Marcos Arouca da Silva (born 11 August 1986), commonly known as Arouca, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

Fluminense

Born in Duas Barras, Arouca made his professional debuts with Fluminense in 2004 Brasileirão, appearing 10 times. In the following year he appeared regularly with the side, and scored his first professional goal on 25 September 2005, netting his side's first of a 4–3 home success over Santos.Arouca faz seu primeiro gol entre os profissionais (Arouca scores his first goal in the professionals) ; Canal Fluminense, 25 September 2005

In 2007 Arouca played regularly during the Copa do Brasil winning campaign, and also appeared in 30 matches in the league with Flu finishing fourth. In the following year he was again starter, also being runner-up of that year's Copa Libertadores. In September 2008 he completed 200 matches for Fluminense,Na volta para casa, Arouca dá exemplo e recebe homenagem em Xerém (On the way home, Arouca gives example and receives tribute in Xerém); Globo Esporte, 18 September 2008 finishing the season with 54 appearances overall.

São Paulo On 23 December 2008, Arouca agreed a five-year deal with São Paulo.São Paulo confirma contratação de Arouca e espera liberação (São Paulo confirms Arouca's signing and awaits clearance); UOL Esporte, 23 December 2008 He made his debut for Tricolor on 21 January 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 home draw against Ituano.São Paulo só empata com Ituano na estreia no Estadual (São Paulo only draws with Ituano in State League's debut); IG Esporte, 21 January 2009

However, Arouca served only as a backup to Hernanes and Richarlyson in his only season, and only started in 25 of the 40 matches played in 2009.

Santos

On 19 January 2010, Arouca joined Santos in an on-year loan deal, with Rodrigo Souto moving in the opposite direction.São Paulo e Santos acertam troca de Arouca por Rodrigo Souto (São Paulo e Santos agree swap of Arouca for Rodrigo Souto) ; Globo Esporte, 19 January 2010 He made his debut for the club late in the month, playing the last 28 minutes in a 2–0 home win over Oeste.Ainda sem Robinho, Santos vence e "dorme" na liderança (Still without Robinho, Santos wins and "sleeps" leader) ; Terra, 30 January 2010 As a starter, Arouca was a key defensive unit in that year's Copa do Brasil and Paulista winning campaigns. On 23 July 2010, Santos bought him outright, signing a four-year deal for a €3.5 million fee.Santos paga 3,5 milhões de euros e contrata Arouca em definitivo (Santos pays 3.5 million euros and signs Arouca permanently); Globo Esporte, 23 July 2010

In the following year Arouca was again ever-present, scoring his first goal for Peixe on 15 May 2011, netting the first of a 2–1 home success over Corinthians, in 2011 Campeonato Paulista final.Com direito a drama no fim, Peixe conquista o bi em cima do Timão (With drama in the end, Peixe do the double over Timão); Globo Esporte, 15 May 2011 He was also starter during the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup, which Santos finished champions and runner-up, respectively; Arouca also assisted Neymar in the first goal of the Libertadores' final.Santos é campeão da Libertadores 2011 (Santos is the champion of 2011 Libertadores) ; O Estado de S. Paulo, 23 June 2011

Arouca was again an ever-present figure during 2012, winning his third consecutive Paulistão, also scoring his second goal for Santos on 29 February, against Guarani. On 23 August 2013, he renewed his link with Peixe, running until the end of 2016.Santos renova contrato de Arouca até o fim de 2016 (Santos renews Arouca's contract until the end of 2016) ; O Estado de S. Paulo, 23 August 2013

In March 2014, Arouca was racially abused by the crowd in a state championship game against Mogi Mirim. The abuse was condemned by the nation's president Dilma Rousseff, who invited Arouca to meet her at the Palácio do Planalto along with two others who had suffered similarly, Cruzeiro player Tinga and gaúcho referee Márcio Chagas.

On 9 January 2015, Arouca took a legal action against Santos due to unpaid wages,Arouca entra na Justiça contra o Santos e fica mais perto do Verdão (Arouca takes legal action against Santos and draws near Verdão) ; Gazeta Esportiva, 9 January 2015 despite previously stating that he would not make such action;Com salários atrasados, Arouca descarta processar "segunda casa" (With unpaid wages, Arouca dismisses suing "second home"); Globo Esporte, 18 December 2014 on the 29th, after lengthy negotiations, he rescinded his link with the club and removed his legal action, with Santos also retaining 40% of his rights.Santos aceita acordo, fica com 40% de Arouca e libera volante ao Palmeiras (Santos accepts agreement, stays with 40% of Arouca and releases defensive midfielder to Palmeiras) ; Lance!, 29 January 2015

Palmeiras One day after rescinding with Santos, Arouca signed a four-year deal with Palmeiras.Arouca assina por quatro anos e é o 17º reforço do Verdão para 2015 (Arouca signs for four years and is the 17th addition of Verdão to 2015); Palmeiras' official website, 30 January 2015

International career After appearing with Brazil under-17 and under-20's squads, Arouca made his debut with the main squad on 7 September 2012, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 success over South Africa.Hulk ataca de super-herói e 'salva' Mano, mas Brasil não escapa de vaias (Hulk has super-hero day and 'saves' Mano, but Brazil does not escape from boos); Globo Esporte, 7 September 2012

Despite the call ups and playing in four games, Arouca failed to impress in his performances with the national squad and as a result, he never solidified a position within the team; he was left out of the squad after the replacement of the former coach Mano Menezes by Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalState LeagueOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFluminense2004100––00–100200534312050140–6532006190401120–261200730470–80–4542008291–130120–541Total1228230191360002009São Paulo2009210–30160–400Santos20102809020150–5402011260–10051204312012310–12017120621201326040–180–480201432181–172–574Total1431211240724402646Palmeiras201522070–110–4002016201030120–180201710–0000–10Total250803023000590Atlético Mineiro201800500070–120Vitória2018110––––110Figueirense202020010–60–270Career total342958149116044061315

Honours Fluminense Rio de Janeiro State League: 2005 Copa do Brasil: 2007

Santos Campeonato Paulista: 2010, 2011, 2012 Copa do Brasil: 2010 Copa Libertadores: 2011 Recopa Sudamericana: 2012

Palmeiras Copa do Brasil: 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2016

Individual Campeonato Paulista Team of the year: 2010, 2014, 2015

References

External links