minutos, Santo André vira diante do Ituano e cola no G-4" [In two minutes, Santo André complete a comeback over Ituano and get closer to the G-4] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Inspirado, Josiel dá vitória ao Flamengo sobre o Santo André" [Inspired, Josiel gives the victory to Flamengo over Santo André] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Com show de Souza, Grêmio vira e vence o Santo André por 3 a 2" [With a show from Souza, Grêmio complete a comeback and defeat Santo André by 3–2] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Santo Andre negocia meia Ricardo Goulart com o Inter" [Santo André negotiate midfielder Ricardo Goulart with Inter] (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Destaque no Inter B, Ricardo Goulart sonha em Libertadores e Seleção" [Spotlight at Inter B, Ricardo Goulart dreams with Libertadores and the national team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Gaúcho. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Santo André descarta meia Ricardo Goulart" [Santo André discard midfielder Ricardo Goulart] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Grande ABC. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  9. ^ "David e Ricardo Goulart acertam com o Goiás; dupla já treinou pelo novo clube" [David and Ricardo Goulart have signed with Goiás; duo already trained for their new club] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Sem Egídio e Ricardo Goulart, Goiás perde duas referências no ataque" [Without Edígio and Ricardo Goulart, Goiás lose two key units in the attack] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Cruzeiro anuncia as contratações de Ricardo Goulart, Lucca e Nirley" [Cruzeiro announce the signings of Ricardo Goulart, Lucca and Nirley] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Cruzeiro EC. 5 January 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Após primeiro gol pelo Cruzeiro, Ricardo Goulart almeja mostrar seu lado artilheiro" [After first goal for Cruzeiro, Ricardo Goulart aims to show his goalscoring side] (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Tempo. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Cruzeiro recusou 16mi de euros do Monaco por Ricardo Goulart" [Cruzeiro refused 16mi euros from Monaco for Goulart] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Cruzeiro win second successive Brazilian title". Mirror. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Rodeado por troféus, Ricardo Goulart agradece as conquistas de 2014" [Surrounded by trophies, Ricardo Goulart thanks the achievements of 2014] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Everton Ribeiro é eleito o melhor do Brasileirão; veja a seleção de 2014" [Everton Ribeiro is named the best of the Brasileirão; see the XI of 2014] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Bola de Ouro, Goulart comemora: 'Vai ficar marcado na vida inteira'" [Bola de Ouro, Goulart celebrates: 'It will be marked in my entire life'] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Cruzeiro recebe proposta por Ricardo Goulart e jogador pode estar de saída para China" [Cruzeiro receive an offer for Ricardo Goulart and player may be on his way out to China] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Itatiaia. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  19. ^ "高拉特(Goulart)正式加盟广州队" (in Chinese). Guangzhou Evergrande. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Brazil's Ricardo Goulart signs for Guangzhou". Yahoo. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Guangzhou vs Shandong". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Guangzhou Evergrande 1 - 0 FC Seoul". The AFC. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Western Sydney Wanderers 2 - 3 Guangzhou Evergrande". The AFC. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  24. ^ "Guangzhou getting great value from Goulart says gleeful gaffer". The AFC. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  25. ^ "Ricardo Goulart inspirational for Guangzhou Evergrande in AFC Champions League". South China Morning Post. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  26. ^ "广州恒大淘宝足球俱乐部官方宣布与巴西外援高拉特正式续约" (in Chinese). Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  27. ^ "Ricardo Goulart é o novo reforço do Verdão para a temporada 2019" [Ricardo Goulart is the new addition of Verdão for the 2019 season] (in Brazilian Portuguese). SE Palmeiras. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  28. ^ "Ricardo Goulart rescinde com Palmeiras e volta para a China" [Ricardo Goulart rescinds with Palmeiras and returns to China] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Hebei Fortune, da China, anuncia Ricardo Goulart, ex-Palmeiras e Cruzeiro" [Hebei Fortune, from China, announce Ricardo Goulart, formerly of Palmeiras and Cruzeiro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). TNT Sports. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  30. ^ Cheng Jinchao (成金朝) (12 November 2021). "Zǒule! Gāolātè quánjiā líhuá: Yǐjīng jiěyuēle líkāi shì zuìhǎo xuǎnzé" 走了!高拉特全家离华:已经解约了 离开是最好选择. NetEase Sport (网易体育) (in Chinese). Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  31. ^ "A 10 do Rei tem novo dono: Ricardo Goulart é anunciado como reforço do Santos FC" [The King's number 10 has a new owner: Ricardo Goulart is announced as an addition of Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Carille analisa estreia de Goulart e destaca importância do meia: "Jogador inteligente"" [Carille analyses Goulart's debut and plays up the midfielder's importance: "Smart player"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Terra. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Ricardo Goulart vibra com primeiro gol pelo Santos, mas admite que time enfrenta dificuldades" [Ricardo Goulart celebrates first goal for Santos, but admits that the team is facing difficulties] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Santos acerta a rescisão do contrato de Ricardo Goulart" [Santos agree the rescision of Ricardo Goulart's contract] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Ex-Guangzhou attacker Goulart joins Bahia". Xinhua. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Ricardo Goulart confirma aposentadoria aos 31 anos: "Temos que saber nos retirar"" [Ricardo Goulart confirms retirement at the age of 31: "We have to know how to retire"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  37. ^ Dunga Announces First Brazil Squad Since Taking Over as Manager
  38. ^ "Brazil vs Colombia". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  39. ^ "Goulart eyes Copa America showdown with 'genius' Messi". Goal. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  40. ^ a b "China's National Soccer Team Accepts First Naturalized Citizen". sixthtone.com. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  41. ^ "Goulart waiting to answer China's call". China.org.cn. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  42. ^ James Young (21 January 2015). "Why are so many Brazilian players heading to the Chinese Super League?". ESPN FC. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  43. ^ Aswin Sankar (12 January 2016). "Ricardo Goulart says Dunga will more closely follow the Brazilians in China". Sambafoot. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  44. ^ Antonio Guerra (25 November 2014). "Ribeiro e Goulart, gioielli del Cruzeiro seguiti dalla Juventus. Classe '89 e '91, Marotta ha in agenda i nomi dei due esterni brasiliani da pochi giorni campioni del Brasile" [Ribeiro and Goulart, Cruzeiro jewels followed by Juventus. Born in '89 and '91, Marotta has on his agenda the names of the two Brazilian wingers who have been champions of Brazil on a few days] (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  45. ^ a b Tiago Leme (19 August 2014). "Driblador, homem-surpresa e xerifão: Dunga destaca qualidades de trio de novatos" [Dribbler, surprise man and big sheriff: Dunga highlights the qualities of trio of newbies] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  46. ^ "Por trás dos artilheiros campeões do Cruzeiro há três 'cracaças' dignas de troféu". globo.com (in Portuguese). Globo Extra. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  47. ^ "Jogou com Beckham e conheceu Obama: Irmão de R. Goulart quer defender EUA" [He played with Beckham and met Obama: R. Goulart's brother wants to play for the US] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  48. ^ "Naturalized Chinese footballer Ricardo Goulart has returned to his native Brazil, giving up his Chinese nationality. He has asked Guangzhou FC, which is struggling financially and facing an uncertain future, to terminate his contract, Guangzhou-based Soccer News reports". Sports China. Twitter. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  49. ^ "Goulart segue chinês, e Santos tem 1º desafio contra limite de estrangeiros" [Goulart remains Chinese, and Santos have their first challenge against foreign players limit] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  50. ^ a b c Ricardo Goulart at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  51. ^ "高拉特". sodasoccer (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 April 2018. Archived 2019-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  52. ^ a b c "Hotshot Goulart adds awards to ACL title success". AFC. 22 November 2015.
  53. ^ 足协杯-黄博文世界波救主 恒大总分3-3苏宁夺冠 (in Chinese). Sports.sina.com.cn. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  54. ^ "Éverton Ribeiro leva o bi no Craque do Brasileirão; veja lista de premiados" [Éverton Ribeiro wins second consecutive Craque do Brasileirão; see the list of awarded players] (in Portuguese). SporTV. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
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