Danilo (footballer, born July 1991)


Danilo Luiz da Silva, known simply as Danilo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Juventus and the Brazil national team.
He began his career with América Mineiro before moving to Santos, where he scored the goal that won the 2011 Copa Libertadores. In January 2012 he moved to Porto, where he won consecutive Primeira Liga titles, and signed for Real Madrid for €31.5 million in 2015; two years later, he joined Manchester City. Following two years at City, where Danilo won two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and two EFL Cups, Danilo joined Juventus in 2019, winning the Serie A title during his first season with the club.
Danilo was first capped by the senior Brazil team in 2011, also winning the 2011 U-20 World Cup and a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He represented the nation at the 2018 World Cup.

Club career

Early years & Santos

Danilo was born in Bicas, Minas Gerais. He played youth football with Tupynambás and América Mineiro, and competed at senior level with the latter club in the Campeonato Mineiro and the Série C, winning the latter in 2009 and gaining promotion.
In May 2010, Danilo was transferred to Santos FC. Investor DIS Esporte acquired 37.5% of his economic rights, Santos another 37.5% for free and the remaining 25% were retained by América. He won the Campeonato Paulista in 2011, and competed in two Série A seasons with the team.
Danilo played the full 90 minutes of both legs of the 2011 Copa Libertadores Finals against Peñarol, the first in central midfield and the second at right back, and scored the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory following a goalless first match.

Porto

In early January 2012, following the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, Danilo signed for Porto of Portugal until June 2016, for €13 million and with a €50 million release clause. Initially he played understudy to Cristian Săpunaru, but soon became first choice, with compatriot Alex Sandro – who signed at the same time – featuring on the other defensive wing as the Vítor Pereira-led team won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
Danilo scored his fourth competitive goal of the 2014–15 season on 18 February, with a penalty kick to equalise at 1–1 away to Basel in the Champions League round of 16.

Real Madrid

On 31 March 2015, it was announced that Danilo would join Real Madrid in July, with the Spaniards paying €31.5 million for his services and signing him to a six-year contract. He made his debut on 23 August, with a goalless draw at promoted Sporting de Gijón which was also the season opener. On 24 October he scored his first goal for the team, in a 3–1 away win against Celta.
Danilo contributed with seven appearances in the 2015–16 edition of the Champions League, as Real won the tournament. In the final against Atlético Madrid, he came on as a substitute for injured Dani Carvajal early into the second half of a 1–1 draw.
In 2016–17, profiting from several physical ailments to Carvajal, Danilo contributed with 17 games and one goal as the club was crowned champions for the first time in five years. He took part in three games in the club's Champions League campaign, helping it to the second consecutive win in the latter tournament.

Manchester City

On 23 July 2017, Danilo signed for English Premier League club Manchester City on a five-year contract, for a reported £26.5 million fee. He scored his first goal for his new team on 23 December, replacing Fabian Delph late into the home fixture against AFC Bournemouth and netting the final goal of a 4–0 home win.

Juventus

Danilo signed for Serie A champions Juventus on 7 August 2019 on a five-year contract for a €37 million fee, in a part-exchange deal that saw João Cancelo move to Manchester City. Danilo made his Juventus debut on 31 August, against Napoli, in which he scored the opening goal of an eventual 4–3 home victory, while also being the fastest goal scored by a foreign player in Serie A.
In the 2020 Coppa Italia Final against Napoli on 17 June, following a 0–0 draw after regulation time, Danilo missed Juventus's second spot kick in the resulting shoot-out, hitting the ball over the crossbar; Napoli ultimately won the match 4–2 on penalties.

International career

Courtesy of his Santos performances, Danilo made his debut for Brazil on 14 September 2011 at the age of just 20, featuring in the first leg of that year's Superclásico de las Américas, a 0–0 away draw against Argentina. In the same year, he started for the under-20s at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the tournament in Colombia ending in victory.
Danilo represented the under-23 team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He played four matches in an eventual silver medal conquest, scoring against New Zealand in the group stage.
Danilo was also named in Tite's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, making his debut in the competition on 17 June by playing the entire 1–1 draw to Switzerland. He picked up an injury on 6 July the day before the quarter-final clash with Belgium, being sidelined for the remainder of the tournament.
He scored his first senior international goal on 19 November 2019, in a 3–0 friendly win against South Korea, in Abu Dhabi.

Style of play

In 2012, Marca compared Danilo to compatriot and fellow right-back Dani Alves, describing him as: "a tireless right back with an attacking streak and a polished technique. His continual runs up and down the flank also serve to make him a tough defender, who plays well as a sweeper and anticipates the play. He measures 6 feet tall and, in spite of his slender build, does well up top," also dubbing him as being "one of the best right backs of the future," due to his high quality performances at the time. Although primarily a right-back, he has also been deployed as a right-winger, or even as a defensive midfielder in front of the back-line on occasion. Under his Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri he has also been used as a makeshift left-back.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.19 November 2019Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates3–03–0Friendly

Honours

América Mineiro
Santos
Porto
Real Madrid
Manchester City
Juventus
Brazil
Individual