Clóvis Bento da Cruz (born 25 June 1970) is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a striker.
Born in Barra do Garças, Clóvis is a youth prospect of América (SP), from where he became a professional footballer, competing for club in the second level of the Campeonato Paulista.[1] After moving to Guarani, he scored 13 goals in the 1993 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, finishing one shy of top-scorer, Guga.[2][3]
In 1994, he joined Benfica, debuting on 20 August 1994 in a home win against S.C. Beira-Mar, scoring the second goal.[4] Three days later he played the first leg of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira,[5] but was soon sidelined by manager Artur Jorge, who claimed he need time to adapt to Portugal, with Clóvis requesting to be loaned out.[6] He briefly joined Vitória de Setúbal in the second half of 1994–95.[6]
Clóvis returned to Brazil in 1995, to play for Vasco da Gama, where he would reunite with former teammate Paulão, and future Benfica striker, Valdir.[2] He was the club top-scorer in the 1995 edition of the Campeonato Carioca and third overall.[7] On 6 October 1995, he was loaned to Corinthians.[8]
After a successful year in Vasco, Clóvis became a constant traveller, passing through 15 different clubs in ten years, retiring in 2005 at age 35 due to heart problems.[1]