20 best left-backs in Fortaleza’s history

The  Fortaleza Esporte Clube is one of the most traditional teams in Brazilian soccer, with great players who have made their mark. Among these figures, the left wingers have a special place in the hearts of the fans, being responsible for incredible moves, bewildering dribbles and memorable goals.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a special list of the 20 best left-backs in Fortaleza’s history. You’ll find out more about their titles won over the years, curiosities about their careers, personal life stories and more.

Check out which players made the list of the 20 best left-backs in Fortaleza’s history!

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The 20 best left-backs in Fortaleza history: complete list

1. Clodoaldo Nascimento
2. Edilson Araújo
3. Esquerdinha (Antônio Dias dos Santos)
4. Ronaldo Angelim
5. Assis Paraíba
6. Zé Carlos
7. Paulinho McLaren
8. Marcelo Nicácio
9. Lúcio Bala
10. Rinaldo Lima
11. Manoelzinho
12. Luisinho das Arábias
13. Édson (Édson dos Santos)
14. Gildo Fernandes
15. Edmar (Edmar Aparecido dos Santos)
16. Eudes (Eudes Pedro dos Santos)
17. Reginaldo
18. Guaracy
19. Robson (Robson de Souza)
20. Gustavo Papa

The 20 best left-backs in Fortaleza’s history: find out more about them

1. Clodoaldo Nascimento

• Titles:
  • Cearense championship: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • Nicknamed “ClodoGol” by the fans due to his skill and nose for goal.
  • One of the greatest idols in the club’s recent history.
• Life story:
  • Born in Ipu, Ceará, Clodoaldo began his career at Fortaleza and quickly became one of the team’s most important players. His skill with the ball at his feet and his ability to decide games made him an eternal Leão idol.

2. Edilson Araújo

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2000
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Known for his speed and disconcerting dribbling.
  • He also played as a left-back at times during his career.
• Life story:
  • Edilson was born in Fortaleza and began his career in the club’s youth ranks. Over the years, he stood out for his technique and determination, and was a key part of the team’s achievements in the 1990s.

3. Esquerdinha (Antônio Dias dos Santos)

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1987, 1988
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • He became known for his powerful left-footed shot.
  • In addition to Fortaleza, he played for several Brazilian clubs.
• Life story:
  • Born in São Paulo, Esquerdinha made history at Fortaleza with his talent and skill. Even after leaving the club, he always maintained a strong connection with the fans and the city of Fortaleza.

4. Ronaldo Angelim

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • As well as playing as a left winger, he also excelled as a defender.
  • He became nationally known after moving to Flamengo, where he made history.
• Life story:
  • Born in the interior of Ceará, Angelim began his career at Fortaleza and stood out for his versatility and leadership on the pitch. His humility and charisma made him one of the players most beloved by the fans.

5. Assis Paraíba

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1982, 1983
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • Known for his ability to take free-kicks.
  • He also played for other northeastern teams, but always had a special affection for Fortaleza.
• Life story:
  • Born in Paraíba, Assis made a name for himself at Fortaleza in the 80s. His refined technique and vision of the game made him one of the club’s main players at the time.

6. Zé Carlos

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • He also played as an attacking midfielder.
  • He became known for his tactical intelligence and ability to create plays.
• Life story:
  • Zé Carlos is one of the great names in Fortaleza’s history. Born in Fortaleza, he began his career at the club and quickly became one of the team’s main players, helping them win several state titles.

7. Paulinho McLaren

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2002
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • He was top scorer in the Brazilian Championship in 1991, playing for Santos.
  • Even though he had a short spell at Fortaleza, he left his mark with important goals.
• Life story:
  • Born in Igaraçu do Tietê, São Paulo, Paulinho McLaren had a successful career at various Brazilian clubs. His time at Fortaleza was brief but significant, helping the club win the 2002 state championship.

8. Marcelo Nicácio

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2010
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • Top scorer in the Cearense Championship in 2010.
  • A player known for his physical strength and finishing ability.
• Life story:
  • Born in Salvador, Marcelo Nicácio made history at Fortaleza with his goals and leadership on the pitch. His time at the club was marked by important achievements and a strong identification with the fans.

9. Lúcio Bala

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2007
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • Played for several big clubs in Brazil, such as São Paulo, Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro.
  • Known for his skill and vision.
• Life story:
  • Born in Brasília, Lúcio Bala had a varied career, playing for several Brazilian clubs. At Fortaleza, he stood out for his talent and decisiveness, and was one of the main players in the 2007 state championship.

10. Rinaldo Lima

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2007
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Top scorer in the Cearense Championship in 2007.
  • He became known by the nickname “Rinaldo Artilheiro”.
• Life story:
  • Born in Fortaleza, Rinaldo is one of the club’s great recent idols. His ability to score goals and his charisma with the fans made him one of Fortaleza’s most beloved players in the 2000s.

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11. Manoelzinho

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Played as a left winger in an era of great stars in Ceará soccer.
  • He stood out for his speed and dribbling ability.
• Life story:
  • Manoelzinho is one of Fortaleza’s historic players. Born in Fortaleza, he had a brilliant career at the club, playing a key role in the state championships of the 1950s.

12. Luisinho from Arabia

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1979, 1982
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Became known by his nickname due to a spell in Arab soccer.
  • A player of great skill and technique.
• Life story:
  • Luisinho das Arábias made history at Fortaleza with his talent and dribbling. Born in Fortaleza, he had a career marked by great moments at the club, being one of the main players in the state titles.

13. Édson (Édson dos Santos)

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1973, 1974
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Known for his ability to take free-kicks.
  • He also played as a midfielder.
• Life story:
  • Édson is one of Fortaleza’s historic players, with a career marked by great moments at the club. Born in Ceará, he stood out for his technique and precision in set pieces.

14. Gildo Fernandes

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • One of the club’s greatest idols in the 1960s.
  • Known for his skill and eye for goal.
• Life story:
  • Born in Fortaleza, Gildo Fernandes is one of the great names in the club’s history. His ability to decide games and his identification with the fans made him an eternal idol of the Leão do Pici.

15. Edmar (Edmar Aparecido dos Santos)

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1985, 1987
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • Played for several Brazilian clubs, but was a standout at Fortaleza.
  • Known for his skill and vision.
• Life story:
  • Born in São Paulo, Edmar made history at Fortaleza in the 80s. His refined technique and ability to create plays made him one of the club’s main players at the time.

16. Eudes (Eudes Pedro dos Santos)

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1988, 1991
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Played in various attacking positions, but excelled as a left winger.
  • Known for his speed and dribbling ability.
• Life story:
  • Eudes was born in Fortaleza and began his career in the club’s youth ranks. Over the years, he stood out for his technique and determination, and was a key part of the team’s achievements in the 1980s.

17. Reginaldo

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1985, 1987
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Known for his ability to dribble short and fast.
  • He also played as an attacking midfielder.
• Life story:
  • Reginaldo is one of Fortaleza’s historic players, with a career marked by great moments at the club. Born in Ceará, he stood out for his technique and agility in attack.

18. Guaracy

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 1967, 1968
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Played in various attacking positions, but excelled as a left winger.
  • Known for his skill and vision.
• Life story:
  • Guaracy made history at Fortaleza in the 60s. His refined technique and ability to create plays made him one of the club’s main players at the time.

19. Robson (Robson de Souza)

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2021
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Curiosities:
  • Known for his skill and speed.
  • He had spells at other Brazilian clubs, but stood out at Fortaleza.
• Life story:
  • Born in Campinas, São Paulo, Robson has had a varied career, playing for several Brazilian clubs. At Fortaleza, he stood out for his talent and decision-making ability, and was one of the key players in winning the 2021 state championship.

20. Gustavo Papa

• Titles:
  • Cearense Championship: 2007
• Team:
  • Fortaleza Esporte Clube
• Fun facts:
  • He also played as a center forward at times during his career.
  • Known for his physical strength and finishing ability.
• Life story:
  • Born in Florianópolis, Gustavo Papa had a successful career at various Brazilian clubs. His time at Fortaleza was marked by important achievements and great identification with the fans.

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The 20 best left-backs in Fortaleza’s history

1. Clodoaldo Nascimento
2. Edilson Araújo
3. Esquerdinha (Antônio Dias dos Santos)
4. Ronaldo Angelim
5. Assis Paraíba
6. Zé Carlos
7. Paulinho McLaren
8. Marcelo Nicácio
9. Lúcio Bala
10. Rinaldo Lima
11. Manoelzinho
12. Luisinho das Arábias
13. Édson (Édson dos Santos)
14. Gildo Fernandes
15. Edmar (Edmar Aparecido dos Santos)
16. Eudes (Eudes Pedro dos Santos)
17. Reginaldo
18. Guaracy
19. Robson (Robson de Souza)
20. Gustavo Papa

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