Erik (footballer, born 1994)

For other people with similar names, see Eric (disambiguation).

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Nascimento and the second or paternal family name is Lima.

Erik

Erik warming up for Palmeiras in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Erik Nascimento Lima
Date of birth	(1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Novo Repartimento, Brazil
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Machida Zelvia
Number	11
Youth career
2004–2014	Goiás
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2015	Goiás	64	(22)
2016–2021	Palmeiras	25	(3)
2018	→ Atlético Mineiro (loan)	5	(0)
2018–2019	→ Botafogo (loan)	27	(6)
2019–2020	→ Yokohama F. Marinos (loan)	41	(21)
2021–2022	Changchun Yatai	48	(15)
2023–	Machida Zelvia	33	(18)
International career
2013	Brazil U20	1	(1)
2015	Brazil U23	2	(0)
Medal record Representing  Brazil Men's Football Pan American Games 2015 Toronto Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 July 2023, 14:33 (UTC)

Erik Nascimento Lima (born 18 July 1994), simply known as Erik, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for J1 League club Machida Zelvia.

He began his career at Goiás in 2013, scoring 36 goals in 103 matches across all competitions and winning the Best Newcomer Award in the 2014 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. In 2015, he transferred to Palmeiras for €3 million.^[1]

Club career

Goiás

Erik was born in Novo Repartimento, Pará, Erik joined Goiás's youth setup in 2004, aged 10, after impressing on a trial when visiting family in Goiânia.^[2] In February 2013, after impressing with the under-20s in Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, he was promoted to the main squad.

On 7 March 2013, Erik renewed his link with the Esmeraldino, signing until December 2016.^[3] He made his senior debut on the 27th, coming on as a second-half substitute for David in a 2–0 home win against CRAC for the Campeonato Goiano championship;^[4] he appeared in only one further match in the competition, as his side finished second.

On 7 July 2013, Erik made his Série A debut, starting in a 1–0 home win against Vitória.^[5] He only appeared rarely during the campaign, with his side finishing in an unexpected sixth position.

Erik scored his first goal as a senior on 26 February 2014, netting the first in a 2–1 home win against Anápolis.^[6] He subsequently overtook veteran Araújo and Rychely during the year.

Erik started the first league game of the campaign, a 1–0 away win against Atlético Mineiro on 4 May.^[7] He scored his first goal in the competition on the 23rd, netting the last in a 2–2 home draw against Santos,^[8] and subsequently was an ever-present figure for the club, scoring a hat-trick against Atlético Paranaense on 31 August,^[9] and also adding braces against Bahia^[10] and Chapecoense.^[11] After finishing the campaign with 12 goals, he was named Best Newcomer.^[12]

After being strongly linked to a move,^[13] Erik remained with Goiás for 2015. In the year's Goiano he scored two braces, against Atlético Goianiense and Grêmio Anápolis, as his team won the state title.^[14][15] In the year's national tournament, Erik recorded 10 goals from 26 games, including two-goal hauls in 3–0 wins over São Paulo, Vasco da Gama and Joinville in the middle of the campaign; the latter two teams were relegated alongside Goiás.^[16][17][18]

Palmeiras

Amid interest from Turkey's Fenerbahçe,^[19] Erik signed a five-year contract for Palmeiras on 23 December 2015; the Verdão purchased 60% of his economic rights for a fee of €3 million.^[20]

He made his debut on 19 January in the first match of the new Campeonato Paulista season, replacing Gabriel Jesus for the final 16 minutes of a 2–0 win at Botafogo (SP).^[21] Regularly a substitute, he did not score in his first campaign. His national league debut came on 29 May, again in place of Gabriel Jesus in a 1–0 loss at city rivals São Paulo.^[22] In his next game, a start on 4 July, he scored his first Palmeiras goal in his 14th game, opening a 3–1 win at Sport Recife.^[23]

On 14 December 2017, Atlético Mineiro announced the acquisition of Erik on a year-long loan deal for the 2018 season.^[24] However, after a string of poor performances, he was demoted to the reserve team. Subsequently, he left the side and joined Botafogo on loan on 17 August for the remainder of the season.^[25][26]

On 26 July 2019, Erik moved abroad for the first time when he joined Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan's J1 League on an 18-month loan.^[27]

Changchun Yatai

Erik went to China and joined to Chinese Super League club, Changchun Yatai from mid 2021 season.

FC Machida Zelvia

On 1 January 2023, Erik return to Japan for the first time in three years and signed transfer to J2 club, Machida Zelvia for upcoming 2023 season.^[28]

International career

On 8 May 2013, Erik was called up to Brazil under-20 team, for the year's Toulon Tournament.^[29] A backup to Giovanni and Vinícius Araújo, he only appeared against Nigeria on 4 June, scoring the first in a 1–1 draw; his side was eventually crowned champions shortly after.^[30]

On 6 March 2015, Erik was called up to the under-23s,^[31] making his debut in a 4–1 home routing over Paraguay on 27 March.^[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 December 2024^[33]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			State League		National cup		League cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Goiás	2013	Série A	4	0	2	0	2	0	—		—		—		8	0
	2014		34	12	8	2	1	0	—		4[a]	3	—		47	17
	2015		26	10	16	6	5	3	—		1[a]	0	—		48	19
	Total		64	22	26	8	8	3	—		5	3	—		103	36
Palmeiras	2016	Série A	16	3	10	0	2	0	—		2[b]	0	—		30	3
	2017		9	0	4	0	1	0	—		0	0	—		14	0
	Total		25	3	14	0	3	0	—		2	0	—		44	3
Atlético Mineiro (loan)	2018	Série A	5	0	12	0	6	2	—		2[a]	0	—		25	2
Botafogo (loan)	2018	Série A	17	5	—		—		—		—		—		17	5
	2019		10	1	10	1	4	3	—		5[a]	4	—		29	9
	Total		27	6	10	1	4	3	—		5	4	—		46	14
Yokohama F. Marinos (loan)	2019	J1 League	12	8	—		1	1	0	0	—		—		13	9
	2020		29	13	—		—		2	0	3[c]	1	1[d]	1	35	15
	Total		41	21	—		1	1	2	0	3	1	1	1	48	24
Changchun Yatai	2021	Chinese Super League	22	7	—		2	1	—		—		—		24	8
	2022		26	8	—		0	0	—		—		—		26	8
	Total		48	15	—		2	1	—		—		—		50	16
Machida Zelvia	2023	J2 League	30	18	—		0	0	—		—		—		30	18
	2024	J1 League	26	3	—		1	0	5	1	—		—		32	4
	Total		56	21	—		1	0	5	1	—		—		62	22
Career total			266	88	62	9	25	10	7	1	15	8	1	1	376	117

1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
2. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
3. Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
4. Appearance(s) in Japanese Super Cup

Honours

Palmeiras

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2016

Yokohama F. Marinos

• J1 League: 2019

Machida Zelvia

• J2 League: 2023

Brazil U20

• Toulon Tournament: 2013^[30]

Individual

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Newcomer: 2014^[12]
• J2 League Best XI: 2023^[34]

References

1. "Palmeiras strike deal for 2014 revelation Erik". ESPN.com. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
2. "Da área rural do Pará, Erik teve infância pobre e virou jogador por acaso" [From Pará's countryside, Erik had poor childhood and became a footballer by chance] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
3. "Goiás renova com Erik, artilheiro da Copa São Paulo, até o fim de 2016" [Goiás renews with Erik, top scorer of Copa São Paulo, until the end of 2016] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
4. "Goiás vence Crac de Catalão em ritimo de treino" [Goiás defeats Crac de Catalão in a training pace] (in Portuguese). Família Esmeraldina. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
5. "Estrela de Walter brilha, Goiás bate Vitória e deixa zona de rebaixamento" [Walter's star shines, Goiás defeats Vitória and leaves relegation zone] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
6. "Goiás derrota o Anápolis e confirma o primeiro lugar do Grupo A" [Goiás defeats Anápolis and confirms Group A's first position] (in Portuguese). Futebol Goiano. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
7. "Goiás se aproveita do Galo em má fase e desfigurado para vencer no Horto" [Goiás takes advantage of Galo in a poor run and marred to win at Horto] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
8. "Santos fica na frente duas vezes, mas Goiás busca o empate dentro de casa" [Santos goes ahead twice, but Goiás chases draw at home] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
9. "Com três gols de Erik, Goiás bate o Atlético-PR e encerra jejum de vitórias" [With three goals from Erik, Goiás defeats Atlético-PR and ends winless run] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
10. "Goiás vence o Bahia no embalo de Erik e com belo gol de falta à la R10" [Goiás defeats Bahia in Erik's momentum and with beautiful free kick goal à la R10] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
11. "Com dois de Erik, Goiás bate Chape e ameniza imagem ruim na reta final" [With two from Erik, Goiás defeats Chape and eases poor image in the end] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
12. "Com Jefferson e Guerrero, CBF expõe seleção do Brasileiro; Éverton Ribeiro é o craque" [With Hefferson and Guerrero, CBF shows pick of Brasileiro; Éverton Ribeiro is the ace] (in Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
13. "Revelação do Brasileirão, Erik tem propostas e pode deixar o Goiás" [Best newcomer of Brasileirão, Erik has bids and may leave Goiás] (in Portuguese). Futebol Interior. 8 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
14. "Erik aproveita falhas e sela fim do tabu do Goiás contra o Atlético-GO" [Erik takes advantage of failures and ends Goiás' taboo against Atlético-GO] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
15. "Goiás supera susto inicial, massacra o Grêmio Anápolis e assume liderança do Grupo B" [Goiás overcomes initial scare, thrashes Grêmio Anápolis and takes Group B's leadership] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
16. Chaves, Erik (16 August 2015). "São Paulo 0 x 3 Goiás: Erik marca duas vezes e tira a invencibilidade do Tricolor no Morumbi" [Erik scores twice and ends the Tricolor's invincibility at Morumbi] (in Portuguese). Goal.com. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
17. "Com menos dois, Vasco perde para o Goiás e segue na lanterna do Brasileiro" [With two players fewer, Vasco lose to Goiás and remain in the Brasileiro relegation zone] (in Portuguese). O Dia. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
18. "Atuações: Erik e Fred decretam vitória do Goiás; Agenor se salva no Joinville" [Ratings: Erik and Fred mark Goiás' victory; Agenor saves for Joinville] (in Portuguese). Globo. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
19. "Fenerbahçe'nin istediği Erik Lima Palmeiras'a gitti!" [Fenerbahçe target Erik Lima went to Palmeiras!] (in Turkish). Milliyet. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
20. "Palmeiras oficializa contratação do atacante Erik, do Goiás" [Palmeiras confirm signing of forward Erik, from Goiás] (in Portuguese). Globo. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
21. "Palmeiras vence Botafogo com gols de Alecsandro e Dudu em Ribeirão Preto" [Palmeiras conquer Botafogo with goals from Alecsandro and Dudu in Ribeirão Preto] (in Portuguese). Globo. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
22. "Cuca muda em todos os jogos e dá diferentes 'caras' ao Palmeiras" [Cuca rotates in all games and gives different 'faces' to Palmeiras] (in Portuguese). Lance!. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
23. Salton, Marcelo (4 July 2016). "Palmeiras vence Sport no Recife e volta à liderança isolada do Brasileiro" [Palmeiras defeat Sport in Recife and return to undisputed first place in the Brasileiro] (in Portuguese). Folha de S. Paulo. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
24. "Atlético se acerta com Palmeiras e fecha contratação de Erik por empréstimo [Atlético strikes with Palmeiras and closes Erik on loan]" (in Portuguese). Superesportes. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
25. "Erik usa rede social para se despedir e agradecer o Atlético após passagem curta" [Erik uses social network to say goodbye and thank Athletic after passing short] (in Portuguese). O Tempo. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
26. "Botafogo revela acordo com Atlético-MG por Erik e espera exames por anúncio" [Botafogo reveals agreement with Atlético-MG by Erik and awaits examination by ad] (in Portuguese). UOL. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
27. "Erik deixa o Botafogo e vai para o futebol japonês por empréstimo" [Erik leaves Botafogo and goes on loan to Japanese football] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
28. "エリキ選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ" (Press release). FC町田ゼルビア. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
29. "Gallo convoca Seleção Brasileira sub-20 para amistosos e excursão" [Gallo calls up Brazil under-20s to friendlies and tour] (in Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
30. "Brasil Sub-20 é campeão da 41ª edição do Torneio de Toulon na França" [Brazil under-20 is champion of 41st Toulon Tournament in France] (in Portuguese). Goiás' official website. 8 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
31. "Revelação do Brasileirão 2014, Erik celebra convocação para Seleção" [Best Newcomer of Brasileirão 2014, Erik celebrates call-up to the national team] (in Portuguese). Lance!. 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
32. "Seleção Brasileira Olímpica joga bem e derrota o Paraguai: 4 a 1" [Brazil Olympic team plays well and defeats Paraguay: 4–1] (in Portuguese). CBF. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
33. Erik at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
34. "Ｊ２受賞選手：2023Ｊ２リーグアウォーズ：Ｊリーグ.jp". Ｊリーグ.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 December 2023.

External links

• Erik at Sambafoot
• Erik at Soccerway
• Erik at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)