Article by Eduard Apostol – Published Friday, April 17, 2026, 2:07 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 17, 2026, 2:10 p.m.
The former player of the “galacticos” and the national team of Brazil, Julio Baptista44 years old, considered “one of the biggest spikes in Romanian football”, was presented as the new head coach of Sao Paulo U20
Julio Baptista, 44 years old, is back in football! The former “galactic”, who retired in 2019 after an unfortunate experience at CFR Cluj, has just been presented by São Paulo.
The club where, among others, Leônidas da Silva, Raí, Kaká, Cafu, Careca, Denílson and Luis Fabiano have played over the years, hired Julio Baptista as head coach at São Paulo U20. The Brazilian has already started work at the group where he started football.
2years of contract Julio Baptista signed with São Paulo
Julio Baptista returned home to São Paulo: “I'm very happy”
Based on his old friendship with the legendary Ronado, Baptista was active for a time in a youth group at Real Valladolid. As the “transfer” to Real Madrid's juniors was not perfected, the former striker returned to his native country. He returned to his soul team.
“I am very happy to return home. The timing is ideal, especially because of the chance to help the young players. After all, the future of the club is here. It is an incredible opportunity.
I am very motivated to do a good job and contribute to the development of the players”, said Julio Baptista immediately after being announced as the U20 coach of the Tricolor club.
The most famous foreigner who came to League 1 – one of the biggest spikes in Romanian football!
Julio Baptista trained as a player in São Paulo. Then, in 2003, he arrived in Europe, signing with Sevilla. Real Madrid paid 20 million euros to transfer him two years later!
He played at Arsenal, AS Roma, Malaga, Cruzeiro and Orlando before being brought to Gruia, at CFR Cluj. He is still considered “one of the sharpest in the history of the club from Gruia and Romanian football”. Only 42 minutes collected in 3 appearances.
The Brazilian had a salary of 40,000 euros/month! Net salary. After it was proposed to them in the summer of 2018, Cluj rushed to transfer Julio Baptisa in order to put him on the UEFA list for the double with Dudelange at the time, and the player did not make the medical visit.
Later, the doctors discovered that he came to CFR suffering from asthmatic bronchitis and having serious knee problems. In the last months, Baptista was no longer in the Cluj team, nor did he train normally, with his colleagues, only recovering.
77of matches and 13 goals Julio Baptista collected for Real Madrid, with whom he won a champion title
47of matches and 5 goals has the former striker for the Brazilian national team, with whom he won two Copa Americas in his career
