Where is Anderson now: From 'Golden Boy' to early retirement
The former Gremio, Manchester United, and Internacional midfielder went from a Champions League winner to ending his career prematurely at 31.
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, widely known simply as Anderson, remains one of the most debated figures in early 21st-century Brazilian football. Starting his journey at Gremio, he became a symbol of early success, remembered by fans for his role in the historic 2005 "Battle of the Aflitos," where his goal helped the club secure a return to the top flight.
The year 2008 marked the pinnacle of his career when he was awarded the prestigious Golden Boy trophy as the best young player in Europe. While playing for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Anderson won four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. However, a combination of injuries and inconsistency prevented him from fulfilling his initial promise as a mainstay in the starting XI.
After returning to Brazil in 2015 to play for Internacional, his career began a gradual decline. Following stints at Coritiba and Turkish club Adana Demirspor, he unexpectedly retired from professional football in 2019 at just 31 years of age.
Since hanging up his boots, Anderson's life has been marked by significant challenges. While he briefly worked in an administrative role at Adana Demirspor, his name has more recently appeared in headlines due to legal troubles in Brazil, including a high-profile case involving child support payments in September 2025.