Marcus Tanaka

Marcus Túlio Amos Murzani Tanaka or Marcus Tanaka is commonly known as Tulio. He is a Brazilian born Japanese football player playing for the J. League club, Nagoya Grampus.

Brazil born defender Marcus image:Marcus Túlio Tanaka|Marcus Túlio Tanakamoved to Japan at the age of 15 and completed his high school studies. After his graduation from Shibuya Makuhari High School, he joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima team in 2001. This six feet one inches tall defender’s strong points include his physical strength and his fierce ability. His future seemed bright after one goal in seventeen games in first term followed by another goal in 22 matches in his second term.

Yet, the team he was in got transferred to second division and he got loaned out to minnows Mito Holly Hock in 2003. This transfer came as a blessing under the captaincy of ex-Japan captain Hideki Maeda. Under him, Tanaka polished his football skills too. Tulio became a Japanese citizen by 2003 and joined Urawa Red Diamonds in 2004 which led him to represent Japan in 2004 Olympics.

In 2008, he played at the AFC Asian Cup qualifying matches, though he missed the finals due to an injury. But, he played an integral part in Takeshi Okada’s team reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He realized that with the Urawa team, he earned success and his debut in Samurai Blue came in 2006. He led his team to the J. League title in 2006 and the AFC Champions League in 2007. His major teams include Sanfrecce Hiroshima from 2001 to 2002, Mito Hollyhock in 2003 and Urawa Red Diamonds from 2004 to 2009.

=== Career Highlights ===

Marcus received the J. League Most Valuable Player award in 2006, the J. League Best Eleven award continuously from 2004 to 2009, and the Japanese Footballer of the year in 2006.

With right to team honors, he received the AFC Champions League in 2007, the J. League Division 1 and the Japanese Super Cup in 2006 and the Emperor’s Cup in 2005 and 2006 consecutively.