Kléberson
A Brazilian midfielder whose precise passing and World Cup-winning pedigree brought a touch of Samba flair to teams across three continents.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Brazilian footballer·Birthday: June 19·Generation X
Biography
Kléberson's career trajectory was launched into the stratosphere by the 2002 World Cup, where his composed performances in Brazil's midfield were crucial to their fifth title. His move to Manchester United was meant to cement his status among the global elite, but injuries and adaptation struggles limited his impact at Old Trafford. What followed was a footballing odyssey that took him to Turkey, back to Brazil, and finally to the United States, where he became a cult figure for the Philadelphia Union and helped them reach their first playoff final. His game was built on vision and a deceptively powerful shot, qualities that shone brightly in flashes across a long career. Now as a coach, he imparts the lessons from his unique journey, from the pinnacle of world football to the challenges of rebuilding a reputation.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Kléberson was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kléberson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Kléberson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002, starting in the knockout stage victories over Belgium and England.
- Won the Turkish Cup with Besiktas in 2006.
- Helped the Philadelphia Union reach the MLS Cup Playoffs Final in 2021 as a player development coach.
Did You Know?
He was originally recommended to Manchester United by their then-assistant coach, Carlos Queiroz.
He scored his first Premier League goal with a spectacular 30-yard strike against Tottenham Hotspur.
After retiring, he served as a player-coach for the Philadelphia Union's USL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel.
“Winning the World Cup with Brazil is a feeling that can never be taken from you.”
