Former Brazil international Alex De Souza had his name sprayed onto the field of play during his testimonial by none other than the referee . Alex celebrated the end of his career by playing alongside a host of his footballing friends in his Palmeiras ' testimonial . During the match as the ex-Fenerbahce ace was about to take a free-kick , the referee used his vanishing spray to write out the word 'Alex ' in tribute to the 37-year-old . Alex De Souza had his name sprayed onto the pitch by the referee during the Brazilian 's testimonial . The referee shared a joke with Alex as the former Brazil international was preparing to take a free-kick . Alex found the referee 's gesture amusing during his testimonial match in Brazil on Saturday . Alex , who played 48 games for Brazil , spent the majority of his career in his homeland before moving to Italian outfit Parma in 2002 . His most successful spell in Europe came in Turkey with Fenerbahce where the attacking midfielder scored an impressive 136 goals in 245 games . Alex decided to hang his boots up in December after spending 19 years in the professional game . Alex , pictured with Tuncay Sanli , spent eight years at Turkish outfit Fenerbahce before returning to Brazil .
A referee used vanishing spray to write Alex 's name onto field of play . Former Fenerbahce and Brazil star Alex hung up his boots in December . He played the majority of his career in Brazil before moving to Italy in 2002 .