Dante

Nationality

Brazilian

Date of Birth

18-10-1983

On the Pitch

Dante is a Brazilian centre-back known for his composure, leadership, and ability to play the ball out from the back. He began his career at Juventude before moving to Europe, where he built a long career across France, Belgium, Germany, and later Ligue 1 again. Early spells with Lille, Sporting Charleroi and Standard Liège helped establish him as a reliable defender. His breakthrough at the highest level came after joining Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2009, where he became one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent defenders. In 2012 he moved to FC Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career. Dante played a key role in Bayern’s historic 2012–13 treble season, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League, and added further domestic titles before leaving Germany in 2015 to join VfL Wolfsburg.  

In 2016 he signed for OGC Nice, where he became captain and one of the most respected figures in Ligue 1. Even into his forties, Dante remained a key part of Nice’s defence and leadership group, eventually surpassing 300 appearances for the club and becoming one of its most experienced players. Known for his aerial presence, tactical intelligence, and calm distribution, he built a reputation as a leader both on and off the pitch. Internationally, Dante also represented Brazil national football team, winning the 2013 Confederations Cup and taking part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Off the Pitch

Dante became an ambassador for the German anti-racism initiative “Respekt! Kein Platz für Rassismus”, which promotes tolerance and respect in football and society. In 2013 he also took on an international role as an ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages, a global humanitarian organization supporting vulnerable children and families. His involvement reflected his long-standing interest in social responsibility and community work, particularly projects that focus on youth development and support for disadvantaged families.  

One of the more unusual chapters of his off-field life came in 2013, shortly after Bayern Munich’s historic treble season. While away with the Brazilian national team, Dante recorded a short celebratory video message for his Bayern teammates after their DFB-Pokal victory. The video included him singing about the team’s titles, and the clip quickly went viral among fans. Music producers later turned the recording into two songs. Both tracks were released commercially and surprisingly entered the German single charts, reaching positions 88 and 79 respectively. Dante donated the proceeds to SOS Children’s Villages and victims of the 2013 floods in Germany, turning the viral moment into a charitable initiative.

Clothing Style

Extravagant

Playing Style

Defensive Warrior

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dantebahia