Maicon (part 1)

Maicon Douglas Sisenando, commonly known as Maicon or Maicon Douglas, is a former Brazilian footballer renowned for his prowess as a right-back. Born on July 26, 1981, Maicon earned recognition for his direct style of play, exceptional speed, precise crossing ability, and defensive prowess, making him one of the standout right-backs of his era.
Starting his career in Brazil with Cruzeiro, Maicon played a significant role, featuring in 125 matches for the club between 2000 and 2004. During his tenure, he secured a national league title along with several domestic honors. In 2004, he made the move to Europe, joining Ligue 1 side Monaco.


However, it was at Inter Milan where Maicon truly made his mark. Signing for the Italian giants in 2006, he quickly established himself as a key player in the team. His time at Inter Milan saw him achieve notable success, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 2010, four Serie A titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, and various domestic trophies.
After a brief spell at Manchester City in 2012, Maicon returned to Italy to play for Roma in the following season. He then had stints back in Brazil with Avaí, his childhood club Criciúma, and Villa Nova before retiring in 2021 after playing in the Italian Serie D and the Sammarinese league.


On the international stage, Maicon represented Brazil with distinction, earning 76 caps and scoring seven goals. He participated in several major tournaments, including three Copa América editions, winning the competition in 2004 and 2007. Additionally, Maicon was part of the Brazilian squads that clinched back-to-back FIFA Confederations Cup titles in 2005 and 2009, as well as the team that finished fourth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted in Brazil.
Maicon, known for his talent as a right-sided wingback, began his professional career with Cruzeiro in 2001. His impressive performances during his two seasons with the club, which included winning a championship and earning a call-up to the Brazil national team in 2003, caught the attention of European clubs.
In June 2004, Maicon made the move to Europe, joining Monaco for a transfer fee of £2.1 million. This marked the beginning of his journey in European football, where he continued to showcase his skills and establish himself as a top-tier right-back.


Inter Milan made the signing of Maicon official, acquiring him for a fee of £4.8 million and securing his services on a five-year contract. This transfer, alongside the acquisitions of Maxwell and Olivier Dacourt, signaled Inter's ambition to bolster their squad with top talent.
At Inter Milan, Maicon quickly established himself as a key player, showcasing his versatility and defensive solidity as a wing-back. His dynamic runs down the right flank, coupled with his powerful right foot, made him a potent attacking threat for the team. Maicon's performances earned him the status of being one of the best wing-backs in the world.
Despite facing disciplinary issues, such as the altercation with Valencia's David Navarro during a UEFA Champions League match in March 2007, Maicon remained a vital part of the Inter squad under the management of José Mourinho. He continued to contribute significantly to the team's success, providing assists and scoring crucial goals, including a memorable brace against Siena in the 2008–09 season, as Inter secured their fourth consecutive league title.


During the 2009–10 season, Maicon continued to display his exceptional form for Inter Milan, making significant contributions both defensively and offensively. He kicked off the season with a goal against Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, a match that ended in a resounding 4–0 victory for Inter. His solid performance against Barcelona in a 0–0 draw at the San Siro further solidified his reputation as a top-class wing-back.
Maicon's versatility and attacking prowess were on full display throughout the season. He provided assists, set up crucial goals, and scored important goals himself, showcasing his ability to impact games at both ends of the pitch. Notably, he scored against Napoli and Livorno in Serie A, demonstrating his goal-scoring ability from the right-back position.


One of the highlights of Maicon's season came in the Derby d'Italia against Juventus, where he scored a spectacular goal, volleying the ball into the opposite corner after a skillful juggle over an onrushing defender. He also found the net in the Champions League against Barcelona, despite reportedly suffering a knock to the tooth in a collision with Lionel Messi.
Maicon's performances played a pivotal role in Inter's success during the 2009–10 season. The team won the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia, completing the historic treble by clinching the UEFA Champions League with a victory over Bayern Munich in the final. Maicon's exceptional displays earned him recognition as the UEFA Club Defender of the Year and a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.


During the 2011–12 season, Maicon's playing time was limited due to various factors, including injuries and competition for his position. Despite making just 23 appearances in Serie A, Maicon still managed to make an impact, contributing with two crucial goals for Inter Milan.
His first goal of the season came in a Serie A encounter against Juventus at the San Siro on 29 October 2011. Although Inter ended up on the losing side with a 2–1 defeat, Maicon found the back of the net with a well-taken goal, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively from the right-back position.


Maicon's second goal of the season was scored in the highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan on 6 May 2012. In a thrilling 4–2 victory for Inter, Maicon delivered a sensational strike from outside the penalty box, sending the ball into the top left corner of the goal guarded by Marco Amelia. His goal added to the spectacle of the Milan derby, which also saw teammate Diego Milito scoring a hat-trick to secure the win for Inter.
Despite his limited playing time during the season, Maicon's goals were valuable contributions to Inter's campaign, particularly in key matches against top rivals. His ability to make an impact in crucial moments exemplified his importance to the team, even in a season marked by challenges and setbacks.

References

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2. ^ "Maicon" (in Portuguese). FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
3. ^ "Maicon". asroma.it. AS Roma. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
4. ^ "Maicon 4 ans à l'AS Monaco FC" (in French). asm-fc.com. 12 June 2004. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
5. ^ "DACOURT, MAICON, MAXWELL SIGN FOR INTER". Inter Milan. 12 July 2006. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
6. ^ "tactical Formations". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
7. ^ "Valencia and Inter Milan charged for brawl". The Telegraph. 7 March 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
8. ^ Giles Mole (14 March 2007). "Navarro banned for seven months". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
9. ^ Danilo Pochini (20 December 2008). "Maicon Brace Lifts Inter Past Siena". Goal.com. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
10. ^ "Internazionale thrash ten-man Milan in one-sided derby". The Guardian. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
11. ^ Richard Bailey (16 September 2009). "Inter frustrate holders". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
12. ^ "Inter-Napoli 3-1: Mou non-c'è, i nerazzurri BALLANO!" [Inter-Napoli 3-1: Mou is not, the nerazzurri dances!] (in Italian). Goal.com. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2018.