Option declined following 2016 season.
An attacking player with a sterling resume known as "The Beast" thanks to his size, power and intensity, Baptista has scored 163 goals in 526 appearances across his club career and secured eight goals in 45 career caps with Brazil.
INTERNATIONAL: Baptista earned his first cap came in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, in a 0–0 draw against Japan. He also played in the 2005 Confederations Cup and scored three goals for Brazil at the 2007 Copa América, where scored the opener in a 3–0 defeat of Argentina in the final. He took part in the 2010 World Cup and has helped Brazil win two FIFA Confederations Cup (2005 and 2009) and two Copa America titles (2004 and 2007).
OUTSIDE MLS: Along with Kaká, he came through the Sao Paulo Academy and graduated up to the club’s first team before moving to Europe in 2003 to join Spanish side Sevilla. There he jump-started his career with an incredible 62 goals in 90 appearances. Baptista was awarded the Ramon de Carranza (2004) title during his time with the club. He moved on to play for Real Madrid in 2005 alongside the likes of Robinho, David Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, among others, showing a signature ability to make late runs into the penalty area. He notched 16 goals in 85 appearances under the leadership of three separate head coaches at Real Madrid. Shortly after, Baptista went on loan to Arsenal in 2006, where he worked mainly as a center forward. He left the Gunners with 10 goals in 35 appearances and also opened his Champions League account with a powerful header from an Emmanuel Eboue cross vs. Hamburg in 2006. After helping Madrid win La Liga in 2008, the 34-year-old transferred to Roma in 2008 and moved to Malaga in 2011 before returning to Brazil with Cruzeiro in 2013, netting 17 goals in 62 appearances.
