Brazilians have shouted his name from the National Sports Center in Blaine to Rio de Janiero’s famous stadium, Maracana, the site of the XXXI Olympics’ opening ceremonies Friday.

“Ibson!”

The singularly named Brazilian soccer player, now a midfielder with Minnesota United FC, received that star treatment when the Loons’s 2015 preseason trip included watching Ibson’s former Rio team, Flamengo, play Vasco at the iconic venue.

“The guy could not walk around the stadium,” said United defender Tiago Calvano, a fellow Brazilian. “We had to call the police and put him in the middle (of the team) and walk him through the stadium.”

On a much smaller scale, that scene repeated a few weeks ago when Brazilian youth teams spotted him and called out “Ibson!” during the USA Cup soccer tournament on Blaine’s expansive grounds. Related Articles Houston Dynamo scores twice in 2nd half to tie Minnesota United

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After an illustrious career in Brazil and Europe, Ibson became Minnesota’s highest-paid player before the 2015 season. A season ago, the maestro had six goals, four assists and was named to the North American Soccer League’s Best XI squad.

He has fought off a left knee injury and other ailments during the preseason to surge over the past few weeks. He brings a goal and three assists into United’s match against Miami FC on Saturday night at the National Sports Center.

“The quality is absolutely outstanding,” United coach Carl Craig said.

Ibson joined Flamengo’s youth academy at age nine in 1992 and debuted with the senior team in 2003.

Fellow Loon Juliano Vicentini joined him at Flamengo in 2004. “He was a very good player — still a very good player,” Vicentini said.

Ibson advanced to Portugal’s FC Porto in 2004-05 and played in the UEFA Champions League, the height of club soccer around the world.

“Brilliant,” Ibson said of the experience as Calvano translated. “(I) used to play (FIFA video game) on PlayStation and when (I) was there it was a dream come true.”

After another stint with Flamengo, Ibson went to Spartak Moscow in 2009 and scored two goals in the Champions League.

Ibson came to Minnesota for a new challenge and to escape some of the gawkers that flocked to him in Brazil and Europe.

“(I) could not go to the street or relax with the family,” Ibson said through Calvano. “Here, (I) can enjoy the family. (I) can go in the park and play with the kids and no one say nothing.”

With United, Ibson has not always been committed to defense, but Craig said that has changed recently.

“He’s like a little boy at times on the field, the excitement and enjoyment he shows,” Craig said.

Despite his age, 32, Ibson could carve out a reserve role when United moves up to Major League Soccer in 2017, if he can tame a chronic patella tendon issue, Craig figured.

CEUS IN NET AGAIN



United goalie Sammy Ndjock will remain on the bench Saturday, where he has been since he threw the ball into his own net during the friendly match against Bournemouth of the Premier League on July 20.

Steward Ceus will start his fourth straight match. Ndjock has been listed with a non-serious knee injury, but it’s Ceus’ net right now.

“Stew has been a calming influence,” Craig said. “I’m OK with Stew. I’m more than OK.”

BRIEFLY



Winger Stefano Pinho, who has missed the past two games with a left quad injury, could return to the starting lineup against Miami. Pinho is second on the team with four goals.