Elano returned to Santos in 2011, and later joined fellow league teams Gremio and Flamengo, before signing for Chennaiyin of the Indian Super League as their marquee player.
50 Facts About Elano
2.
In 2015, after finishing the season as league top scorer, Elano rejoined Santos for a third spell.
3.
Elano earned 50 caps for the Brazil national team between 2004 and 2011, scoring nine goals.
4.
Elano represented the nation at their triumphs in the 2007 Copa America and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Copa America.
5.
Elano began his career with Guarani of Campinas in Sao Paulo state.
6.
Elano subsequently established himself a started at Peixe, and played alongside Robinho, Diego and Alex.
7.
Elano soon gained a reputation as a talented goalscoring midfielder, forming part of the Santos side, which won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2004 by scoring a career-best 22 goals.
8.
Elano made his debut on the opening day of the season against West Ham United, providing the cross for the opening goal.
9.
Elano played in his first Manchester derby against Manchester United on 19 August 2007.
10.
Elano revealed how he enjoyed his new life in Manchester, describing the city as beautiful, and how the weather suited him better than that which he experienced in Ukraine.
11.
Elano admitted surprise at the tempo of football in the Premier League.
12.
Elano was assigned with the squad number 11, previously allocated to Darius Vassell, who switched to the number 12 shirt.
13.
Elano continued his good form by scoring the only goal in a match against Birmingham City and converting a late penalty in the League Cup victory at Bolton Wanderers.
14.
Two weeks later, in the FA Cup third round, Elano scored the winning goal as Manchester City knocked West Ham out of the competition and progressed to the fourth round.
15.
Towards the end of March and beginning of April 2008, Elano scored three penalties against Birmingham City and Sunderland, as well as against Bolton in the second round of the League Cup.
16.
Elano played a left-central midfield role in Mark Hughes' new look side, requiring him to act as a support between left-back Javier Garrido and forward Robinho.
17.
Elano scored a goal from 25 yards out against Omonia on 2 October 2008 to help Manchester City qualify into the group stages of the UEFA Cup.
18.
Elano joined Galatasaray on 30 July 2009, signing a four-year contract with the Turkish club.
19.
Elano was greeted at the airport by over 1,300 fans.
20.
Elano took the number 9 shirt, previously belonging to Hakan Sukur.
21.
Elano made his debut on 20 August 2009 in a UEFA Europa League play-off game against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute.
22.
Elano scored his first goal for the club on his home Super Lig debut against Kayserispor on 23 August 2009, scoring a fantastic left-foot goal from 28 yards.
23.
On 8 July 2012, it was announced that Elano would join Gremio.
24.
Elano had a brief spell at Flamengo in 2014, joining the club on loan from Gremio in January; he stayed until August, when the deal was canceled by the Rio de Janeiro-based club.
25.
Elano finished the season as the league's top scorer with eight goals, but spent time back in Brazil for recuperation following an injury suffered against Pune City.
26.
On 6 January 2015, it was reported that Elano was now a free agent and that he would be pursuing a move back to Brazil.
27.
On 13 January 2015, Elano agreed to a short-term deal with Santos, returning to the club for a third spell.
28.
On 17 June 2015 Elano agreed to a loan back to former club Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League, again as their marquee player.
29.
However, following the final, Elano was involved in controversy in which he was arrested by the Goan police for allegedly assaulting Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar.
30.
Elano was released after spending the night with the Goan police before returning to Brazil the next day.
31.
Elano ended his career with 322 matches and 68 goals only for Santos.
32.
Elano was capped for Brazil in the 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament in January 2004.
33.
In 2007, Elano participated in the Copa America, playing four games for Brazil, including the final against Argentina, during which he assisted a goal before being substituted out due to injury.
34.
Elano scored his sixth international goal against Italy with an all set up by his former Santos and Manchester City teammate Robinho, who went on to score Brazil's second goal.
35.
Elano then set up the match-winning goal for Lucio, completing a stunning second-half comeback in the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup against the United States, helping the Selecao win a third trophy in the competition.
36.
On 14 November 2009, Elano made an assist in a friendly against England.
37.
On 15 June 2010, Elano scored Brazil's second goal against North Korea in their first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the 72nd minute.
38.
Elano scored a goal against the Ivory Coast in the 62nd minute of Brazil's second game but was substituted minutes later with an injury after a very heavy challenge.
39.
Elano did not play for the rest of the tournament due to that injury.
40.
Elano was part of the Brazilian squad at the 2011 edition of Copa America in Argentina.
41.
Elano is married to Alexandra, and they have two daughters.
42.
Elano separated from his wife for a short period of time in 2011 and had an affair with Brazilian actress Nivea Stelmann.
43.
Elano reconciled with his wife later that year and now is a practicing Roman Catholic.
44.
Immediately after retiring Elano remained at his last club Santos, being one of the club's permanent assistant managers.
45.
Elano's reign lasted two matches before the appointment of Levir Culpi.
46.
On 7 August 2019, Elano was announced as manager of another of his former clubs, Inter de Limeira, for the upcoming campaign.
47.
On 27 August 2020, Elano was appointed in charge of Serie B side Figueirense, replacing sacked Marcio Coelho.
48.
On 26 April 2021, Elano replaced Pintado at the helm of Ferroviaria for the latter stages of the 2021 Campeonato Paulista.
49.
On 20 July 2022, Elano was announced as manager of Nautico in the second division.
50.
On 26 January 2023, Elano returned to Ferroviaria, replacing sacked Vinicius Munhoz.