*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 January 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:56, 16 May 2016 (UTC)
Elias Mendes Trindade (born 16 May 1985), known simply as Elias, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
Career
Early career
Born in São Paulo, Elias was a Palmeiras youth graduate, and played as a forward at the club. In December 2005, after a short stint at Verdão's B-team, he signed for Náutico.[1][2]
Elias made his debut for Timbu on 15 January 2006, starting in a 1–0 Campeonato Pernambucano away loss against Serrano.[3][4] On 20 January, after just one further match, he was released.[5]
Elias spent the rest of the 2006 season playing for amateur sides Leões da Geolândia and Estrela Vermelha,[6] and subsequently joined São Bento for the 2007 season, where he moved back to a midfielder role and impressed for the club.[7] In that year he also represented Juventus-SP, scoring one of the goals in the club's 2–3 loss against Linense in the second leg of the Copa Paulista Finals, which his side won after a 4–4 aggregate result.[8]
On 4 December 2007, Elias agreed to a contract with Ponte Preta in the Série B.[9] He made his debut for the club the following 16 January by starting and scoring his team's third in a 4–2 home win against Ituano, and was a regular starter in the 2008 Campeonato Paulista which his side reached the Finals.
Corinthians
On 8 May 2008, Elias signed a contract with fellow second division side Corinthians until December 2011.[10] An immediate starter, he helped the club return to Série A in his first season, and was a key unit in the club's 2009 Campeonato Paulista winning campaign.[11]
Elias made his top tier debut on 6 August 2009, starting in a 1–0 loss at his former club Náutico.[12] He scored his first goal in the category on 27 August, netting his team's second in a 2–2 away draw against Grêmio Barueri.[13]
Atlético Madrid
On 5 December 2010, Elias confirmed that he would leave Corinthians and join Spanish team Atlético Madrid in January 2011, for a rumoured fee of €7 million.[14] The club confirmed the transfer on 16 December, and made his debut abroad on 17 January, starting in a 3–0 home win against RCD Mallorca.[15]
Elias scored his first goal abroad on 2 March 2011, netting the equalizer in a 1–1 draw at Getafe CF.[16]
Sporting CP
On 29 August 2011, after being deemed surplus to requirements at Atleti, Elias moved to Sporting CP on a five-year contract. The club paid a fee of €8.85 million,[17] making this the highest paid transfer in SCP history at the time.[18] On 15 September, Sporting sold 50% economic rights of Elias for €3.85 million to Quality Sports Investments.[19]
On his debut, on 10 September 2011, Elias scored a goal against F.C. Paços de Ferreira, on a win (2–3) of Sporting. At the 76th minute, Sporting was losing by 2–0, but with the goals by Marat Izmailov, Elias and Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Sporting won and began a series of victories in the league, earning him the nickname of "The Prophet" amidst Sporting fans. He scored again on 18 December, in a 1–1 draw against Académica, being subsequently sent off in that match.
Flamengo (loan)
On 10 January 2013, Elias joined Brazilian side Flamengo on loan for the season.[20] He made his debut on 27 January by replacing Renato Abreu in a 1–0 home win against Volta Redonda,[21] and scored his first goal on 14 March in a 3–2 home loss against Resende.
Elias was a regular starter during his loan spell, with Flamengo attempting to keep the midfielder for the 2014 campaign,[22] but the move did not materialize.
Return to Corinthians
On 7 April 2014, and after two months of negotiations, Elias returned to Corinthians, who paid €4 million for 50% of his economic rights.[23][24] He was presented on 10 April,[25] and signed a contract until December 2017.
A regular starter upon arriving, Elias subsequently lost his undisputed status but still appeared regularly.
Sporting CP return
On 31 August 2016, Elias returned to Portugal and Sporting, signing a two-year contract, with a buyout clause of €60 million.[26] However, he was sparingly used by the Lions, scoring twice in 13 appearances overall.
Atlético Mineiro
On 27 January 2017, Atlético Mineiro announced the signing of Elias.[27] He featured regularly for the side during his spell, but was released on 7 January 2020, one month earlier than the expiry of his contract.[28]
^"Un punto, y gracias" [One point, and thanks] (in Spanish). Marca. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
^Sporting CP (30 August 2011). "Comunicato" [Communication] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. Archived from the original(PDF) on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
^Sporting CP (15 September 2011). "Comunicato" [Communication] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. Archived from the original(PDF) on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
^Sporting CP (7 April 2014). "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. Archived from the original(PDF) on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
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