Zé Elias
José Elias Moedim Júnior, aka Zé Elias (born September 25, 1976 in São Paulo, SP), is a retired Brazilian football defensive midfielder, who played in various championships throughout Europe.
He is the older brother of current U.S. Città di Palermo goalkeeper Rubinho.
Football career
Elias was one of the youngest players to ever appear for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, already gaining strong interest from European clubs as PSV Eindhoven during 1993-94. Upon his debut for the team, he had not yet reached his seventeenth birthday. After becoming an undisputed starter at Corinthians and first appearing for the Brazilian national team at 19, Elias went overseas, representing, with moderate individual success, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, F.C. Internazionale Milano, Bologna F.C. 1909, Olympiacos CFP (winning three Greek championships in a row, but playing sparingly) and Genoa C.F.C.. After a return to Brazil with Santos Futebol Clube, Elias had short-lived stints with FC Metalurh Donetsk, Guarani Futebol Clube, Omonia Nicosia and Londrina Esporte Clube. He retired as a player in March 2008 and assumed a scouting role in Brazil for Inter Milan. However, in June, Elias signed a contract with Austrian League outfit SC Rheindorf Altach. Internationally, Elias also represented Brazil at the 1996 Summer Olympics, winning bronze.Honours
- São Paulo State League: 1995
- Brazilian Cup: 1995
- UEFA Cup: 1997-98
- Greek League: 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03
- Brazilian League: 2004
- Summer Olympics: Bronze medal, 1996