Nivaldo Batista Santana (born 23 June 1980), known simply as Nivaldo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a central defender for Lagarto Futebol Clube.
Football career Born in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Nivaldo started playing with modest Brazilian clubs – he did represent Coritiba Foot Ball Club on two occasions, but appeared rarely – and moved to Portugal with C.F. Os Belenenses in 2007, being an undisputed starter as the Lisbon team finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Cup, with the defender scoring four goals,Nivaldo na mira dos dragões (Nivaldo eyed by dragons); Record, 11 July 2007 (in Portuguese) partnering future FC Porto and Portugal star Rolando in the heart of the back four;Nivaldo renova até 2009 (Nivaldo renews until 2009); Record, 30 May 2007 (in Portuguese) on 28 February 2007, he also helped them come from behind against lowly GD Bragança and reach the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal following a 2–1 away win.Nivaldo (Belenenses): «Dediquei o golo ao treinador porque me tem ajudado muito» (Nivaldo (Belenenses): «I dedicated the goal to the coach because he has helped me a lot»); Mais Futebol, 28 February 2007 (in Portuguese)
Nivaldo joined AS Saint-Étienne for a price of €3 million in summer 2007,Nivaldo deixa o Belenenses pelo Saint-Etienne (Nivaldo leaves Belenenses for Saint-Etienne); Terra, 12 July 2007 (in Portuguese) but featured sparingly in his debut season. The following year he was loaned to Qatari side Umm-Salal Sports Club, allegedly against his will.Nivaldo en veut à l'ASSE (Nivaldo holds grudge against ASSE); Eurosport, 2 October 2008 (in French); Sport, 2 October 2008 (in French)
After being released in June 2009, Nivaldo joined Spanish club Real Valladolid on a one-year contract.El Pucela refuerza su defensa con Nivaldo (Pucela strengthen defence with Nivaldo); Real Valladolid, 6 July 2009 (in Spanish) He made his La Liga debut on 30 August in a 0–0 draw at UD Almería, being sent off in the 13th minute;; ESPN Soccernet, 30 August 2009 he also received his marching orders when he scored his first goal on 4 October, helping the hosts draw 2–2 against Athletic Bilbao.'Principito' Muniain ('Little Prince' Muniain); El País, 4 October 2009 (in Spanish)
In June 2010, after Valladolid's relegation, Nivaldo changed teams and countries again, signing a two-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. of Israel on a free transfer.Visit of two foreign players ; Maccabi Tel Aviv, 14 June 2010 On 1 August he netted his first goal, in a Toto Cup win against Maccabi Netanya FC; thirteen days later, however, he was sidelined for two months due to a knee injury,Tel Aviv tussle costs Lala and Nivaldo; UEFA, 17 August 2010 which forced the club to sign Savo Pavićević as a cover.
Honours Náutico Campeonato Pernambucano: 2002
Coritiba Campeonato Paranaense: 2004
Ashdod Liga Leumit: 2015–16
References
External links
CBF data