Bernard’s Atletico Mineiro won the Copa Libertadores last night, in no small thanks to former Manchester City disappointment, Jo.
What a couple of months it has been for Jo, a striker who had appeared to have firmly edged from top striking prospect to journeyman forward.
After sensational form in Russia convinced Manchester City to splash £18 million on him in 2008, his career began to unravel, failing to ever hit the heights expected of him.
He ended up being loaned out to Everton, where he similarly struggled for consistency, and even ended up being suspended by manager David Moyes after one trip back to Brazil too many.
Last night he was part of the Atletico Mineiro line-up attempting to overcome a 2-0 first leg deficit in the Copa Libertadores final over Olimpia of Paraguay, in their efforts to win it for the first time.
He was hardly the main attraction in the line-up, many eyes were on Ronaldinho’s quest to join a unique set of players to win South America’s most prestigious competition and Europe’s Champions League which he won with Barcelona against Arsenal in 2006.
Speaking of Arsenal, the Gunners were widely speculated to have had a scout in attendance to monitor the performance of Bernard, the latest sensation to emerge from the country, who it was claimed early this week had even struck a deal with the club for a £21 million, a report Arsene Wenger said was not true, even if he did not deny interest in the player.
So with Brazilian sensations past and future supplying the ammunition on home turf, which one of them would steal the show?
Well the answer is neither, the man who instigated their fightback was the former Manchester City and Everton man, Jo.
The striker is currently experiencing a little of a renaissance, and at 26 may even be peaking and ready to fulfil his potential.
He was called into Brazil’s Confederations Cup squad at the last minute as cover for his former Interncational teammate, the injured Leandro Damiao, and did not disappoint.
He struck his first ever international goals against Mexico and Japan as he enhanced his global reputation, reminding us over here in England that he is very much still determined to make a success of his career.
So just a month after landing a major international prize, he now has a Copa Libertadores medal to add to his collection too.
His goal just after half-time inspired a fightback, with Mineiro winning 2-0 on the night and taking it to penalties.
Jo became the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals, and teammate Ronaldinho summed it up, telling reporters:
“I came back to Brazil for this. A few months ago, they said Jo and I were over, but we have proved the players are not always wrong.”
Arsenal’s scouts did at least have something to take from watching Bernard, for it was his cross for Leandro Silva which sealed Atletico’s crucial equaliser.
Penalty shoot-out success meant a historic night for Atletico Mineiro; Jo will be advised to stay put and continue his success, but you can expect Bernard to be on his way to Europe very soon…
Watch full highlights below:
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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