Célio Santos

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is Dos Santos.

Célio Ferreira dos Santos (born July 20, 1987), or simply Célio Santos, is a Brazilian former footballer who plays as a defender.

Célio Santos

Personal information
Full name	Célio Ferreira dos Santos
Date of birth	(1987-07-20) 20 July 1987 (age 38)
Place of birth	Paracatu, Brazil
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Youth career
2004–2005	URT-MG
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006	Ferroviário AC
2006–2008	AA Ponte Preta
2009	Cascavel CR
2009	→ AA Ponte Preta (loan)
2009–2010	Shaanxi Zhongjian Chanba	6	(0)
2010–2011	Belenenses	17	(0)
2011–2012	Dacia Chișinău	27	(3)
2012–2014	Tavriya Simferopol	26	(1)
2015	Tractor Sazi	9	(1)
2015	Al-Shaab CSC	11	(0)
2016	Avaí	12	(0)
2016	Ulsan Hyundai	10	(1)
2017–2018	Muangthong United	33	(1)
2020–2021	Santa Cruz	21	(1)
2021–2022	Kasetsart	31	(0)
2023–2024	Kuching City	13	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 September 2023

Eligibility controversy

An inquiry held by the Prime Minister of East Timor in 2016, heard that Celio Santos was one of seven Brazilian men's footballers to receive falsified baptism documents from Timor's Catholic Church, in order to make it appear he was eligible for Timorese nationality.^[1]

All seven players were based in Asia at the time, but only one, Juninho, has played for Timor's controversial national side.

It is unclear when Célio Santos received his Timorese passport, which he received despite having no known means of eligibility, such as a family connection, or residency.^[2]

Honours

Club

SCG Muangthong United

• Thai League Cup (1): 2017
• Mekong Club Championship (1): 2017