Manoel Filho

A footballer from Brazil, Manoel de Brito Filho started out in the youth division of EC Vitoria, in 2001. He remained there for one season, after which he began playing professionally for the same club. Filho, who is popularly known as Obina, spent one season with Fluminense before he returned to Vitoria. His return to the club was quite triumphant, when he scored 18 goals in the Brazilian National Championship, bagging the top scorer title in the team, which he shared with Edilson.

At the end of the season, Filho was transferred to Al-Ittihad, where he remained for one season again, and then moved to his current club, Club de Regatas do Flamengo. A favorite amongst Flamengo fans, Filho is often compared to Samule Eto's, Brazilian player. In fact, fans often chant, 'Obina e melhor que o Eto'o', or that 'Obina is better than Eto'o'.

Known to be a folklore believer, Filho was even termed 'culturally naive', by the Director of Flamengo's Football Department, Kleber Leite. But his skill was undeniable, as Filho was instrumental in the 2006 Brazilian Cup win, for Flamengo.

This successful period was followed by considerable misfortune, which involved an injury in a match against Vasco da Gama, in 2007, which kept him off the field for 6 months. Following his return, Filho ended up with a 120 day suspension, after hitting Internacional player, Indio with his elbow. In 2008, Filho went on to bag the Campeonato Carioca, which was largely due to his three impressive goals against Botafogo. Fenerbahce has shown interest in the player, clearly impressed by the striker's skill.

Some of his top honors also include the Bahia State Championship in 2004, during his tenure with Vitoria. Filho has also bagged the Rio de Janeiro State League title as well the Taca Guanabara both with Flamengo and in 2007 and 2008.