Ederson Santana de Moraes - A Detailed Overview
Introduction
Ederson Santana de Moraes, known commonly as Ederson, is a Brazilian professional footballer who was born on August 17, 1993, in Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil. Ederson, who primarily plays as a goalkeeper, is known for his remarkable goalkeeping skills, agility, and precision of distribution. Since 2017, he has been playing for Manchester City in the English Premier League and has made appearances for the Brazilian national team. He is lauded for his unique playing style and his ability to play with his feet, which makes him a hybrid between a goalkeeper and an outfield player.
Early Life and Career
Born in modest conditions, Ederson's talent for football was apparent from an early age. He started his football career playing for São Paulo FC's youth team in Brazil in 2008. However, after a short stint with São Paulo, he moved to Portugal and joined the youth team of Benfica in 2009. In Benfica, he developed his goalkeeping skills further, starting with the youth team and later serving as a reserve player for the main team.
Move to Ribeirão and Rio Ave
Ederson's career didn't take off immediately at Benfica and he was released after a couple of seasons. In 2011, he signed a contract with Ribeirão, a Portuguese second division club. He had his professional debut with Ribeirão and his impressive performances earned him a move to Rio Ave, a team in Portugal's top division, in 2012. He played for three seasons with Rio Ave, improving his game considerably and attracting attention from top clubs.
Return to Benfica
Ederson's performance at Rio Ave caught the attention of his old club, Benfica, leading to his return in 2015. He quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper for the team, making crucial saves and exhibiting excellent distribution that contributed to Benfica's attacking plays. His performances in Benfica were highly praised, and the team won the Primeira Liga twice in a row in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, which largely increased his reputation.
Move to Manchester City
Ederson's impressive spell at Benfica made him one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in the world. In 2017, English Premier League club Manchester City signed him for £35 million, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time. His arrival at Manchester City coincided with the beginning of one of the most successful periods in the club's history. His excellent goalkeeping skills, coupled with his exceptional ability to launch attacks with accurate long passes, have made him a key part of the team.
Performances and Style of Play at Manchester City
At Manchester City, Ederson quickly established himself as a vital part of the team. His performances played a key role in helping the club win the English Premier League in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. Notably, his impressive run at the club also led to his inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year in both these seasons. As a goalkeeper, Ederson is known for his excellent shot-stopping, agility, and composure. But what sets him apart is his ability to initiate attacks with his accurate long passes, an attribute that aligns perfectly with Manchester City's attacking style of play.
International Career
Internationally, Ederson has represented Brazil at various levels. He made his senior debut for the Brazilian national team in 2017 and was part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Although he competes with Alisson Becker, another world-class Brazilian goalkeeper, for the number one spot, Ederson's contributions have always been valuable to the team.
Personal Life
Outside of his football career, Ederson is married to Lais, and they have two children together. He is also known for his distinctive tattoos, which cover much of his body. A devout Christian, Ederson has expressed that his faith plays an important role in his life and career in football.
Charitable Work
Away from the pitch, Ederson is also active in charity work. He is a supporter of Tackle4MCR, an initiative that aims to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness in Manchester. He has also taken part in several other charitable activities, using his status as a footballer to raise awareness and funds for various causes.
Conclusion
Ederson Moraes has proven himself to be not just an exceptional goalkeeper, but also a key component in the attacking play of the teams he has been a part of. His accuracy with long passes, coupled with his agility and shot-stopping ability, have earned him a unique place in modern football. His performances for both Manchester City and the Brazilian national team have demonstrated his consistency and quality, establishing him as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. Off the pitch, Ederson shows a commitment to giving back to the community, extending his influence beyond the world of football.
