Bruno Fernandes de Souza

Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza (born 23 December 1984 in Ribeirão das Neves), known as Bruno, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Flamengo. His contract was suspended in July 2010 and eventually expired in December 2012.
On 8 March 2013 he was sentenced to a 22-year jail term for the assault and murder of his former girlfriend and mother of his youngest child.

Corinthians

In 2006, Bruno was signed by investment fund Media Sports Investments, which has been linked to various transactions with Atlético Mineiro; the deal was speculated to have been worth around € 2 million, plus 15% on a future deal. He went on to sign a contract, until the end of the year, with Corinthians, then a partner of MSI. However, following manager Émerson Leão's continuous refusal to play Bruno over home-grown keeper Marcelo, Bruno became deeply unsatisfied. With no match played for Corinthians, he was loaned out to Flamengo.

Flamengo

At his new side, Bruno arrived in the same week Diego, the first team goalkeeper at the time, suffered an injury. He instantly replaced incumbent Diego as first choice goalkeeper. He made his début in a match against Internacional and then delivered some impressive performances, cementing his starting position between the posts for the rest of the season. In 2007, he became a fan favourite for his great showings, specially on penalties, by making three saves in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship 2007 finals against Botafogo, helping Flamengo become the champions. Throughout the year, it was speculated that Bruno would depart for Europe, with MSI wishing to cash-in on him, and the goalkeeper was linked with Barcelona.

For around €3million, Flamengo sealed a permanent deal with Bruno in 2008, with the player stating his desire to be with the rubro-negro for the foreseeable future. Bruno scored his first professional goal on 23 April 2008, from a free kick, which led the way for a crucial 2–0 victory over Coronel Bolognesi in the Copa Libertadores. Bruno scored his second goal on 23 October 2008, in a penalty kick against Coritiba. He scored his third goal for Flamengo on 4 February 2009, in a free kick, against Mesquita.

After the retirement of Fábio Luciano, in May 2009, Bruno became team captain. On 12 July 2009 Bruno completed, against São Paulo, his 100th match for Flamengo in the Brazilian Série A, the game finished in a 2–2 draw.

His fourth career goal, this time from a free kick, was for Flamengo on 26 May 2010, in a Campeonato Brasileiro match which they lost 2–1 to Fluminense.

In July 2010, Flamengo announced the club had suspended Bruno's contract as a result of the murder investigation and the club lawyer would no longer act in his defence. In September 2010 according to news report Bruno had tried to commit suicide twice while in prison waiting for his trial to begin.

Career statistics

(Correct as of 6 June 2010)

according to combined sources on the Flamengo official website and Flaestatística.

• In 2006 Bruno played for Atlético Mineiro in the Brazilian Série B.

• Atlético-MG confirma venda de Bruno ao Corinthians (Portuguese)
• Camisa 1 do Flamengo na mira de clube espanhol (Portuguese)
• Fla anuncia acerto com Bruno (Portuguese)
• "Copa Libertadores: Flamengo beats Coronel Bolognesi 2-0 to win Group 4". CBS Sports. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2009. 
• "Após gol, Bruno admite que foi "no embalo da torcida"" (in Portuguese). Terra. 23 October 2008. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2009. 
• "Bruno e Zé Roberto marcam e Flamengo vence Mesquita" (in Portuguese). Estadão. 4 February 2009. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2009. 
• "Flamengo perde a invencibilidade no Brasileiro. Bruno marca, mas Fla não vira." (in Portuguese). Flamengo.com.br. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2010. 
• "Flamengo vai demitir Bruno por justa causa e processá-lo por perdas e danos" (in Portuguese). O Globo. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010. 
• "Bruno Fernandes Attempts Suicide in Prison". Brazilian Football. October 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010. 
• Flamengo official website (in Portuguese)
• Flaestatística (in Portuguese)

Club

• Flamengo
  • Taça Guanabara: 2007, 2008
  • Taça Rio: 2009
  • Rio de Janeiro State League: 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Brazilian Série A: 2009

On 9 June 2010, the athlete's former girlfriend, Eliza Samudio, disappeared. In July 2010, a Brazilian judge ordered his arrest in connection with her disappearance. A cousin of Fernandes de Souza told police that he had taken part in Samudio's abduction with his friend, Luiz Henrique Ferreira Romao. He also stated that Samudio was dead but did not say how she died, nor where her body was, and that Fernandes de Souza was the father of her baby despite him being married. Since then he has lost the club's captaincy, Flamengo have also suspended his contract with the club while the club's lawyer will no longer be representing him in court. Bruno signed another contract that allows him to leave jail with an officer to train and play soccer.

In late July, he was formally charged with murder, kidnapping, hiding a body, forming a criminal gang (conspiracy) and corrupting minors. According to police, Bruno's teenage cousin stated that Samudio's body was cut up and some parts were fed to dogs, while other parts were buried under concrete. The case has led to debate in Brazil concerning misbehavior by professional athletes and growing crime against women.