Renato Gaúcho, or simply Renato Portaluppi, is one of the most charismatic and successful figures in Brazilian football. Born on September 9, 1962, in Guaporé, Rio Grande do Sul, he carries in his blood a passion for the sport that took him from the fields as a skillful player to one of the country’s most respected coaches. With a nickname that reflects his southern roots and relentless grit, Renato is more than just a name in the world of soccer—he’s synonymous with emotion, titles, and a personality that divides opinions but wins over fans. Over more than four decades in football, Renato has amassed stories ranging from decisive goals in world championships to improbable comebacks from the sidelines. This article dives into the trajectory of this icon, highlighting his achievements, challenges, and what the future holds for him in November 2025.
Early Steps: From Guaporé to the Big Stages
Childhood and Discovery of Football
Renato’s story begins on the dusty streets of Guaporé, a small town in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. The son of Italian immigrants, he grew up in a humble family where football was more than a game—it was an escape and a dream. From a young age, Renato showed natural talent with the ball. With quick legs and sharp dribbling, he stood out on makeshift pitches, dreaming of one day wearing the shirt of a big club. At 15, he moved to Porto Alegre, where he joined the youth ranks of Grêmio, the club that would change his life forever.
At Grêmio, Renato didn’t take long to shine. In 1980, at 18, he debuted for the first team. His right-winger position was perfect for his style: fast, skillful, and with an impressive goal-scoring instinct. But it was in 1983 that the football world truly met him. In the Copa Libertadores final against Uruguay’s Peñarol, Renato scored two goals in the first leg, securing a 2-1 victory. In the return leg, despite a 1-0 loss, Grêmio lifted the trophy. That conquest wasn’t just a title—it was Renato’s passport to eternity.
Rise as a Player: Titles and Transfers
The following years were glorious. In December 1983, Renato reached his peak by winning the Intercontinental Cup against Germany’s Hamburg. At Tokyo’s National Stadium, he scored the second goal in a 2-1 victory, sealing what would be the first world title for a Brazilian club in history. The image of Renato lifting the cup, hair flowing in the wind and a wide smile, became iconic.
But Renato wasn’t just a Grêmio man. In 1986, he transferred to Flamengo, where he formed a lethal duo with Zico and Bebeto. At the Rubro-Negro, he won the 1986 Campeonato Carioca and lived moments of pure magic at the Maracanã. Later, he played for Botafogo, winning another Carioca in 1990, and Corinthians in 1991. His playing career totaled nearly 200 goals in over 700 matches, with stints for the Brazilian national team, where he played in the 1983 and 1989 Copa América.
Renato hung up his boots in 1996, at 34, after a knee injury sidelined him. But football wouldn’t let him go. He returned to Grêmio as an assistant coach, learning the intricacies of team management. It was the start of a new phase, where his player experience would become lessons for the young.
Transition to the Bench: From Player to Strategist
Early Challenges as a Coach
Renato’s coaching debut came in 1997 at Madureira in Rio de Janeiro. It was a period of learning, with ups and downs but full of boldness. He led the team to the 1998 Campeonato Carioca final, surprising the favorites. From there, Renato began to show his trademark: attacking teams with grit and a touch of improvisation. In 2000, he took over Fluminense for the first time, saving the club from relegation in the Brasileirão. That campaign, marked by improbable wins, showed Renato had a gift for motivating players under pressure.
At Grêmio, his spiritual home, Renato returned in 2003. It was a rollercoaster: relegation in 2004, but immediate promotion in 2005. He left, returned, and in 2010 led the Tricolor to the Copa do Brasil title, beating Neymar’s Santos in the final. These comings and goings at the Olímpico shaped his reputation as a resilient coach, capable of rising from the ashes.
National Consolidation
The 2010s were Renato’s peak as a coach. In 2016, he took over Grêmio amid a crisis and turned the team into a machine. The 2017 Libertadores campaign is legendary: wins over Botafogo, Barcelona de Guayaquil, and Lanús in the final, 3-1 at Buenos Aires’ Monumental. Renato became the only man in history to win the Libertadores as both player and coach—a feat that echoes to this day.
At Atlético Mineiro in 2018, he won the Campeonato Mineiro. But it was at Flamengo in 2021 that Renato showed versatility. Taking over in July, he led the team to the Copa Libertadores title against Palmeiras in an epic final in Montevideo. That 2-1 victory, with Gabigol deciding in penalties, crowned a Rubro-Negro era. However, Carioca pressure led to his exit after the Brasileirão, but not without leaving his mark: Renato’s Fla was synonymous with flashy football and results.
Memorable Stints at Clubs: Unforgettable Legacies
Grêmio: Eternal Love
Grêmio is the thickest chapter in Renato’s biography. He coached the Imortal seven times between 2003 and 2021. Besides the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil, he won three Gauchões (2018, 2019, 2020), the 2019 Brasileirão, and the 2018 Recopa Sul-Americana. His longevity—over 600 games—made him Brazil’s longest-serving coach in 2019. Renato wasn’t just a coach: he was an idol, a father, a motivator. Phrases like “This is Grêmio!” became anthems at the Arena.
Flamengo and Fluminense: Rio de Janeiro on Fire
At Flamengo, Renato arrived as a savior and left as a hero of the Americas. He built a team with Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, and Gabigol that enchanted Brazil. At Fluminense, his first stint in 2007 yielded the Copa do Brasil, the second national title for the Tricolor. In 2025, he returned to the Laranjeiras club in April after Fernando Diniz’s exit. In just three months, he turned an unstable team into a Club World Cup contender. Beating Inter Milan in the round of 16, Flu reached the semifinals, proving Renato still had magic. But the semifinal elimination to Real Madrid in June left a bitter taste.
Other Clubs: Bahia, Santos, and Beyond
At Bahia in 2019, Renato won the Northeast and Baiano titles. At Santos in 2022, he saved Peixe from relegation. Stints at Vasco and Internacional also marked his career, always with touches of controversy—like arguments with referees or bold statements. Renato was never one to stay quiet; his sometimes harsh honesty made him loved and hated in equal measure.
Achievements and Highlights: Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Titles as Player and Coach
As a player, Renato boasts: Libertadores (1983), Intercontinental (1983), two Gauchões (1985, 1988), Carioca (1986), and more. For the national team, 17 caps and one goal. As a coach, his resume impresses: three Libertadores (two with Grêmio in 2017, one with Flamengo in 2021), three Copas do Brasil (two with Grêmio, one with Fluminense), Brasileirão (2019 with Grêmio), three Gauchões, Recopa, and more state titles. Over 500 wins in nearly 1,000 games, with over 50% success rate.
Unique Feats and Records
Being the only one to win the Libertadores on both sides of the line is the pinnacle. In 2017, Renato led Grêmio to the title unbeaten at home in tournament history. At the 2017 Club World Cup, he lost to Real Madrid, but the 1-0 final was a mark of resistance. His comeback ability—like the 3-1 against Lanús—inspires generations.
Training Style and Personality: The Showman of Football
Philosophy of Play: Attack and Passion
Renato always prioritized attacking football. “I want to see the ball in the net,” he says. His teams play with intensity, valuing possession and quick transitions. He trusts youth, as he gave chances to Luan and Everton at Grêmio. But it’s not just tactics: Renato is a locker-room master. His scoldings motivate, and his post-game parties are legendary—like burning Lanús’ flag in 2017.
Charisma and Controversies
With gray hair and a marked Gaúcho accent, Renato is a showman. He sings, dances, and taunts rivals, like the ironic “olé” to Palmeiras in 2021. But there are controversies: accusations of favoritism to friends, like Kannemann at Grêmio, or abrupt exits, like from Flamengo. Still, his authenticity makes him human. In interviews, he speaks of family—married to Janaína, father of three—and his faith, which guides him in tough times.
Current Events and Future: What’s Next in 2025
Exit from Fluminense and the Club World Cup
In 2025, Renato returned to Fluminense in April, tasked with qualifying for the expanded Club World Cup. He restructured the team, integrating veterans like Thiago Silva with prospects like André. In the Libertadores, Flu reached the quarterfinals, but the real feat came at the Club World Cup in June in the United States. Beating Inter Milan 2-1 in the round of 16, with goals from Cano and Arias, Renato turned an underdog into reality. In the semifinal, however, a 0-3 loss to Real Madrid exposed limitations. Still, third place against Al-Hilal earned global praise.
His stay at Flu lasted until October. After elimination in the Copa Sudamericana to Racing on October 22, Renato resigned. “It was an honor, but the cycle is over,” he said in an emotional press conference. The Carioca club was struggling in the Brasileirão, but injuries and disagreements with the board weighed heavy.
Inquiries and the 2026 Horizon
Free since then, Renato draws interest. In November 2025, negotiations with Argentina’s Boca Juniors advanced but ended over salary differences. “I want to return to Brazil in 2026,” he said in a Globo Esporte interview on November 1. Inquiries come from Mexico—where Guadalajara wants him for 2026—and even Egypt, but Renato dreams of a big Brazilian club. At Grêmio, speculation boils, but he rules out an immediate return. “I need a winning project,” he said.
Rumors link him to Botafogo, in crisis with Davide Ancelotti, and Palmeiras, post-Abel Ferreira. Abroad, Boca sees him as Demichelis’ successor. At 63, Renato stays fit—playing pickup games and surfing in Rio—and plans a book on his career. “Football gave me everything; now, I want to give back,” he reflects.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Transcends the Field
Renato Gaúcho is more than a coach: he’s a storyteller, a soul motivator, and a born winner. From Guaporé to the world, his journey inspires through persistence and joy. With titles that fill museums and lessons that shape generations, he proves football goes beyond 90 minutes. In 2025, as he awaits the next chapter, Renato remains the Gaúcho who makes Brazil thrill. May more pages come in this unforgettable saga.
