*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:59, 18 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 June 2018
Carlos Gilberto Nascimento Silva (born 12 June 1987), commonly known as Gil (Portuguese pronunciation:[ʒiw]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Santos.
After making his first team debut for Americano during the 2007 Campeonato Carioca, Gil spent a trial period at Vasco da Gama[2][3] before being loaned out to Série C side Jaguaré in April of that year; at the club, he was known as Gilberto Balói.[4] Despite not featuring in any league matches during their first stage elimination, he won the Copa Espírito Santo with the side as a starter.
Back to Americano for the 2008 season, Gil established himself as a first-choice at the club as they reached the Copa Rio finals. In June 2008, he was loaned to fellow third division side Atlético Goianiense for the remainder of the year.
A regular starter at Dragão, Gil was bought outright by the club ahead of the 2009 campaign, and was a target of Flamengo, Fluminense and Cruzeiro.[5]
Cruzeiro
On 1 August 2009, Gil was announced at Cruzeiro.[6] He made his club – and Série A – debut four days later, starting in a 2–0 home loss to Atlético Paranaense.[7]
Gil started the 2010 season as a backup to Leonardo Silva and Caçapa, but soon overtook the latter. He scored his first goal for the club on 20 February of that year, netting the opener in a 3–1 away win over rivals Atlético Mineiro.[8]
Valenciennes
In August 2011, Gil moved abroad for the first time in his career, after agreeing to a three-year deal with French Ligue 1 side Valenciennes,[9] for a rumoured fee of € 3 million. He made his debut abroad late in the month, starting in a 3–2 away loss to Dijon, for the season's Coupe de la Ligue.
Corinthians
On 1 January 2013, Valenciennes reportedly accepted an €3.5 million offer from Corinthians,[10] and was presented at his new club fifteen days later.[11] He made his debut for the club on 23 January, starting in a 1–0 Campeonato Paulista home loss to Ponte Preta.[12]
An immediate first-choice, Gil only scored his first goal for Timão on 26 February 2014, netting his side's third in a 3–0 home win over Comercial-SP.[13] On 31 July 2014, he signed a new three-year contract with the club.[14]
On 22 September 2015, still a key unit, Gil renewed his link with Corinthians until 2019.[15]
Shandong Luneng
On 21 January 2016, Gil moved to Chinese club Shandong Luneng on a four-year contract, earning a rumoured monthly wage of US$ 400,000.[16] A regular starter, he left the club on a mutual agreement on 30 June 2019, to return to his former club.[17]
On 3 July 2019, Gil was announced back at Corinthians on a contract until the end of the year.[18] The following 9 January, his link was extended until the end of 2022.[19]
On 26 January 2022, still a first-choice, 34-year-old Gil renewed his contract with Corinthians for a further year.[20] On 14 December 2023, he left the club after his contract was due to expire; he amassed 444 matches for Timão, scoring 19 goals.[21]
On 27 December 2023, Gil was announced at Santos on a one-year contract.[22] He made his debut for the club the following 20 January, starting in a 1–0 away win over Botafogo-SP.[23]
Gil scored his first goal for Peixe on 15 May 2024, netting the opener in a 2–1 away win over Ponte Preta.
In May 2016, Gil was included in Dunga's 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario.[28] He featured in all three matches of Brazil's group stage exit.
In June 2017, after nearly a year away from international duties, Gil was recalled to the national team by Tite, who included the defender on his list for the first time. He made his return to the national team after nearly a full year in the 2017 Superclásico de las Américas, which ended in a 1–0 defeat to Argentina.
^"De volta pra casa: Gil é do Timão!" [Back home: Gil is of Timão!] (in Brazilian Portuguese). SC Corinthians Paulista. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
^"Zagueiro Gil se despede do Corinthians" [Stopper Gil bids farewell from Corinthians] (in Brazilian Portuguese). SC Corinthians Paulista. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
^ ab"Gil" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Futebol de Goyaz. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
^ abc"Temporadas anteriores" [Past seasons] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Cruzeiro EC. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
