Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo, known simply as Leonardo (born September 5, 1969 in Niterói, Brazil) is a football midfielder, a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup, during which he was suspended for a large part of the tournament.
Leonardo started his career with Brazilian club Flamengo in 1987 and moved to São Paulo in 1990. In 1991, he made a switch to Europe and the Spanish club Valencia. After two seasons there, a brief stint at São Paulo, and the 1994 World Cup, Leonardo moved to the newly-formed J. League, signing with Kashima Antlers. In 1996, he had enough of Japan and went back to Europe, this time to French club Paris Saint-Germain. A year later, Leonardo played all seven games his second World Cup as Brazil finished second and then made a switch to Italian giants AC Milan, becoming a prominent part of the club's star-studded lineup. He played four full seasons in Milan, but was hampered down by injuries at the end of his career. In 2001, he went back to São Paulo and then Flamengo, before coming back to Milan and playing his final game in 2002.
Leonardo made his international debut in 1989, and ended his career with 56 caps and eight goals for Brazil. But what he will likely be remembered most for was the vicious elbow to the head of American midfielder Tab Ramos during the second round of the 1994 World Cup. Leonardo was suspended for the rest of the tournament as Brazil won the championship.
