3 minute read
One of the most prolific strikers in A-League Men history is calling it quits with Sydney FC's Bobo announcing this season will be his last.
Sydney FC striker Bobo has announced he'll retire at the end of this season, bringing to a close one of the most prolific careers in A-League Men history.
The Brazilian has scored 71 goals in 114 games across two stints with the Sky Blues.
He holds the record for the most goals in a single ALM season with 27 during their trophy-laden 2017-18 campaign -- for which he was crowned the club's player of the year.
Having played at Brazilian giants Corinthians and Gremio and experienced UEFA Champions League football during a spell at Turkish club Besiktas, Bobo arrived in Australia in August 2016 as Sydney's marquee player.
In two seasons Bobo scored 42 goals from 57 appearances and won the premiers plate twice, the 2017 FFA Cup and the league grand final in 2017.
After short stints in Turkey and India, Bobo returned to Sydney during the 2020-21 season and finished as the club's golden boot with 11 goals from 20 games.
This season the 37-year-old has scored five goals in 19 appearances, making just four starts.
"It's not an easy decision but I've been in the game 19 years now and I've thought a lot about it this season," Bobo said.
"I played 10 years in Turkey, five years in Brazil and four years at Sydney FC, it's a long journey.
"When I look back on my career I need to be happy because I played for big clubs in Turkey, big clubs in Brazil and the most successful club in Australia, so I have a lot of good memories.
"I can pick two favourite memories from Sydney FC and that's scoring the winning header in the FFA Cup final in 2017 and also winning the grand final against Melbourne Victory in the same year."
Sydney FC play their final home match of the season against the Victory on Saturday, with fans being urged to turn out to celebrate the Brazilian's career.
The Sky Blues are returning from their Asian Champions League campaign with their finals ambitions hanging by a knife's edge.
Steve Corica's team need to win their two remaining league fixtures, against Victory and Brisbane Roar, and hope other results fall their way to snatch a spot in the top six.
