Sandro (footballer, born 1989)

Brazilian footballer

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Guimarães and the second or paternal family name is Cordeiro.

Sandro

Sandro warming up for Tottenham Hotspur in 2010

Personal information
Full name|  Sandro Raniere
Guimarães Cordeiro[1]
Date of birth|  (1989-03-15) 15 March 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth|  Riachinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Height|  1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s)|  Defensive midfielder
Team information

Current team

|  Harborough Town
Number|  30
Youth career
2005–2007|  Internacional
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2007–2010|  Internacional|  43|  (4)
2010–2014|  Tottenham Hotspur|  81|  (3)
2014–2017|  Queens Park Rangers|  34|  (1)
2016|  → West Bromwich Albion (loan)|  12|  (0)
2017–2018|  Antalyaspor|  15|  (0)
2018|  → Benevento (loan)|  14|  (1)
2018–2019|  Genoa|  13|  (0)
2019|  → Udinese (loan)|  12|  (0)
2020|  Goiás|  17|  (0)
2021–2022|  B-SAD|  7|  (1)
2024–2025|  Harborough Town|  3|  (0)
International career
2009|  Brazil U20|  8|  (1)
2012|  Brazil U23|  7|  (2)
2009–2012|  Brazil|  17|  (1)

Medal record

Representing  Brazil
Men's Football
| 2012 London | Team Competition

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:06, 5 November 2024

Sandro Raniere Guimarães Cordeiro (born 15 March 1989), or simply Sandro, is a Brazilian footballer who recently played as a midfielder for Southern League Premier Division Central club Harborough Town.[3]

## Club career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Sandro is a product of Internacional's youth academy. He signed his first professional contract and began his senior career in 2007 as an 18-year-old.[citation needed]

Sandro was one of the main players of Inter's winning 2010 Copa Libertadores campaign. Sandro was already signed to Tottenham through most of the competition, but that did not affect his performance negatively: on the contrary, he said he "live[d] with great intensity, as each game could be the last".[4] With this in mind, he worked hard to stay at Internacional as long as possible in order to help the team reach the finals. After winning South America's top trophy, he flew to England the following week.[5]

### Tottenham Hotspur

[edit]

In August 2009 Tottenham Hotspur were reported to have had a £14 million bid rejected for the player.[6] However, on 20 October 2009, Spurs and Internacional agreed an affiliation of the two clubs, ensuring that Tottenham have first option on all academy players from the Brazilian outfit. Six days later Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he was interested in Sandro for a fee rumoured to be around £8 million.[7]

On 10 March 2010, Internacional President Vitorio Piffero confirmed the transfer of the midfielder to Tottenham, after the Copa Libertadores. The transfer amount was speculated to be around €10 million, with only the contract yet to be signed.[8]

Both Internacional and Tottenham reported on their respective websites that a deal had been agreed for Sandro for an undisclosed fee.[9][10] Sandro joined Tottenham following the end of the Copa Libertadores, which finished on 18 August. Internacional's financial report stated that the fee was R$ 20,633,850, with about 25% re-distributed by Inter to third party owners.[11]

Tottenham Hotspur confirmed that a deal for Sandro had been completed and that he would join up at the end of Internacional's Copa Libertadores campaign.[12] Sandro said of the move to England that he thought Spurs were "a great fit for me" and that "a club that is growing every year makes it the ideal club for me".[13] He made his Tottenham debut in a 4–1 home defeat against Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup on 21 September 2010.

On 9 January 2011, Sandro made a start against League One side Charlton Athletic, assisting Andros Townsend and playing the full match. He made his UEFA Champions League debut for Tottenham on 15 February 2011 at the San Siro against seven times winners A.C. Milan, receiving special praise from manager Harry Redknapp in his side's 1–0 win. Playing a pivotal role just in front of the back four, he was man of the match in the return leg at White Hart Lane.[14] He scored his first goal for the club against Chelsea with a 35-yard volley in a 2–1 defeat.

Sandro signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham on 8 September 2011, a deal which would have run till 2016.[15]

In January 2013, Sandro picked up a knee injury during the game against Queens Park Rangers. After the game it was announced that Sandro would be out for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.[16] Prior to the game, after a run of impressive performances Sandro has been affectionately nicknamed 'Beast' by the Tottenham fans.

He scored his third goal in Tottenham colours in December 2013 against Manchester United, with a powerful shot from 25 yards (23 m) into the top corner described by opponent Wayne Rooney as "a great strike".[17]

### Queens Park Rangers

[edit]

On 1 September 2014, Sandro signed for Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.[18] He made his debut against Manchester United, coming off injured and replaced by Karl Henry.[19] He scored his first goal for QPR against former club Tottenham on 7 March 2015.[20]

On 29 January 2016, Sandro signed for West Brom on loan.[21] He made his debut in the 1–1 draw with Swansea City.[22]

### Antalyaspor

[edit]

On 11 January 2017, Sandro signed for Turkish club Antalyaspor on a three-year deal.[23] On 10 January 2018, Sandro signed with a loan contract with Benevento until 30 June 2018.[24] He made his debut on 28 January 2018 in 3–0 away loss against Torino.[25] He scored his first goal for Benevento during his 4th match by scoring the 1-1 goal in a 3–2 home win against Crotone.[26]

### Genoa

[edit]

On 3 July 2018, Sandro signed a contract with Italian club Genoa.[27] His contract with Genoa was terminated in early 2020 after he didn't appear in any games for the club in the first half of the 2019–20 season.[28]

### Udinese

[edit]

On 31 January 2019, Sandro joined Udinese on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[29]

### Goiás

[edit]

On 18 January 2020, he joined Goiás.[30]

### Retirement

[edit]

On 4 September 2023, Sandro announced his retirement from professional football.[31]

### Harborough Town

[edit]

On 5 November 2024, Harborough Town of the Southern League Premier Central announced that Sandro had signed a contract with the club.[32] He was convinced by Harborough Town manager Mitch Austin after meeting him at a Tottenham Hotspur game and was jokingly offered a chance to play for the club.[33] Sandro agreed to play for free.[33] He made his debut in the second round proper of the FA Cup, playing 46 minutes in a 5-3 extra time loss against Reading F.C.

## International career

[edit]

Sandro playing for Brazil in a friendly against Scotland in March 2011

Having represented Brazil at Under-20 level,[34] and captaining them at the 2009 South American Youth Championship,[35][36] Sandro made his full debut for the Brazil national team as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Chile on 9 September 2009.[37] He was named as 1 of 7 back-up players to the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.[38]

## Personal life

[edit]

During his time in England, Sandro became interested in darts, and recorded a video with professional player Bobby George.[39]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

As of match played 16 September 2020 [40][41]
Club  | Season  | League  | Cup  | League Cup  | Continental  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Internacional | 2008 | Série A | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2
2009 | 27 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 48 | 1
2010 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 36 | 1
Total  | 43 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 95 | 4
Tottenham Hotspur | 2010–11 | Premier League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 26 | 1
2011–12 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 27 | 0
2012–13 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 27 | 1
2013–14 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 25 | 1
2014–15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0
Total  | 81 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 3
Queens Park Rangers | 2014–15 | Premier League  | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 1
2015–16 | Championship | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0
2016–17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 8 | 3
Total  | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4
West Bromwich Albion (loan)  | 2015–16 | Premier League  | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0
Antalyaspor | 2016–17 | Süper Lig | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0
2017–18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0
Total  | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0
Benevento (loan)  | 2017–18 | Serie A | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 1
Genoa | 2018–19 | Serie A  | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 0
Udinese (loan)  | 2018–19 | Serie A  | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 0
Goiás | 2020 | Série A | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0
Harborough Town | 2024–25 | Southern League Premier Division Central  | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Career Total  | 231 | 9 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 39 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 319 | 12

### International

[edit]

As of 5 September 2015 [42]
National team  | Year  | Major competition  | Friendlies  | Total

|
|
|
|

Tournament | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Brazil U-23 | 2012 | 2012 Men's Olympic Football | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1
Brazil | 2009 | 2010 WC Qualifier | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
2010 | - | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0
2011 | 2011 Copa América[a] | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1
2012 | - | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0
Total | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 1

1. ^ Player was part of the squad but has not played on any matches

## Honours

[edit]

Internacional

* Copa Libertadores: 2010

Brazil

* Olympic Silver Medal: 2012[43]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sandro Raniere". sandroraniere.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
2. ^ "Raniere Sandro". Genoa Cricket and Football Club.
3. ^ "Belenenses SAD anuncia Sandro: "É como se estivesse a assinar o primeiro contrato"".
4. ^ "Sandro: "Vivo com a maior intensidade, pois cada jogo pode ser o último" | Notícias | Inter no Mundial 2010 | Internacional | Futebol | RS – clicEsportes". Clicrbs.com.br. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
5. ^ "Sandro lands Copa Libertadores – News Articles". Tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
6. ^ "Sandro focused on Inter". Skysports.com. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
7. ^ "Redknapp reveals Sandro interest". BBC News. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
8. ^ "Internacional starlet Sandro: Tottenham will redo their offer". Onenewspage.com. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
9. ^ "Sandro deal agreed". Tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
10. ^ "Assinado o termo de opção entre Inter e Tottenham para a venda do volante Sandro (In Portuguese)". Internacional.com.br. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
11. ^ "RELATÓRIO DA DIRETORIA 2010" (PDF). SC Internacional (in Portuguese). 28 April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
12. ^ "Sandro deal complete". Tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
13. ^ Transfer Zone (25 April 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: New Tottenham Hotspur Signing Sandro: Despite Arsenal's Interest, Spurs Are My Ideal Club". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
14. ^ "Match Report. Tottenham v AC Milan – 9th March 2011. Sky Sports". SkySports. 9 March 2011.
15. ^ "Sandro signs five-year deal". Tottenhamhotspur.com. 8 September 2011.
16. ^ "Tottenham midfielder Sandro out for season after knee surgery". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013.
17. ^ Tynan, Gordon (1 December 2013). "Tottenham Hotspur 2 Manchester United 2: Two-goal Wayne Rooney salutes Sandro's goal for Spurs 'It was a great strike'". The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
18. ^ "Transfer news: QPR sign midfielder Sandro from Tottenham". 2 September 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
19. ^ "Man Utd 4-0 QPR". BBC Sport. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
20. ^ "QPR 1-2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
21. ^ "Albion have completed the loan signing of Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sandro". West Bromwich Albion Football Club. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
22. ^ Osborne, Chris (2 February 2016). "West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Swansea City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
23. ^ "Sandro: Brazil midfielder leaves QPR for Antalyaspor in Turkey". BBC Sport. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
24. ^ "Sandro on loan to Benevento". www.gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
25. ^ "Torino vs Benevento | Football Italia". www.football-italia.net. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
26. ^ "Sandro Cordeiro scores in the match Benevento vs Crotone - Live Sports Video Highlights & Goals - Sporttube.com". www.sporttube.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
27. ^ "Sandro signed with Genoa" (in Italian). Retrieved 3 July 2018.
28. ^ "Sandro si è svincolato: 'Genoa, perché ti sei comportato così?'" (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 7 January 2020.
29. ^ "UFFICIALE: Udinese, colpo Sandro" (in Italian). Retrieved 3 February 2019.
30. ^ @goiasoficial (18 January 2020). "Arte do torcedor" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
31. ^ "Sandro announces his retirement". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
32. ^ "SANDRO SIGNS FOR HARBOROUGH TOWN FC!!". Harborough Town FC. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
33. ^ a b "Ex-Brazil int'l Sandro signs for non-league team". ESPN.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
34. ^ "Sandro Ranieri Guimaraes Cordeiro Profile". ESPN Soccernet. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
35. ^ "Redknapp excited at Sandro signing". The Independent. UK. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
36. ^ James Callow (24 March 2010). "Harry Redknapp takes Joe Cole off Tottenham Hotspur's shopping list". Guardian. UK. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
37. ^ "Match Report: Brazil Chile 9 September 2009". FIFA.com. 9 September 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009.
38. ^ "Comissão técnica da Seleção Brasileira divulga a lista complementar enviada à FIFA". CBF.com.br (in Portuguese). 11 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
39. ^ "Feature: When Sandro met Bobby (7:33)". Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
40. ^ "Sandro". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
41. ^ "SANDRO". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
42. ^ "Sandro". NFT. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
43. ^ Irvin, Duncan (11 August 2012). "Mexico Wins Soccer Gold Medal, 2-1". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sandro Ranieri.

* Sandro at tottenhamhotspur.com
* Sandro at ESPN FC
* Sandro at National-Football-Teams.com
* Internacional.com.br Archived 21 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
* Sandro at Soccerbase
* Sandro – FIFA competition record (archived)

Brazil squads

* v
* t
* e

Brazil squad – 2011 Copa América

* 1 Júlio César
* 2 Dani Alves
* 3 Lúcio (c)
* 4 Thiago Silva
* 5 Lucas Leiva
* 6 André Santos
* 7 Robinho
* 8 Ramires
* 9 Pato
* 10 Ganso
* 11 Neymar
* 12 Victor
* 13 Maicon
* 14 Luisão
* 15 Sandro
* 16 Elano
* 17 Elias
* 18 Lucas
* 19 Fred
* 20 Jádson
* 21 Adriano
* 22 Jefferson
* 23 David Luiz
* Coach: Mano Menezes

* v
* t
* e

Brazil men's football squad – 2012 Summer Olympics – Silver medalists

* 1 Gabriel
* 2 Rafael
* 3 Thiago Silva (c)
* 4 Juan Jesus
* 5 Sandro
* 6 Marcelo
* 7 Lucas
* 8 Rômulo
* 9 Leandro Damião
* 10 Oscar
* 11 Neymar
* 12 Hulk
* 13 Bruno Uvini
* 14 Danilo
* 15 Alex Sandro
* 16 Ganso
* 17 Pato
* 18 Neto
* Coach: Mano Menezes

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template