22 Facts About Marcos Tavares

Marcos Magno Morales Tavares was born on 30 March 1984 and is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Marcos Tavares is the all-time top goalscorer of Slovenian top division with 159 goals.

At international level, Marcos Tavares was part of the Brazilian youth national teams from under-17 to under-20.

Marcos Tavares was born in Porto Alegre and spent his childhood in the city's slums with his father, a worker at Internacional, and his mother, a teacher.

Marcos Tavares is the youngest of three children and throughout his youth the family was living in poverty, sharing a one bedroom home where all five family members were sleeping in the same room and on the floor.

In 2007, Marcos Tavares moved to Europe as he signed for Cypriot side APOEL.

Marcos Tavares scored four goals in the Cypriot Cup, but in the Cypriot League he played only five matches without scoring any goals.

Marcos Tavares joined the team at their winter training camp in Croatia, and debuted in a friendly game against Sibenik.

Marcos Tavares signed a contract with Maribor on 29 January 2008.

Marcos Tavares soon established himself in the team and among the fans.

Marcos Tavares was the league's second best goalscorer with 15 goals, and was voted the best player of the season.

Marcos Tavares received the Guest Star 2008 award, which is awarded to the best foreign sportsperson in Slovenia.

In October 2009, Marcos Tavares became the team captain after Zoran Pavlovic left the club.

Marcos Tavares was selected as the most distinguished player of the season by the fans of Maribor.

In July 2012, Marcos Tavares scored his tenth goal for Maribor in UEFA competitions in a match against Zeljeznicar Sarajevo, becoming the club's all-time top scorer in UEFA competitions.

In December 2012, Marcos Tavares was again selected as the most distinguished player of the previous season by the fans of Maribor, winning his second "Purple Warrior" trophy.

On 26 April 2014, Marcos Tavares scored his 117th goal for Maribor in a league match against Koper, tying with Branko Horjak as the club's all-time top goalscorer.

On 22 April 2017, Marcos Tavares set a record for the fastest goal scored in the Slovenian top division as he scored after eight seconds in a match against Domzale.

On 25 November 2017, Marcos Tavares scored his 130th goal in the Slovenian top division, tying himself with Stefan Skaper as the all-time top goalscorer in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

In May 2022, Marcos Tavares retired from professional football after spending 15 seasons with Maribor.

Marcos Tavares is multilingual, speaking three languages; Portuguese, Slovene and English.

Marcos Tavares gained Slovenian citizenship on 16 September 2013 after residing in the country for more than five years.