TBT #17 Lion's tale: Emerson, Avaí's goalscoring centre-back

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Avaí F.C.

·18 June 2026

TBT #17 Lion's tale: Emerson, Avaí's goalscoring centre-back

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former player who left his mark on the club’s hundred-year history. We remember stars who brought us great joy while wearing the blue and white colors.

In the 17th edition, we will look back at EMERSON, a goal-scoring center back who made history at Avaí.

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Emerson dos Santos da Silva, better known as Emerson, was born on May 3, 1983 (43 years old), in Taguatinga, Federal District. At Avaí, he played as a center back on two occasions, from 2008-2010 and in 2015. He represented Avaí in 185 matches and scored 29 goals, according to the data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023, by publisher Dois Por Quatro, written by Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos, and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.

A two-time Campeonato Catarinense champion in 2009 and 2010, he made history and became an idol of the Avaí Nation by scoring important goals that helped lead the team to titles and major victories in the State Championship, Brazil’s Série A, and the Copa Sudamericana.

Avaí Campeonato Catarinense Champion 2009

Photo: Manoel Bento / Avaí F.C.

To this day, Emerson is the defender who has scored the most goals in Avaí’s hundred-year history. In 2010, Emerson was one of the scorers in that historic match against Emelec in the Copa Sudamericana. Avaí won 3-1, with goals by Roberto at 2’ of the second half, Eltinho at 5’ of the second half, and Emerson at 8’ of the second half. Emelec’s goal was scored by Rojas in the very first minute of the match. With the victory, Avaí reached the quarterfinals of the competition. Avaí took the field with Zé Carlos, Marcos (Válber), Emerson Nunes, Emerson, and Eltinho; Bruno, Rudinei, Caio, Jeferson, and Robinho (Pará); Roberto (Marcelinho). The coach was Vagner Benazzi.

Moment of Emerson’s goal that secured Avaí’s 3-1 win over Emelec

Photo: Manoel Bento / Avaí F.C.

Celebration of Emerson’s goal

Photo: Manoel Bento / Avaí F.C.

Emerson celebrating the victory with the Mancha Azul supporters

Photo: Manoel Bento / Avaí F.C.

In 2011, he left Avaí to play for Coritiba-PR, where he was called up to the Brazilian National Team. In 2013, he signed with Atlético Mineiro. In 2015, he returned to Avaí on loan. After that, he played for Botafogo-RJ for two seasons, and for Atlético Paranaense, Joinville, Juventude, among others.

After hanging up his boots, he began working in management and youth development, serving at Gama-DF, the club where he started his career. RESEARCH SOURCES  –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. O Time da Raça – Almanaque de 90 anos do Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.     –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023     – Alceu Atherino photo archive / Avaí F.C. – Avaí Play channel on YouTube; – Terceiro Tempo website;  – Memória Avaiana website;  – Official Avaí F.C. website;  – Polidoro Júnior website; – ND Mais website;

PHOTOS OF EMERSON AT AVAÍ