Muriqui

Luiz Guilherme da Conceição Silva (born 16 June 1986), commonly known as Muriqui, is a Brazilian professional footballer currently plays for Joinville.

His nickname, Muriqui, comes from the district where he was born, Muriqui, Mangaratiba.

Muriqui started his senior career in 2004 with Madureira.

Considered as a talented player, he was loaned to several higher level Brazilian clubs including Vasco Da Gama, Avaí and transferred to Desportivo Brasil in 2008.

Muriqui was called up for Brazil U-20 while he was playing for Vasco Da Gama.

On 14 April 2009, Muriqui was loaned to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Avaí again.

In season 2009, he was considered as one of the best players in the club, with 139 fouls suffered throughout the season, which was the highest in the league.

At the end of 2009, it was reported that Muriqui decided to leave from the club.

He joined Atlético Mineiro on 13 January 2010.

On 30 June 2010, China League One club Guangzhou Evergrande confirmed that they had signed Muriqui on a four-year deal from Atlético Mineiro with a club record fee (as well as the domestic record fee) of US$3.5 million.

He made his League One debut for Guangzhou against Nanjing Yoyo on 21 July and scored four goals in the match.

In season 2010, Muriqui scored 13 goals in 14 appearances as Guangzhou finished first place in the League One and won promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

Although Guangzhou signed a few strong players to strengthened the team's attacking power including Argentinian Darío Conca and Brazilian Cléo in the 2011 league season, Muriqui was still the most important part of the club.

He scored his first two CSL goals in a 2–2 home draw against Beijing Guoan on 17 April 2011.

On 4 May, Muriqui scored a hat-trick in a 2011 Chinese FA Cup match which Guangzhou Evergrande beat China League One side Guizhou Zhicheng at Yuexiushan Stadium.

He became Guangzhou's first player to score a hat-trick in the Chinese FA Cup.

On 12 August 2011, a conflict near the end of first half in the match while Guangzhou played away against Liaoning Whowin became the center of attention.

In a hearing held by Chinese Football Association 4 days later, the CFA believed that Muriqui struck Zhao Junzhe in the conflict, which resulted in a ban of 5 matches (including reserve league) and him being fined ¥25,000.

Muriqui expressed his disappointment about the ban which he believed to be unfair in his Weibo and said he would leave China at the end of the season.

However, after several talks with the club, Muriqui changed his mind and said he would happy to stay in China and fulfil his contract.

Although missing 4 matches of the league, Muriqui scored 16 goals in 26 appearances in the season which made him the top goal scorer of the league.

Guangzhou successfully achieved Super League champion for the first time in the club's history.

Muriqui won the CFA Footballer of the Year award in December 2011.

At the start of the 2012 season, Muriqui helped Guangzhou win the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup by beating Tianjin Teda 2–1 on 25 February.

He scored his first AFC Champions League goal in a 2012 AFC Champions League group stage match, the club's first AFC Champions League match, as Guangzhou defeated K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1 away on 7 March.

He scored twice in another Champions League match which Guangzhou beat J.League Division 1 champions Kashiwa Reysol 3–1 at home on 17 April.

His three goals in the group stage ensured Guangzhou Evergrande to reach the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League.

Muriqui scored his first hat-trick in the Super League, in a 5–1 home victory against Jiangsu Sainty on 17 June.

Muriqui made his return from injury in the second leg of 2012 Chinese FA Cup final as Guangzhou won their first FA Cup title by defeating Guizhou Renhe 5–3 on aggregate.

It was also the highest number of goals ever scored by one player at a single AFC Champions League tournament, breaking Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira's record of 12 goals in the 2012 AFC Champions League.

Muriqui started the 2013 season by scoring a goal and an assist in the first round of 2013 AFC Champions League group stage match, a 3–0 home victory over J.League side Urawa Red Diamonds.

The goal he scored in this match made him the top scorer of Guangzhou's professional history, overtaking Luis Ramírez's previous club record of 48 goals.

He continued his excellent form in the Champions League, scoring six goals in the first five group stage match including one goal in the 3–0 home victory against Urawa Red Diamonds, one goal in the 1–1 away draw against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, one goal in the 4–0 home victory against Muangthong United, two goals in the 4–1 away victory against Muangthong United and one goal in the 3–2 away defeat against Urawa Red Diamonds.

Muriqui scored his seventh and eighth Champions League goals in both legs of round of 16 against Australia's A-League side Central Coast Mariners while Guangzhou won 5–1 on aggregate.

On 18 September 2013, he scored his ninth goal in the second leg of quarter-finals against Qatar's Lekhwiya in a 4–1 away win.

On 25 September 2013, he scored twice in the first leg of semi-finals during a 4–1 away win against Kashiwa Reysol.

He hit a brace in the second leg at Tianhe Stadium in a 4–0 home victory against Kashiwa Reysol on 2 October, bringing his tally to 13 goals in 12 Champions League games.

On 3 July, Muriqui signed a new contract with Guangzhou Evergrande, keeping him at the club until 30 June 2016.

On 19 September, Muriqui was injured after being tackled heavily by Osama Al-Muwallad during a Champions League match against Al-Ittihad at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium.

The injury prevented Muriqui from playing for Guangzhou Evergrande for the rest of Super League and Champions League match and they won the league narrowly but was knocked out of their first Champions League journey by Al-Ittihad in the quarter-finals.