17 January 2010 - Daniel didn't play tonight despite being fit again. Competition also saw Ben Sigmund on the bench having finished his suspension. Daniel was luckier in some respects. He was in the corporate box helping look after guests in far drier conditions than his faithful fan club members whom got soaked. But the Daniel Banner was still proudly displayed in the torrential rain.

09 January 2010 - Daniel spent tonight's fine 3-1 in the corporate box whilst Eugene Dadi made a spectacular debut. Nearly over his injury and raring to go. Happy New Year Daniel and family. I/we wish you all the very best for 2010.

31 December 2009 - Daniel didn't get to finish the year off as hoped. a minor injury kept him out of the win at Central Coast. It's been an interesting year for the midfielder. A dad for the second time, re-establishing himself as an import part of the Phoenix set up. Competition for places is now at a premium, Daniel faces competition from Adrian Caceres, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill for that wide out position. Still nothing wrong with a bit of Competition to bring out the best in our man.

18 December 2009 - Daniel had an interesting game tonight. The crosses were not quite on target yet the moves were. he ended up getting subsituted for Caceres who immediately scored the equaliser! Just one of those days but he tried hard and thats all one expects. The Adelaide defence had all our attacking options closely monitored and shut down anything developing. Credit to them, but Daniel and the team live to fight another day.

12 December 2009 - Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Daniel, Happy Birthday to you! Not the best game but then the whole team did not perform up to standard. Difficult conditions with a massively strong wind the whole game and some poor refereeing and linesmen.

05 December 2009 - Daniel celebrated his 50th appearance in a Phoenix jersey. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement. A decent game against table toppers victory and a few chances too. Pin point crossing from the corners and subbed off in the 84th minute. Still number 50 under the belt Daniel, Wife back (with your new daughter) from Brazil, can life be any nicer?? Bring on Sydney at the Palmerston North Show grounds.

22 November 2009 - Daniel played for most of the game against the jets. he managed to vreat a few chances that went begging in the high temperatures. A bit unlucky that Ifill leaped for a cross and got the smallest of touches. if he had stayed out of the way, the chance for daniel was there. However, Ifill was just doing his job. Daniel looked very sharp in training. His "Movember" effort this year is looking very impressive.

08 November 2009 - Daniel played most of the game today and yet again, his crossing was excellent and right on the button. The highlight was a a party trick in the first half that worked, drew in the defence and nearly result in a goal being scored. Another highlight was with the goal at his back, Daniel one touched a high ball, swivled and then hit a volley that would have beaten most goalkeeper. The negative was that throughout the game, Daniel was on the receiving end of some rough attention which the blind referee refused to see, even when it happened less than 6 feet from the incident. And the refereee is probably wondering why for half of the game the fans were chanting "The referee's a Wanker". I suggest he watched a replay so he can see how it got it oh so wrong for almost the entire game.

04 November 2009 - Daniel took to the field against the Jets and showed he meant business. His crossing was pin-point perfect tonight. He created a lot of chances that were unable to be converted into goals and he nearly bagged a couple himself. The good news is that the Nix won 3-0 and next Sunday entertain the Perth Glory. Daniel will look forward to carrying on where he left off tonight and us fans will very much look forward to watching him too!

01 November 2009 - Daniel kicked off November in spectacular fashion. 1:30 into the game against Sydney City and he'd dislocated his harm in a challenge. He limped off and speedy treatment had the arm back in the socket and he took to the field again. it must've hurt like hell, later in the game he got a cut to his head in yet another challenge and later had 5 stitches inserted. he donned the field wearing a whoite bandage. He was then to take a penalty which was prefectly good except the referee ordered it to be retaken as 2 players had their feet on the white line. The 2nd attempt was saved. This pretty much summed up the day.

25 October 2009 - Daniel has been on Fire this season, fitness has played a big part. He picked up a knock last week when he hyper-extended his knee. However, he recovered enough and with the aid of some strapping to take the field against table toppers Gold Coast United. Well what a game. it was Daniel who started the scoring, his first for the season and it was Daniel who scored the third. Yes, a double for our hero. How satisfying that must have been. the whole team clicked together, worked for each other and thrashed GCU. who can forget his reaction after that first goal? Grabbing his Phoenix shirt with pride and motivating his fellow Phoenix mates to lift their game. Who would have believed what happened next? Daniels fans and Daniel himself certainly had good cause to celebrate.

The latest chapter in Daniel Cortes life as a professional footballer came about when the Wellington Phoenix had a very short time to become a reality from a dream. Terry's last minute assistance with the application before the FFA. Ricki Herbert appointed Head Coach, Tony Pignata appointed CEO, the the player recruitment started.

4 Players of Brazilian nationality arrived in a Wellington that was a lot cooler than the sunny beaches of the current World Cup holders.... Who can forget Cleiberson's "Phoenix wave" (Later adapted by Shane Smeltz) , Felipe, and of course George. Sadly, these three players have long since left the club and yet Daniel has stayed and gone on from strength to strength. Now nationalised, he hopes to play for ther All Whites one day.

Taken to heart from that very first game when the Phoenix fought back from 2-0 down and drawing 2-2 (Nearly winning it except for the post in a frantic last 10 minutes), Daniel Cortes had arrived. Left footed and with dribbling skills galore. The chanting of Dannnniiieeeelllll came to be.

Training at Newtown 2008	Open Day 2009	Preseason 2009/2010	Preseason 2009/2010

August 6th 2009 - The day started off well, Discovery Park was in perfect condition, not a cloud in the sky, not a breeze in the air. Although Chris Greenacre was the first player to arrive it wasn't too long before Manny Muscat arrived with Daniel in tow. All the players very considerately signed my Phoenix flag which has now been placed back in it's position of the last two years but proudly wearing those autographs. It's some special about the club and it's reationship with the fans. You can show up to any practices and with courtesy, meet with and chat to the players, take photos, get autographs before they settle into the strict training session that usually start at exactly 10:30am. For the next two hours you are allowed to watch - from a distance, so that they players can concentrate and the coach have their undivided attention. I have been for sometime wanting to do a page on Daniel as a mark of respect to his ability as a player, his warmness towards the fans and his humane, compassionate personality. As Daniel was kindly signing my flag I made mention of it to him and he asked me if I would like an interview for the page. Well who's gonna refuse that?? A chance to chat to one of the founding playing staff of the Wellington Phoenix. I sure as said yes and when might this happen? He suggested later in the day. I could not refuse.

My sister, my nephew and I had spent most of last season sitting behind the player benches over near Aisle 13 where the view is good, you can hear the full roar of the Yellow Fever coming at you. Unfortunately, Daniel was spending too much time on the bench and enough was enough. The Daniel fan club was formed. An awesome banner was hand made and the chant of Daniel was done in the same way as a Mexican Wave is performed. As the season progressed a few other fans joined the group and it was getting noticed by those on the benches as volume increased. Always time for a wave whilst warming up before, during and after the games. Daniel is our hero. He gives 100%, he does not give up. In the first season alongside Felipe, we were treated to some exciting football, a few party tricks and some goals from our hero. Last season it was not good to see one of our stars spending so much time on the bench. This, our third season, let's hope we see more of Daniel on the field.

At Botafago	At Guarani	At Videoton	At Juventude

Daniel is married to Danielle. They have a son (Daniel) and a daughter (Luiza) whom is on the way. A family man. Professionally, he's played in Brazil, Hungary, Holland (The Netherlands for those from there) and here in New Zealand for our beloved Wellington Phoenix in the Federation Football Australia - A League. Daniel's first club as a professional was Madureira in Brazil. He's played for the club he supported as a young fella - Botafogo and lived the boyhood dream of playing for "your" team for three seasons. Highlighted by winning their championship with them. Other teams he has played for include Juventude and Guarani.

Daniel has gained New Zealand residency and was hoping to play for the All Whites. Fifa in their infamous wisdom have introduced the 5 year rule. 2 years down and nearly 3 to go. (Unless, of course, Fifa see some common sense in changing the rule to a 2 year stand down.) I asked him the obvious questions.

Growing up, Daniel always wanted to be a footballer, nothing else. School work suffered as he learned the skills to make his dream come true. Whilst his family played a very important part in his growing years, as they were all into playing their national pastime, it was when Daniel played for his favourite team Botafogo under coach Levir Culpi that he learned a lot and gained a lot. Daniel also watched Rivaldo during the peak of his career but it is Levir Culpi that he holds the most respect, time and memories for.

Learning the trade in Brazil has it's moments. Competition for a starting spot is very competitive, physically and mentally. No love lost amongst potential starting line ups. Squads often had around 30 players all in competition with each other and some of the practices used to get an advantage over your fellow professionals left a lot to be desired. So what is his favourite position? An attacking left midfeilder, that's what. The idea that he was a Left Wing Back came from his time at Botafogo. He is not a LWB. At the club, they played a 3 man defence and a five man midfeild, as Daniel played out wide on the left it was assumed that he tracked back, but it was other players whom did that, not him.

So what does Daniel like to do in his spare time? Well other than being a Husband and a father, he likes to surf - he has a board art his residence, he enjoys playing Tennis (Not the Nintendo Wii sort). He would like one day to take a trip to Fiji or other Pacific Islands to see the clear warm water and white sandy beaches. During the break between A League seasons Daniel and family go back to Brazil for 1 - 2 months to visit family and friends and catch up.

I asked him about pre-match routines and his meal before a game is always Pasta and Chicken. He always steps onto the football pitch right foot first (Despite being a left footed player. I also noticed, he is right handed). He has been blessed with not too many injuries throughtout his career. There was one back in 2006 when he was laid up for 3 months. He took a knock to his inside right knee and although not requiring surgery, he found the three months off not something he likes. He considered that his worst experience in football to date.

His best moments in football were playing for Botafogo when they won their championship and also, scoring his first goal for the Wellington Phoenix. Judging by the fans reaction that day, he became an instant legend, as one in Aisle 23 could tell by all the clapping, cheering and general hoopla went. Awesome stuff. Daniel finds the A League very "English" in style of play. Route one, Direct are other names for it. Unlike the "continental style" or the Latin American Style of play that we have seen on ESPN in the past. It is of note, too, that Daniel has played against men whom have gone on to great careers. Kaka, Romario, Ronaldinho to mention 3 examples. He's played against David Beckham when the LA Galaxy came to town and took on the Wellington Phoenix at the ROF (Ring of Fire as affectionately known to Phoenix fans) before a full house.

Thankyou to the Fans	David Beckham lending a hand	Goal!

I mentioned to Daniel about the fans, Their reaction to him, his towards them. Daniel remembers when he was young and also asking for autographs. He knows what it is like to meet the players you look up to and the pleasure it gives. Daniel has time for the fans and is is not concerned at giving them all time for an autograph and a chat or a photo opportunity. It was obvious at the open days, that I saw, when he was showing such warmth to all fans of all ages anf types. Daniel is the real thing. Modest to speak with, sincere, honest, genuine. Although I/we are his fans, I respect him more than ever having been allowed into his circle. We chatted about a lot of things. He looks you in the eye when answering. Western cultures believe this to be a sign of someone being truthful. This page is for you Daniel, over your career there will be changes, photos, interviews, anything you wish. Thank you for the pleasure of gracing our football feild and showing us your talents.