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In the first game of the 2014 World Cup, Eduardo Da Silva, a striker for the Croatian national team, may have to play against his native Brazil.
Here is what you need to know about 31-year-old Eduardo Da Silva:
1. He Was Born in Brazil
Eduardo Da Silva was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1983. He began playing soccer at a young age and joined Dinamo Zagreb’s youth football squad in 1999.
In 2001, he was first loaned out to a Croatian team playing in 15 games.
2. He Signed With Arsenal
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In July 2007, Da Silva was signed to one of the UK’s most popular soccer teams, Arsenal. Only 27 at the time, Da Silva was reportedly having a hard time recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle. He played 67 games and scored 20 goals there.
He went to Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donestk in July 2010.
3. He Joined the Croatian Team in 2002
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In 2002, Da Silva became a Croatian citizen and began playing for their national team. To day he has scored 29 international goals for the team, making him the country’s second most successful player in history.
4. He Scored Croatia’s First Goal at the 2006 World Cup
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In Croatia’s first tense match of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Da Silva broke that tension by scoring Croatia’s first goal of the tournament. They did not advance from their group after being surpassed by Brazil and Australia.
5. Croatia Plays Brazil in Game 1 of the World Cup
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On Thursday afternoon June 12, Croatia played Brazil in the first game of the 2014 World Cup. You can watch it here.
