Kléberson Is Ready To Renew Career In Fort Lauderdale

Early in the 2015 Spring Season, Kléberson sustained an injury to his Achilles tendon that required surgery. The veteran Brazilian midfielder thought it was the end of the line for a career that took him to England, Turkey, and World Cups.

“My first thought was that I was done,” Kléberson, 36, told NASL.com. “The Achilles injury is no easy injury.”

The injury occurred in training while he was rehabbing from a hamstring issue that persisted through the 2015 preseason. Had it not been for a strong support system, Kléberson may not have stepped back on the field.

“My family, especially my wife, she helped me a lot and my kids supported me a lot,” he said. “I waited and was working and now I feel good. I want to play, maybe, two more years.”

Kléberson, though, is in new surroundings. He has moved south to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers after spending two seasons with Indy Eleven. In Fort Lauderdale, he will play for Ronaldo, who scored a goal for Brazil in the 2002 World Cup Final off an assist from Kléberson.

“I have a good relationship with Ronaldo, he’s an amazing person,” Kléberson said. “When we won the World Cup, he was close to me. He said a lot of good words to me – I was a kid, only 22 years old. Now, he’s going to be my boss, so it’s very different. It’s good.”

Kléberson will take his experience and leadership to the Strikers. While out injured last season, he spent time on the bench as the assistant to interim coach Tim Regan and learned even more about the game and the league. 

“There are a lot of guys younger and soccer now is a big difference from 10 years ago,” Kléberson said. “I try to pass my experiences at other clubs – Manchester United, in Turkey [with Besiktas], and the national team. Here there are great boys, great kids. It’s good when you mix the young guys and old.”

While the prognosis, initially, was up to a year for recovery, Kléberson returned to make a 10-minute cameo in the Eleven’s final match of 2015.

“It was an amazing day for me,” he said. “The doctor said I might have to wait one year. I was back in six-and-a-half months. I played just 10 minutes, but for me it was the best 10 minutes of my life.”

Kléberson looked sharp in the Strikers’ first preseason match against FC Schalke 04 in the Florida Cup and noted that “there’s more technical players and a lot of quality” in Fort Lauderdale. He added, “I hope the team does well this season.”

It’s another chance to step out onto the field, and a feeling that can’t be taken for granted.

“I want to take this opportunity,” he said. “When the season starts, I’ll be 100 percent.”