13 Sisenando Douglas Maicon

Maicon Douglas Sisenando is his full name, but if we just say "Maicon" you know exactly who we mean. One of the most talented and successful players in the world. 1 Brazilian league title, 1 Brazilian Cup, 4 Serie A titles, 2 Coppa Italias, 1 Italian Super Cup, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 2 Coppa Americas, 1 Sudamericano U20 and 2 Confederations Cups. A list you struggle to rattle off in a single breath.

He began his career with Gremio before moving to Criciuma and Cruzeiro. It was at the latter that he made his professional debut, before coming to the attention of scouts in Europe. He moved to France in 2004, joining AS Monaco, where he stayed for two years. In 2006 he signed for Inter and became a world-class performer as well as a key component of the Nerazzurri's treble-winning side under José Mourinho in 2010. He spent last season in the Premier League at Manchester City, linking up with his former coach Roberto Mancini.

A quality right-back with a great engine and a powerful frame (6'0, 77 kg), Maicon, 31, is a big character. And, believe or not, he ended up on the flank one day by chance to plug a gap: "Before I played top-level football," he admitted in an interview a while ago, "I played in midfield for Criciuma, a Brazilian team where my father was coach. One day our right-back got injured during a game, my dad called me over and said: 'You play out wide, I know you can give a lot, you can do it.' I worked hard in a position that wasn't my natural role, but I felt comfortable, so much so that from that day forward I've only ever played there. Perhaps, and I stress the word 'perhaps', he had good foresight. Thanks dad."

Welcome to Roma, Maicon.

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