José Carlos Nepomuceno Mozer (born 19 September 1960) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a central defender, and is a manager.
In his career, he was mainly associated with Benfica in Portugal, which he represented in two separate spells. He also spent three years with French club Marseille.
Mozer was sold to Olympique de Marseille in 1989 for a transfer fee of 25 million francs, with his agent Manuel Barbosa reportedly securing a commission of up to 15%.[4] He faced his former side in the campaign's European Cup semifinals, a 2–2 controversial aggregate exit – again, he rarely missed a game, and helped L'OM to three consecutive Ligue 1 conquests.[5]
Subsequently, the 32-year-old Mozer returned to Benfica, where he still managed to amass more than 75 overall appearances until his departure in 1995, after which he saw out his career in Japan at Kashima Antlers. He was the first player to score in penalty shootouts in two European Cup finals, in 1988 and 1991.
International career
Mozer played 32 times for Brazil, over roughly ten years. He made his senior international debut on 28 July 1983, in a 0–0 friendly draw against Chile. He was a member of the team that finished second in the Copa América later that year, appearing in the 3–1 aggregate defeat to Uruguay in the final.[6] After missing the 1986 FIFA World Cup through injury, he was picked for the 1990 edition in Italy; he was booked in the first two group stage matches (both wins), and did not appear in the round of 16 against Argentina, a 1–0 elimination.
Originally selected for the 1994 World Cup as well, Mozer was diagnosed with jaundice, left out of the squad and replaced with Aldair.[7] His final appearance came as a substitute in a friendly match earlier that same year, a 2–0 win against rivals Argentina on 24 March.