From Brazil to India, via the United States, Cambodia, and Angola, Brazilian Sérgio Barboza Jr. has turned football into a true world tour. At 33, the man nicknamed “Jogador Dublê” continues his adventure thousands of kilometers away from his homeland, wearing the colors of AS Tohie’a in Moorea.
Having spent time with Flamengo, where he rubbed shoulders with Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the Brazilian player has plied his trade across several continents throughout his career. But it is a rather unusual challenge that ultimately brought him to French Polynesia: becoming the first footballer, excluding goalkeepers, to play official matches in all six FIFA confederations.
“I’ve played all over the world, and last year I realized that if I play in OFC, I would be the first player to have played in all of FIFA’s confederations. That’s why I came here and joined Tohie’a,” he explains.
A goal achieved on his very first official match with Moorea’s club on October 4. Against AS Tamarii Tapuhute, Sérgio Barboza Jr. scored two goals and provided an assist, contributing to his team’s 5-1 victory. A successful start that also marked another milestone in his unconventional journey.
A return to the field after a year away
But behind this globe-trotting football odyssey lies a career also shaped by difficulties. Last year, a broken foot forced him to stay away from the pitches for a year. A period of doubt for someone who has devoted a large part of his life to football.
“It was one of my biggest challenges to come back onto the field. I stayed a year without playing. Sometimes I thought I might never be able to play again.”, he confesses.
To reconnect with a club, the Brazilian could rely on his online community. Followed by more than 232,000 followers on Instagram, he sent out a plea for help on his social networks. A move that opened the doors to AS Tohie’a in Moorea.
“I have a large following on Instagram, YouTube… and I told my followers that I no longer had a club, I needed help. And the first to reach out to me were from Tohie’a. They said: ‘come train with us, and we’ll see,’” recounts the footballer.
An opportunity that allowed him to return to competition, while adding Oceania to the list of continents where he has played.
The Maracanã, his next dream
Alongside his career, Sérgio Barboza Jr. shares his adventures with his followers on social media. Between cultural discoveries, behind-the-scenes looks at professional football, and the challenges encountered along his experiences, he recounts the daily life of a globe-trotting player. Since arriving in Moorea, he has also been introducing the island’s homeland to his community.
But the player already has a new challenge in mind: stepping onto the pitch at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. He hopes to play a match there as early as next February.
Meanwhile, his Polynesian adventure continues. Four, five, six matches, perhaps more… Sérgio Barboza Jr. does not yet know how many games he will play under Tohie’a’s jersey before setting off again.
