Marcos Senna

Marcos Antônio Senna da Silva (born 17 July 1976 in São Paulo), known as Senna, is a Brazilian-born Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF as a central midfielder.

He is known for his passing range and long shooting and is also a penalty specialist.

Club career

Senna began his career with Rio Branco Esporte Clube. After playing for a number of different Brazilian clubs early in his career, he moved to Spanish club Villarreal CF in 2002, from Associação Desportiva São Caetano. After a slow start (only 25 La Liga appearances in his first two seasons combined), he became an undisputed starter, helping the club reach as far as the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, in 2005–06; eventually, he also gained the club captaincy.

On 27 April 2008, Senna scored a goal from inside the centre circle against Real Betis that he deemed, "the best goal of my life". That season, as the player netted a further three times, in a total of 33 matches, Villarreal finished a club-best second, to champions Real Madrid.

International career

Senna was granted Spanish citizenship in early 2006 and was part of the Spanish squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. His debut came on 1 March, in a friendly match in Valladolid, with Ivory Coast.

In the quarter-finals of the latter competition, Senna scored the third of Spain's four converted penalties, which resulted in the nation progressing to the semifinals at the expense of Italy, winning 4–2...
Read More