Alex Raphael Meschini

Alex

Personal information
Full name	Alex Raphael Meschini
Date of birth	(1982-03-25) 25 March 1982
Place of birth	Cornélio Procópio, Brazil
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Internacional
Number	12
Youth career
2001–2002	Guarani
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2004	Guarani	40	(6)
2004–2009	Internacional	168	(56)
2009–2011	Spartak Moscow	54	(15)
2011–2012	Corinthians	32	(6)
2012–2013	Al-Gharafa	19	(5)
2013–	Internacional	84	(7)
National team‡
2008–	Brazil	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:05, 20 September 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 July 2012

Alex Raphael Meschini (born 25 March 1982 in Cornélio Procópio) is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a Midfielder for Internacional in the Brazilian Série A.

Early career

Alex was born on 25 March 1982 in the town of Cornélio Procópio. His family are Italian descents when his grandmother on his father side came to Brazil.^[1] By the time he was one-years old, his family was relocated to Itambé and relocated again to Santa Amélia when he was seven.^[2] Alex has two brothers, who works as banker and Agronomy respectively .^[3]

At Santa Amélia, Alex spent much of his childhood and led him began playing football where he played for Atlético Pirassunungense, just age nine. His family once again relocated to Campinas, São Paulo and when he was sixteen, he signed for Primavera (where he was signed by his cousin). Alex went on a trial to his future club Corinthians but only to be rejected. Alex was determined not to give up his football career.

Football career

Guarani

Alex in a match against Kuban Krasnodar.

Alex Meschini joined Guarani in 2001 and played his first match in a youth match against Capivari. Upon joining Guarani, Alex spoken out about his move, recalling "We did not have enough to eat and ended up at a club partner of Guarani in disrepair," ^[4] In 2003, he made his debut in the first team match against União Barbarense.^[5] At Guarani, Alex quickly became a team regular and spent two seasons at 54 games and scored 7 goals. Alex also played in position on left wing and was the main corner taker and as well, free kicks.

Internacional

Alex Meschini joined Internacional from Guarani on 11 March 2004 for a fee of 450,000 euro, signing a four-year deal.^[6] Shortly after his move, Meschini spoke out on his move "It is an honour to play at a club with four Brazilian bonds and the largest crowd of the Rio Grande".

However, in August, his debut was delayed after suffering ankle injury, result him out for three months. Between 2004 and 2005, he was unable to establish himself in the first team. The following season, Alex was in hospital, due to injury and by the end of the season, the club won the title of Campeonato Gaúcho. In February, Meschini suffered an injury to his right knee, keeping him out for four months and during a match in Libertadores Cup, he suffered an injury on his pubis. While in the first team, he played in the position, such as left midfielder and also second striker.^[7] After recovering from Pubis, Alex returned in a 1–0 win over Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo on 18 March 2006. After the match, he was voted the man of the match by the club's official website. In the second round of Libertadores, he played as a starter in a 2–1 win over Nacional. Since then, Meschini has established himself as a starter, and key player for under coach Abel Braga.

In the semi-final of Libertadores in the second leg after a 0–0 draw in the first leg, Alex scored and helped the club, ending a long-awaited place in the final of the Libertadores against São Paulo. The club won the title 4–3 on aggregate.

"I became a winner and very happy with this comeback. Difficulties that were overcome with persistence. If you do not have a structure and not chasing their goals, it becomes increasingly difficult."

— Alex on his comeback in the final.

Alex dribbling during a match.

Because of the club win the Copa Libertadores, the club participated in the FIFA Club World Cup. However, Alex suffered an injury but eventually recovered and played in the important role in the final as Internacional beat Barcelona 1–0. After the tournament, Alex was linked with a move to Russian club CSKA Moscow after being recommended by Paulo Paixão, but the move never happened^[8]

The next season, Alex suffered an injury on his muscles on both hips, resulting him out for two months. He recovered from the injury and was the important member of the team as he led the club winning the Recopa Sudamericana after beating Pachuca 5–2 on aggregate, which he scored on the penalty in the second leg. In the summer transfer of 2007, he was linked with an 8 million move to German side Wolfsburg but it never happened. Among interested was Barcelona^[9] but move on from him as Barcelona signed someone instead. Once again in December, Alex suffered a pubis injury caused by an inguinal hernia.

In his final season, Alex chose number 10 shirt^[10] Manager Braga began to put Alex the center of the field. In the Copa Sudamericana, Alex become a top scorer with 13 goals, along with Nilmar and was voted the best player in the tournament. In the final of Copa Sudamericana Finals against Estudiantes, Alex scored in the penalty, giving the only goal in the game in the first-leg. In the second-leg, the club would win the Copa Sudamericana again after a 1–1 draw. On 6 July 2008, Alex scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Coritiba. In the summer transfer of 2008, Alex was in the transfer spotlight when he was linked with a move to Spartak Moscow worth 14 million.^[11] However, the potential buyers has not been reached^[12]

FC Spartak Moscow

Alex training ahead of a match.

Alex prepared to take a kick.

He joined Spartak Moscow in February 2009 for worth 5 million and keeping him there, until 2013.^[13] After leaving Brazil for Russia, Alex explain his departure, stating the time has come for him to play in Europe and against his wishes to stay for the rest of his career at Internacional.^[14] On 2 March 2009, Alex was presented by the club^[15] and was given number 12 shirt .^[16]

Frankly, it is hard to leave home. However, in Internacional I accomplished a lot, so leave the team happy. Outcome of the negotiations about the transfer are good for me and for the club. (Spartak Moscow) this is an interesting team, the draft of which is the task to achieve success in European competitions.

— Alex also says he has accomplished everything well at the club.^[17]

Alex made his debut for the club, where he made his first start and played 90 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Zenit Saint Petersburg on the opening game of the season and two weeks after the opening game of the season, Alex scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over Spartak Nalchik when he scored in a free-kick.^[18] On 23 May 2009, Alex scored a brace in a 5–1 win over Amkar Perm.In his first season, Alex had an optimal season, with the club second place, missing out to become first place behind Rubin Kazan, who won the title for the second time, as Alex made 29 appearance and scored 12. In a match against Amkar Perm, Alex was given a captaincy and made a double assist in a 2–1 win.^[19]

Alex, along with team-mates.

The following season, Alex didn't make a bright start, like last season. In a match against Spartak Nalchik on 25 April 2010, Alex received a second bookable offence in a 0–0 draw. Due to lack of his performance earlier in the season, Manager Valery Karpin spoken out about Alex, claiming he has problem with psychology.^[20] On 21 July 2010, Alex made fourth assist in a 5–3 win over Sibir Novosibirsk. With the departure of Martin Jiránek to Birmingham City in August, Alex was named the new captain of Spartak after just one and a half seasons with the club. During a match against Alania Vladikavkaz on 15 October 2010, Alex scored in a penalty spot but however suffered an injury on the muscles of the right thigh.^[21] By 7 November, Alex made his return in a 1–1 draw against Rubin Kazan (which turns out to be last league appearance of the season). In the Champions League campaign, Alex made his debut in a 1–0 win over Marseille on the opening game of the Group Stage. In the first game against MŠK Žilina, he set up a goal for Ari in a 3–0 win and in the second game, he scored and set up a goal for Ibson in a 2–1 win on the final game of the Group Stage, resulting the club going to the Europa League. At the end of the season, Alex he made 27 games and scored 5 goals.

Alex training as the ball is kicked in the format background.

The following season, Alex made a few appearance until his move back to Brazil. Alex play his first match in the Europa League where he made a double assist in a 3–2 win over Basel in the first leg and the club would advanced to the next round after a 1–1 draw in the second leg. In both legs against Ajax, he scored twice in each leg and the club would win both games against Ajax before losing to Porto in both leg 10–3 on aggregate. In the semi-final of Russian Cup, Alex made his last appearance in a 5–4 loss against CSKA Moscow. In April 2011, Alex announced his intention to leave Spartak Moscow.^[22] This was late explained as his wife was seven-months pregnant and feared of resulting a miscarriage. However, his son was born prematurely and he needs to support his wife.^[23] Alex is also struggling with the freezing weather as another reason he wants to leave despite being content on the pitch.^[24] After leaving the club, Alex made his final interview and apologised to the Spartak's fan.^[25]

Alex clapping after the match ended.

Corinthians

On 13 May 2011, Spartak agreed the transfer of Alex to Corinthians for 6 million and signed until 2014.^[26] Four days later, on 17 May, he was presented by the club in São Paulo.^[27]

"I'm back, but not because of lack of adaptation in Russia. In Russia, I was treated very well, even though I could not read, write or speak in Russian. It goes back to the fact that it was an offer from Corinthians, and also influenced by family matters. Also returning to Brazil can help me realize my dream of play at the World Cup. That is my choice. Spartak knew of my intentions. I can not say that I leave Spartak happy because was not able to win anything with this team. I hope the victory will come to me in Corinthians.

— Alex on his return to Brazil.^[28]

One month later since joining Corinthians on 30 June 2011, he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Bahia and 38 days later, he scored his first goal in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Paranaense. After scoring his first goal, he since scored three in three games. During a match against Santos on 18 September in a 3–1 loss, Alex collapsed on the field and was immediately taken to hospital at Hospital São Luiz. Despite serious concerns, Alex was released from the hospital after he received no injuries when he underwent a CT scan.^[29] At the end of the season, the club win their first league title in six years and also won the Copa Libertadores Finals. In the final, Alex played in attacking midfield in both legs.

For Corinthians, Alex played 56 games and scored nine goals.^[30]

Al-Gharafa

Alex training for Al-Gharafa.

For €6M, on 17 July 2012, Alex left Corinthians and was transferred to Qatari side Al-Gharafa,^[31] where he joined his Brazilian compatriots Diego Tardelli and Afonso Alves. Two months after signing for the club, Alex made his debut in a 2–0 loss against Al-Wakrah and on 21 October 2012, Alex scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over El Jaish. In January 2013, Nenê was recruited by Al-Gharafa from Paris Saint-Germain, meaning that Alex had to leave the club as the foreign players' quota was reached, as announced on the Qatar Stars League official website.^[32] However, the departure of Diego Tardelli a week later led to the reinstatement of Alex, who is continuing with Al-Gharafa until the end of the season.^[33]

Return to Internacional

On 20 July 2013, just one day after joining Al-Gharafa the previous year, Alex made a return to Internacional for worth €3 million and signed a deal with them, until 2015.^[34][35]

International career

On 12 October 2008, Alex replaced Kaká in 70th minute in the match against Venezuela to make his international debut.

Honours

Team

Internacional

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 2004, 2005, 2008, 2014, 2015
• Copa Libertadores: 2006
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2006
• Recopa Sudamericana: 2007
• Copa Sudamericana: 2008

Corinthians

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2011
• Copa Libertadores: 2012

Statistics

Personal life

Alex is married to Anna Paula and have two son Lucas (born in 2006) and another one (born in 2011)^[36]

References