Wagner Lopes

is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Wagner Lopes

Lopes at Nissan Motors
Personal information
Full name	Wagner Lopes
Date of birth	(1969-01-29) January 29, 1969
Place of birth	Franca, Brazil
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1987	São Paulo
1987–1990	Nissan Motors	49	(12)
1990–1994	Kashiwa Reysol	96	(85)
1995–1996	Honda	60	(67)
1997–1998	Bellmare Hiratsuka	56	(36)
1999–2000	Nagoya Grampus Eight	51	(23)
2001	FC Tokyo	10	(3)
2001–2002	Avispa Fukuoka	27	(13)
Total		349	(228)
National team
1997–1999	Japan	20	(5)
Teams managed
2017	Albirex Niigata
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Lopes was born in Franca, Brazil on January 29, 1969. He moved to Japan and signed with Japan Soccer League club Nissan Motors in 1987. From 1988 to 1990, the club won all three major title in Japan; Japan Soccer League, JSL Cup and Emperor's Cup for 2 years in a row. He moved to Hitachi (later Kashiwa Reysol) in 1990. In 1992, Japan Soccer League was folded and the club joined new league Japan Football League (JFL). The club won 2nd place in 1994 and was promoted to J1 League. He also many scored with Careca. However he left the club due to restrictions on foreign players because the club gains Müller. Lopes joined JFL club Honda in 1995. He became a top scorer for 2 years in a row (1995-1996). He moved to J1 League club Bellmare Hiratsuka in 1997. He played with Hidetoshi Nakata and scored many goals as striker. However, he left the club end of 1998 season due to financial strain and moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight. The club won the champions at 1999 Emperor's Cup. Toward end of his career, he played for FC Tokyo (2001) and Avispa Fukuoka (2001-02). He retired end of 2002 season.

In September 1997, Lopes obtained Japanese citizenship. Immediately after this, he was selected the Japan national team for 1998 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on September 28, he debuted against South Korea. After the debut, he played 6 games and scored 3 goals at World Cup qualification and Japan won the qualify for 1998 World Cup first time Japan's history. At 1998 World Cup, he played all 3 matches. In third match against Jamaica, he assisted Masashi Nakayama goal. This goal is the first goal for Japan in the history of the World Cup. He also played at 1999 Copa América and scored 2 goals. He played 20 games and scored 5 goals for Japan until 1999.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Total
1987/88	Nissan Motors	JSL Division 1	21	8			0	0	21	8
1988/89			15	3			1	1	16	4
1989/90			13	1			4	0	17	1
1990/91	Hitachi	JSL Division 2	23	33			1	0	24	33
1991/92		JSL Division 1	20	4			3	4	23	8
1992		Football League	17	13			-		17	13
1993	Kashiwa Reysol	Football League	18	18	0	0	0	0	18	18
1994			18	17	0	0	1	0	19	17
1995	Honda	Football League	30	31	1	0	-		31	31
1996			30	36	2	1	-		32	37
1997	Bellmare Hiratsuka	J1 League	27	18	3	4	6	8	36	30
1998			29	18	2	0	0	0	31	18
1999	Nagoya Grampus Eight	J1 League	23	13	5	2	6	4	34	19
2000			28	10	1	1	4	0	33	11
2001	FC Tokyo	J1 League	10	3	0	0	2	4	12	7
2001	Avispa Fukuoka	J1 League	8	7	0	0	0	0	8	7
2002		J2 League	19	6	2	0	-		21	6
Country	Japan		349	239	16	8	24	17	389	264
Total			349	239	16	8	24	17	389	264

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1997	6	3
1998	7	0
1999	7	2
Total	20	5