VIDEO: Barreto magic in Calcutta League vs Md Sporting

In yesterday's Calcutta Premier Division match Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto showed for Bhowanipore Club once more his class against Mohammedan Sporting Club. Here the report from ABP Ananda!

VIDEO: An homage for Jose Ramirez Barreto

Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto is one of the best ever foreigners to play in India. Here a video homage for Barreto, who currently plays for I-League Division 2 side Bhowanipore Club. Watch and enjoy!

Jose Barreto officially joins Bhowanipore Club

Brazilian Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto on Friday signed a two year contract with aspiring Calcutta Premier Division side Bhowanipore Club just days after playing his final game for his long-time club Mohun Bagan AC. Barreto joining Bhowanipore was the worst kept secret in the Kolkata football circuit in recent weeks.

Fellow Brazilian Robson Mattos, who also has been at Mohun Bagan in the past, has been appointed as the new coach. The club also announced that Barreto would captain the side and will wear the No. 10 jersey that was presented to him on Friday.

"It's time to move forward. They approached me first and I readily accepted. They have a vision to move ahead," Barreto said at a programme at the clubs Maidan tent.

For Barreto at 35 it is a new start and an opportunity to help the aspiring club reach the I-League, which it didn't achieve in their first-ever participation in the 2nd Division this season.

That the Mohun Bagan chapter is closed for him was evident in his answer about what he would feel if he took on Mohun Bagan and even went on to score. "I'm a professional! All goals I score will be important for me and the club."

Bhowanipore surely have gained a new leader in one of the most liked footballers around.

Jose Barreto scores in final Mohun Bagan match

35 year old Brazilian Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto played his last match for long-time club Mohun Bagan AC against Pune FC in the I-League at the Saltlake Stadium yesterday.

The match had a fairytale start then Jose Barreto went on to score Mohun Bagan's first in the 6th minute following a pass from fellow Brazilian Hudson Lima da Silva. His last goal in green-and-maroon colours. Odafe would go on to score a second just a minute from time for a 2-0 win, but what mattered was that Barreto was given a fitting farewell not only by his team mates but also the fans.

It was a hot day in Kolkata still more then 30,000 fans came to the Saltlake Stadium for an inconsequential match just to see Jose Barreto, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his performance for one last time though he did fight with his own body to stay on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes.

West Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra handed the Brazilian a cheque of Rs 100,000 (1 lakh) from the West Bengal Sports Council for his contribution to the sport in the state in a 20-minute felicitation ceremony that preceded the match.

Further hundreds of balloons with 'Barreto' written on them were released into the sky. He even kicked about 30 balls into the crowd during the break.

Barreto has scored more then 200 goals for Mohun Bagan in 11 years at the club, the only players to achieve this at one single club in India. Barreto had first joined Mohun Bagan in 1999 from Grêmio Porto Alegre and had five successful years before leaving the club to play a season each for Penang FA (Malaysia) and Mahindra United before rejoining the green-and-maroon in 2006 for a second six year spell. Now Barreto leaves, but is set to stay in Kolkata and join aspiring Bhowanipore Club.

Jose Barreto to leave Mohun Bagan this summer

35 year old Brazilian Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto at a press conference in Kolkata today announced that he would be leaving the green-and-maroon at the end of the season 13 years after first playing for the Kolkata giants.

"It's time for me to leave the club. You never plan this day but it has to happen some day. It was a real pleasure for me in donning the green and maroon jersey with pride for so many years," said an emotional Barreto infront of the media at the clubs Maidan tent.

Barreto has scored more then 200 goals for Mohun Bagan in 11 years at the club, the only players to achieve this at one club in India. Barreto had first joined Mohun Bagan in 1999 from Grêmio Porto Alegre and had five successful years before leaving the club to play a season each for Penang FA (Malaysia) and Mahindra United before rejoining the green-and-maroon in 2006 for a second six year spell.

"I am guided by my emotions, maybe some are correct and some are wrong. But that's the way of life. I have no regrets as I have always given 100 per cent to my favourite team. You cannot correct the mistakes now, it's past," Barreto said speaking about his decision why he is leave the club due to numerous injuries in the recent past.

"I think, I have it in me to continue playing for some more time, but have not decided on the club I will play for. And, of course I will continue to stay in Calcutta which has taught me a lot," said Barreto who is said to be speaking with Bhowanipore Club about a player-cum-coaching role.

As a mark of respect for what he has done for Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, the club has decided to treat the final I-League match against Pune FC on May 6 as Barreto's farewell match and has lined-up celebrations for Barreto's final game.

Jose Barreto with his family, would be driven around the Salt Lake stadium in an open jeep and felicitated by West Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra. The club was also contemplating preserving his no. 10 jersey at the tent.

With Barreto a gentleman footballer is set to leave the top tier in Indian football, who has given more then 100% for his club over the years. It has always been a pleasure to interact with him, talk football and other things.

Wish you all the best my friend!