TBT #13 Leão memories: Belmonte, double Catarinense, cup winner | OneFootball

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former athlete who left his mark on the club’s century-long history. We remember stars who brought us so much joy wearing the blue and white colors.

In the 13th edition, we will look back at BELMONTE, two-time Santa Catarina state champion (1988 and 1997) and Copa Santa Catarina champion (1995).

Belmonte leads the line, followed by Maurício, Netinho, Marcos Severo and Almir Gil

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Collection

We have already covered here the story of:#01 ROGÉRIO ÁVILA – HERE#02 CAVALLAZZI – The Golden Boy - HERE#03 FLÁVIO ROBERTO – 1988 champion - HERE#04 JUTI – The goalscoring champion of 1975, HERE,#05 TONINHO QUINTINO – Santa Catarina State Champion of 1973 HERE, #06 NZETA, four-time Santa Catarina state champion HERE, #07 ADILSON HELENO – Santa Catarina State Champion of 1988, HERE, #08 ADOLFINHO – The greatest goalkeeper in Santa Catarina history HERE, #09 B0ALDUÍNO – The Little King, Santa Catarina State Champion of 1973, 1975 HERE, #010 ZENON – Santa Catarina State Champion of 1973 and 1975 HERE, #011 CLÉBER SANTANA – Avaí’s eternal number 88, Santa Catarina state champion in 2012 HERE #012 VENEZA – The best defender in Avaí’s history, Santa Catarina state champion in 1975    Édson Luiz Benites Belmonte, better known as Belmonte, was born on August 31, 1963, in São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul. He played as a defensive midfielder / midfielder and wore the Avaí shirt 295 times. He scored three goals. He is the 4th player with the most appearances for Avaí in the club’s century-long history, according to the data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023, by Dois Por Quatro publishing house, written by Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.A player who stood out for his leadership on and off the pitch, showing grit in every challenge during matches. A leader who helped the team achieve many victories and three titles. He played for Avaí from 1985 to 1988, in 1992, and from 1995 to 1997. At Avaí, he became Santa Catarina State Champion in 1988 and 1997, two important titles won at Ressacada. He also won the Copa Santa Catarina in 1995. On two occasions, he was runner-up in the Santa Catarina state championship, in 1985 and 1992.“Both state titles were very important, especially the one in 88, but one title that really stayed with me was the 1995 Copa Santa Catarina. Only we know what that achievement was like. The difficulties of that year and the determination of all the players and staff,” said Belmonte.

In his career as a professional player, he also had spells with São Borja-RS, Joinville-SC, Marcílio Dias-SC, Ypiranga-RS, Brasil de Farroupilha-RS, Vitória-BA and Atlético Hermann Aichinger-SC.

After retiring in 1998 with Tiradentes-SC, he took a coaching course and, starting in 2002, worked in Avaí’s youth academy, where he won the youth title in 2002 and the junior title in 2003, 2005 and 2008. On two occasions, he took charge of Avaí’s professional team, in 2004 and 2005. He also coached Atlético Hermann Aichinger-SC, Juventus-SC, Hercílio Luz-SC and Guarani de Palhoça-SC.

Off the pitch, he was president of AGAP, the Santa Catarina Professional Athlete Guarantee Association. He is part of Avaí Master, where to this day he takes part in exhibition matches presenting Avaí idols, carrying Avaí’s name wherever the Master team plays.

Currently, Belmonte works at Flamengo Biguaçu School, located at Rua José Graciliano da Silveira, no. 104, Rio Caveiras neighborhood, Biguaçu-SC.

“Avaí changed my life. I was just a kid, a boy. I came from the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul. I arrived here at 20 years old and, from then on, I began to really understand football. I came from a small club and here I learned a lot. I had some notion of football, and Avaí shaped my life as a man. That’s why I have such great love and appreciation for this club,” Belmonte said.AVAIANA SELECTIONBelmonte was responsible for carrying out the Avaiana Selection project, which began in 2011. The project aimed to discover new talents through evaluations conducted by him throughout Greater Florianópolis, as well as in states in southern Brazil. Thousands of boys were assessed. Dozens were selected and joined the club’s youth academy.

WALK OF FAME

Belmonte (R), with Jacaré, after immortalizing their feet on the Walk of Fame

Photo: Jamira Furlani / Avaí F.C.

On September 1, 2012, Belmonte had his feet immortalized on the Walk of Fame at the Adolfinho Athletes Memorial, at Ressacada. Alongside Belmonte, another idol also immortalized his feet: Jacaré.

TRIBUTE TO THE 1988 CHAMPIONS

Adenir, groundskeeper, Adilson Heleno, Pereirinha (masseur), Flávio Roberto and Belmonte, at the tribute to the 1988 champions

Photo: Daniel Queiroz

On July 13, 2013, Avaí Futebol Clube paid tribute to the 1988 champions, the first title of the Ressacada Era and the 12th in the club’s history. Officially, 25,735 people bought tickets for that match, but the stadium was completely packed with more than 32,000 Avaí fans, the largest crowd in the history of football in Santa Catarina. All to see the champion Lion.

On that occasion, most of the players attended the tribute at Ressacada. The 1988 champions received a special diploma for winning the championship by the edge of the pitch and next to the heavy trophy that is kept in the Athletes Memorial at Ressacada.

Still on the field, the champions were able to watch the images of the decisive match on the big screen, when the Lion defeated Blumenau 2-1, with goals from Marcos Severo and Adílson Heleno.

The following players attended the tribute: Almir Gil, Belmonte, Betinho, Biguaçu, Celinho, Falcão, Flávio Roberto, Márcio, Marcos Severo, Nalbi, Netinho, Rogério and Sérgio Márcio. Also present were: Sérgio Lopes (coach), João Carlos Dias (football director), Ceará (Ressacada manager), Duca (kit man), Pereirinha (masseur) and Nílsão (goalkeeping coach).

Felipe Aliano, Fossati’s godson, received the tribute on behalf of the Uruguayan goalkeeper, as did Mariana Secco Cardoso (representing her father, doctor José Carlos Cardoso), Seu Raimundo, father of defender Maurício, and Seu Delo, an Avaí employee and brother of assistant masseur Altamiro Mendes.

Also part of that team and coaching staff were: Adílson Gomes, Adílson Heleno, Elísio, Gílson, J.J. Rodriguez, Ivan Formiga, Mendonça, Nelsinho, Nena, Prê, Teffo, Umberto and Vanderlei, Atílio Ancheta (assistant coach), Nelson Neves (fitness coach) and Nilson Fidélis, known as Pico, president.

TRIBUTE TO THE 1997 CHAMPIONSOn October 8, 2013, Avaí paid tribute to the athletes who won the 1997 Santa Catarina State Championship. The ceremony took place at halftime of the match Avaí 1×0 Sport-PE, in the 28th round of that year’s Série B. In 2027, this achievement will mark its 30th anniversary.

The players, directors and coaching staff received a diploma honoring the achievement. On the occasion, acting president Dr. Nílton Machado and the club’s directors presented the tribute.

On June 22, 1997, in front of approximately 22,850 fans, Avaí defeated Tubarão 2-0, making striker Jacaré the hero of the night as he scored both goals and confirmed himself as the top scorer of the Santa Catarina Championship, with 13 goals. With the victory, Avaí were crowned 1997 Santa Catarina State Champions.

The Lion of the Island squad in the 1997 Santa Catarina championship was made up of the following players: Carlão, Rudimar, Denis, Cedenyr, Itá, Viola, Cláudio, Raul, Altair, Fabiano, Evandro Guimarães, Evandro, Régis, Dirlei, Belmonte, Ney, Roberto Cavalo, Helton, Marcelo Vidal, Fantick, Claudiomir, Dão, Jacaré, Eliandro, Sandro Silva, Luis Carlos Gaúcho, Neto, Diego, Arthur, Pirilo and Décio Antônio.

Coaching staff: Gonzaga Milioli, Décio Antônio, Stélio Serafim, Marcelo Nunes, Nilsão, Duca, Pereirinha, Dr. José Carlos Cardoso, Izazé and Báu. Board: Flávio Félix, Lourival Amorim, Ronaldo Hipólito, João Carlos Dias and Vilmar Reinert.TO REMEMBER IS TO LIVE!For the fans to remember a little of that campaign: in the first half of the competition, Avaí finished the group stage in first place with 16 points. The final four also included the following teams: Atlético Alto Vale, Blumenau and Chapecoense. When they faced Chapecoense in the final of the first half, Avaí drew the first match 2-2 and won at home 2-1, becoming first-half champions and securing a place in the grand final of the championship.

In the second half of the competition, the Avaí side finished 5th with 13 points, missing out on the final four of the 2nd half, which was made up of the following teams: Chapecoense, Figueirense, Joinville and Tubarão.Tubarão came out on top in the final against Joinville, thus earning the right to face Avaí for the Santa Catarina state title.

In the first match of the final, in Tubarão, it ended 0-0. At Ressacada, the celebration was complete with a 2-0 win, with goals from Jacaré.

YOUR BEAUTIFUL PASTOn July 21, 2022, Belmonte was interviewed by journalist Rafael Xavier on the program YOUR BEAUTIFUL PAST, on TV Avaí, now Avaí Play, a YouTube channel. In the interview, Belmonte talks about the beginning of his career, his move to Avaí, and the titles he won. A relaxed chat full of curiosities that are part of Belmonte’s history at Avaí. Watch the full interview:

CHECK OUT SOME PHOTOS OF BELMONTE BELOW

Referee José Carlos Bezerra talks to Uruguayan full-back JJ Rodriguez, watched by Falcão (11) and Belmonte (5). Defender Léo (on the right side of the photo) is moving out of the play. Vilson Tadei is the bald black-and-white captain, waiting to take the free kick

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Collection

Avaí U-20 Santa Catarina Champions 2005 squad

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/17/2005

Standing: Marcinho (kit man), Africano (assistant coach), Belmonte (coach), Andréa Pesca (psychologist), Fabiano Pierri (youth coordinator), Renato Targino (fitness coach) and Eduardo Gaspar (fitness coach).

Crouching: Sandro Zunino, youth director, and Sandro Daros, goalkeeping coach.

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/17/2005

Belmonte, in an interview with journalist Zé Paulo Reitz

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/17/2005

Belmonte in the fans’ arms after winning the 2005 Santa Catarina U-20 Championship title

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/17/2005

Captain Eliandro lifts the 2005 Santa Catarina U-20 Championship trophy

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/17/2005

Barbecue gathering offered by ASSTA – Associação Social e Cultural dos Torcedores do Avaí, to the 2025 Santa Catarina U-20 Champions.

In the photo, standing: Gustavo Santos, Sandro Zunino (youth director), Eduardo (Foca / fitness coach), Krika, Fabiano Pierri (youth coordinator), Ademir (masseur), Andréia (psychologist), Eliandro, Sanderson and Belmonte.

Crouching: Cristiano (Timão), Breno, Fábio Fidelis, Robson, João Paulo, Saulo and Roni.

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/20/2005

Avaí U-20 Santa Catarina Champions 2008 squad

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 11/04/2008

Champions’ celebration at Ressacada

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 11/04/2008

Belmonte with Delfin (FCF president), before the presentation of the 2008 Santa Catarina U-20 Champions trophy

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 11/04/2008

Champion coach Belmonte, with his son Edson Belmonte Filho, who was in the crowd and came onto the field after the match to hug his father

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 11/04/2008

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 11/04/2008

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 08/05/2006

Belmonte, wearing a training bib, alongside fitness coach Eduardo Gaspar

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 04/13/2007

Belmonte receives from Manoel de Paula, president of LIFF – Liga Florianopolitana de Futebol -, his former Avaí athlete ID card

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. (09/01/2007)

Avaí team that drew 2-2 with Figueirense at the Palhoça training center

Photo: Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Archive: 12/14/2005

RESEARCH SOURCES–– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. The Team of Grit – Almanac of 90 years of Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.    –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023    – Photo archive of Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C.– Avaí Play channel on YouTube;– Memória Avaiana website; – Official Avaí F.C. website; – Polidoro Júnior website;      – NDMais website;

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.