Flávio Conceição

Flávio da Conceição (born 12 June 1974) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Conceição enjoyed a successful career in Spain, where he played for two clubs—including Real Madrid with whom he won six major titles—and also represented Brazil on more than 40 occasions.

Club career
Born in Santa Maria da Serra, São Paulo, Conceição began his career with Rio Branco in 1992. He then joined Palmeiras a year later, and racked up over 100 first-team appearances during his spell. This caught the attention of Spanish club Deportivo de La Coruña, who paid €5.2 million for him after the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Playing alongside compatriot Mauro Silva in central midfield, Conceição gradually developed into a key force in the Galicians' rise in Spanish football, as he scored four goals in 27 games in the team's 1999–2000 league conquest. This led to a 2000 move to fellow La Liga side Real Madrid, worth €26 million.

Although he appeared sparingly, Conceição did win two league titles and the 2001–02 edition of the UEFA Champions League – in that competition, he set up Steve McManaman for the closing 2–0 semi-final win against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. He spent the 2003–04 campaign on loan to Borussia Dortmund, where he was also irregularly played.

In the summer of 2004, Conceição moved to Turkey's Galatasaray. In his first and only season he won the Turkish Cup but failed to make the Champions League, thus activating a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave, and he signed for Panathinaikos of Greece.

Afflicted with injuries and loss of form, Conceição was released and retired at the age of 32.

International career
Conceição earned 45 caps for Brazil and scored four goals, and was part of the nation's 1997 and 1999 Copa América-winning sides. He was also picked for two FIFA Confederations Cup tournaments, making four appearances in the 1997 edition for the eventual champions.

In addition, Conceição won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, but was never summoned for any FIFA World Cup.

Honours
Palmeiras
 * Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1993, 1994

Deportivo de La Coruña
 * La Liga: 1999–2000

Real Madrid
 * La Liga: 2000–01, 2002–03
 * Supercopa de España: 2001
 * UEFA Champions League: 2001–02
 * UEFA Super Cup: 2002
 * Intercontinental Cup: 2002

Galatasaray
 * Turkish Cup: 2004–05

Brazil U23
 * Summer Olympic bronze medalist: 1996

Brazil
 * FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997
 * Copa América: 1997, 1999
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up: 1996