There was a time when Luis Fabiano seemed destined to have a career that flattered to deceive. That time has positively passed, though, and he is now an important figure for club side Sevilla and Brazil.

Luis Fabiano began his career with Ponte Preta in his homeland, but despite excelling in a subsequent period with Sao Paulo, where he gained a reputation for scoring breathtaking goals and helped the club claim the Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo crown, he disappointed during spells with Rennes and Porto, who parted with a sizeable fee to land the striker in 2004.

One year later he became the property of Sevilla, for whom he has since excelled.

Possessing strength, quick feet and a powerful, accurate strike, the Campinas native helped Los Rojiblancos win back-to-back UEFA Cups and the Copa del Rey, and establish themselves as a genuine force in Spanish football. O Fabuloso (The Fabulous) finished as the 24-goal runner-up to Dani Guiza on the 2007/08 La Liga scoring charts.

Born in November 1980, Luis Fabiano made his international debut in 2003 and was part of Brazil's Copa America-winning squad the following year. However, it was not until 2007 that he cemented his place in the team. It was a feat he managed with some stellar performances in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying, in which he finished second to Chile’s Humberto Suazo in the top-scorer’s table with nine goals. He also stood out in the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, where he snatched the adidas Golden Ball, courtesy of five goals in as many matches, including a double in the final against USA.