Barcelona has been home to some of the best Brazilian footballers to ever play the beautiful game.
Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Dani Alves and Neymar came, saw and conquered all before them during their respective stays at the Camp Nou.
Keirrison, however, was a different story altogether.
Billed by many fans as the worst Brazilian to ever play for Barcelona, the sudden rise and agonising fall of Keirrison is a story of false promises, careless clubs and unadulterated greed.
To put it bluntly: Keirrison was stitched up worse than Dr Frankenstein’s monster.
Born Keirrison de Souza Carneiro, his father chose his name as a tribute to his two favourite musicians, Keith Richards and Jim Morrison.
In some ways it proved apt: as a footballer, Keirrison was a ‘Rolling Stone’ regularly shown ‘The Doors’ at no fewer than 10 clubs in the space of just 12 years. [Ed: ffs.]
Still, there was something very rock’n’roll about the way he burst on the scene as a teenager at Coritiba, scoring 65 goals in 122 games and making history as the youngster ever player to finish as top scorer in the Brazilian top flight.
A move to one of Brazil’s biggest clubs, Palmeiras, followed. Keirrison scored a further 24 in just 36 games to earn the billing of the ‘new Romario’ on account of his predatory instincts in front of goal.
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READ: A celebration of Romario at Barcelona: Football, flights and f*cking
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It wasn’t long before he was being linked with a big-money move to Europe, with Liverpool and Roma both rumoured to be keen. Keirrison, however, had other ideas.
“Since I was little, I have always identified myself with one particular country and one great club. I have nothing against the other teams, but I have always seen myself playing for Barcelona,” he told Sport.
“I have watched Romario and Ronaldo play for them in the past and that made me aspire to want to play for a great club like Barca. I have also dreamed about playing alongside someone like Lionel Messi one day.”
He didn’t know it at the time, but his dream was about to become a waking nightmare.
In July 2009, Barcelona signed Keirrison on a five-year deal for €14million. At his unveiling, the youngster appeared confident of making an immediate impact.
“I hope to break into Pep Guardiola’s side, and join many other famous Brazilians who have played here,” he told reporters. “This club are the best in the world, and I am very lucky to be…
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