Overview
António Reginaldo Matias de Araújo (2 October 1977 – 11 January 2016), commonly known as Reginaldo Araújo, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a defender. He spent his career in Brazil's domestic leagues and is remembered for his consistency, work rate and adaptability across defensive positions. Summary profiles and career outlines can be found on dedicated pages such as player profile.
Early life and development
Reginaldo was born in Presidente Prudente, in the state of São Paulo, and began his football development in local youth systems. His upbringing in a football-rich region of Brazil followed the typical path of many players who progressed from regional competitions to the national stage; local background information is available at Presidente Prudente.
Club career
Across his professional career Reginaldo represented a number of Brazilian clubs at different levels of competition. He is known to have played for prominent teams including:
At these clubs he featured in national league matches and domestic cup competitions. While not widely recorded as a high-profile international star, he provided experienced squad depth and defensive reliability at club level.
Position and playing style
Reginaldo was broadly listed as a defender and was often deployed as a full-back who could cover the flanks or provide defensive support in a back four. Contemporary accounts and match reports describe him as a practical, defensively minded player who emphasised marking, positioning and team organisation rather than individual flair. For a general explanation of the role he occupied, see a position overview.
Later life and death
Following retirement from professional football he remained connected to footballing circles. Reginaldo Araújo died unexpectedly from a heart attack on 11 January 2016 in Cornélio Procópio, in the state of Paraná; regional reports noted the sudden nature of his passing and the reaction from former clubs and teammates, see local coverage at Cornélio Procópio report.
Legacy
Within the context of Brazilian domestic football Reginaldo Araújo is remembered as a dependable professional whose career illustrates the path of many players who contribute season after season to club competition and community sporting life. He is commemorated in club histories and by supporters who recall his service across several notable teams. Further career summaries and archival details can be consulted on specialist pages such as career page.