Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes, better known as Kadu, is a Brazilian who left a special mark playing for Zeta and later Red Star.
After retiring in 2019, there wasn’t much talk about the diminutive Brazilian who made a name for himself in this region, first in Montenegrin and later in Serbian football.
The Brazilian playmaker continues to win trophies in veteran mini-football tournaments, and in addition to recreational sports, 39-year-old Kadu has also opened his own restaurant in Andradina.
“I have a restaurant called Bendito Sabor, a name my wife chose, and I also work with a football school,” the popular Kadu began his interview for Meridian Sport.
Zeta is the first champion of Montenegro, and after winning the title in 2007, a quartet of reinforcements arrived at “Trešnjica” from Brazil.
Kadu and Savio are well-known names who commanded the midfield of the team from Golubovci, while Danilo Gojano and Marcelo Albuquerque failed to establish themselves as reinforcements.
Kadu moved from Porto Alegre to Zeta, and in two seasons in Golubovci he played 51 games and scored 15 goals.
“It was very difficult for me to leave a warm country and come to a cold one, but thank God everything turned out well and I was able to do many beautiful things,” said Kadu.
The long-time president of FK Zeta, Radojica Božović, was responsible for the Brazilian tandem (Kadu – Savio) moving to Red Star in 2009 after their episode at “Trešnjica”.
“We had a great relationship. Rayo is a positive and very good person for me. He always wanted to win and demanded the maximum from us, and that can only motivate you to always be at your best level,” said Kadu, who, in addition to the Brazilian, wanted to apply first for a Montenegrin and later a Serbian passport:
“Regarding the passport, there were some discussions. First while I was in Montenegro, later in Serbia, but unfortunately it didn’t come to fruition. I wish I had had the opportunity.”
At Red Star, he collaborated with the previous coach of Montenegro, Robert Prosinečki, and in four seasons he played 104 games and scored 27 goals.
Until recently, he held the record as the foreigner with the highest number of games and goals in the Red Star jersey in the club’s history.
Fans of the “red and whites” remember his goal against Partizan in Humska, when in the last minute of stoppage time of the 142nd “eternal derby” he ended Red Star’s losing streak at their biggest rival’s stadium.
This goal brought Red Star its first victory in Humska after a five-year “fast”.
In four years in Belgrade, he won two Serbian Cup trophies.
“It’s one of the most beautiful moments in life, those four years spent in Belgrade are special. Zvezda is life – it will forever remain in my heart,” Kadu told Meridian Sport.
The period spent in Montenegro was a great learning experience for him, and the people he met during his career in Zeta and Red Star left a positive impression on him.
“I want to thank everyone who treated me very well during the years I spent in both countries. I was in Serbia a little more, but the period in Montenegro was a big school for me and that’s where I started learning the language.”
After an episode in Red Star, in 2013 he moved to Sheriff Tiraspol, where in three seasons he managed to win the Moldovan championship title, the national Cup, two Super Cups, and also qualify for the group stage of the Europa League.
“At Sheriff, I managed to make one dream come true, and that was to play in a European competition. The group stage of the Europa League from the 2013/14 season was memorable.”
In the Champions League qualifiers of the same season (2013/14), in the second round, the Moldavian team eliminated Sutjeska, and one of the five goals in Nikšić was scored by the Brazilian playmaker.
He moved to Šerif for the first time “on his own” – without Savi, who had accompanied him throughout his career in Zeta and Crvena Zvezda.
“I was already adapted to European football, so the adjustment wasn’t difficult. Savio is and always will be my brother. We are still in touch to this day and see each other whenever we can,” Kadu continues.
A conversation with the Brazilian couldn’t go on without mentioning Flamengo’s great season, which saw them win the Brazilian Serie A and the Copa Libertadores, while losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the Intercontinental Cup final after a penalty shootout.
“I don’t follow football much after my career ended, but Flamengo has the biggest investments, so they have to be at the top of all competitions, just like Palmeiras. They definitely have a very successful year behind them.”
Kada also had a message for all fans in the Balkans:
“I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish good health and a beautiful life to the people that I will remember and carry with me throughout my life,” concluded Kadu.
After a three-year stint at Sheriff, Kadu played for Al Ahli from Lebanon, while he ended his career in 2019 with the Maltese team Balzan.
News