BIOGRAPHY AND CAREER
Ramires Santos do Nascimento born 24 March 1987 in Barra do Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, commonly Ramires, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea in the English Premier League. In 2008, he won a Bronze medal in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
In January 2008, Ramires agreed to a five-year deal with Cruzeiro in a permanent move from Joinville for a fee of $300,000, giving Cruzeiro 70% of the players' economic rights. Joinville kept 30% in the event of any transfers in the future.He was referred to by the fans and media during his time there as the "Queniano Azul", or "Blue Kenyan", due to Cruzeiro's blue kit and his endurance, which was considered reminiscent of Kenyan runners, who are famous for winning many Brazilian running marathons.
Benfica
On 21 May 2009, Ramires joined Portuguese club Sport Lisboa e Benfica for €7.5 million on a five-year contract with a minimum fee release of €30 million.Ramires was everpresent staring as a important player for Benfica through out the season. As the Portuguese giants won the league title after a five-year wait. Ramires in his first and only season with Benfica also won the Taça da Liga beating FC Porto 3-0. In June 2010, Benfica sold 50% of the economic rights to Ramires to Jazzy Limited for €6 million.
Chelsea
On 4 August 2010, Benfica announced they had agreed a deal with English Premier League champions Chelsea and his third-party owner for €22 million. Ramires completed his move to Chelsea on 13 August 2010, on a four-year contract. He was handed the number 7 shirt, previously worn by Andriy Shevchenko. He made his debut on 28 August 2010 against Stoke City, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute, replacing Michael Essien. On 11 September 2010, he made his full Premier League debut, starting against West Ham United. He started in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal on 3 October 2010, winning possession and then putting Ashley Cole through to cross to Didier Drogba for Chelsea's first goal. He recently started in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on 29 December 2010, where his performance was praised and was known to have his best game with Chelsea to date where he made several runs forward and strong tackles winning the balls several times in the midfield. On Chelsea's return fixture at Bolton Wanderers, Ramires scored his first goal as a Chelsea player in a 4–0 win.
International career
On 21 July 2008, Ramires was named the replacement for Robinho on the Brazil U-23 team for the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing. He appeared four times at the Olympics, as Brazil went on to achieve bronze medal.
On 21 May 2009, he was called up for the first time to the Brazilian national team for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
He played his first game for the national team on 6 June 2009, a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Uruguay, in which he came as a substitute for Elano.
Ramires scored his first International goal on 7 June 2010, against Tanzania leading up to the World Cup finals. He scored again later on in the game setting the score to 5–1. In the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals he made a run past three Chilean defenders to set up Robinho for the third goal in the 3-0 victory.
RAMIRES PROFILEFull name: Ramires Santos do Nascimento
Date of birth: 24 March 1987
Place of birth: Barra do Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position: Midfielder
Club information
Current club: Chelsea
Number: 7
Youth career
2005–2006 Joinville
Senior career*
2006–2008 Joinville 14 (3)
2007–2008 → Cruzeiro (loan) 32 (3)
2008–2009 Cruzeiro 29 (7)
2009–2010 Benfica 26 (4)
2010– Chelsea 23 (1)
National team‡
2008 Brazil U23 8 (0)
2009– Brazil 20 (2)
