Rodrigo José Lima dos Santos, known as Lima, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a striker. He spent the better part of his professional career in Portugal, amassing Primeira Liga totals of 176 matches and 86 goals over six seasons, representing mainly Braga and Benfica and winning six major titles with the latter club, notably the treble in 2014.
Club career
Early years
Born in Monte Alegre, Pará, Lima played for nine clubs in his country, without settling at any. In the 2008 edition of the Série A he did not manage to score for Santos FC, who ranked in 15th position. In the middle of 2009, after failing to sign with Ukrainian side FC Metalist Kharkiv, Lima moved to Portugal with C.F. Os Belenenses, scoring regularly for the Lisbon team but also suffering relegation from the Primeira Liga.
On 31 August 2012, the very last day of the summer transfer window, Lima signed a four-year contract with Benfica, in a deal that saw Michel move in the opposite direction. He wasted no time on making an impact, also taking long time incumbent striker Cardozo's starting place, and found the net in his first two official games: one goal against Académica de Coimbra in a 2–2 away draw, and two in a 2–1 win over Paços de Ferreira ; he added a third in the Champions League 1–2 group stage loss at FC Spartak Moscow, ending the season with 30 goals as his team's top scorer in the league. On 26 January 2013, Lima scored his eighth league goal of the campaign, helping to a 2–1 win at former club Braga. On 30 March he netted his first hat-trick in the Portuguese League, helping to a 6–1 home demolition of Rio Ave FC. Lima took his 2013–14 tally to 20 all competitions comprised on 20 April 2014, scoring both of Benfica's goals as they defeated S.C. Olhanense 2–0 at home and clinched their 33rd national championship. He also found the net in the following game, a 2–1 win over Juventus F.C. in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals also at the Estádio da Luz, where he broke the tie in the 84th minute. His 21 goals in the season helped the team win the three main domestic competitions, in a historic treble. Lima scored his first goal of the 2014–15 campaign against Moreirense F.C. on 21 September 2014, ending a 12-match stretch without goals. On 14 December he netted in a 2–0 win at Porto, and, on 15 February of the following year, he contributed with a brace to help defeat Setúbal at home 3–0; he netted another two in a home defeat of F.C. Penafiel on 9 May, as Benfica again won the league, adding the Portuguese League Cup and the Supercup.
Al Ahli Club
On 24 July2015, Al-Ahli Dubai F.C. announced the signing of Lima for two seasons, in a transfer fee worth €7 million. In February 2017, the 33-year-old left the club. On 21 January 2019, Lima announced his retirement due to injury problems.
