Born in Soledade, Rio Grande do Sul, Rochemback began his career with nearby Sport Club Internacional before transferring to FC Barcelona in July 2001 at the age of 19.
[1][2][3][4] In two full seasons at the Camp Nou he made 68 total appearances and scored four goals, most memorably a long-distance strike as a substitute in a 3–1 UEFA Champions League win away to Liverpool on 20 November 2001.
[10] Having caught the eye of Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren during a UEFA Cup game for Sporting earlier in the year, Rochemback signed a five-year deal with the Teesside club on transfer deadline day of 31 August 2005.
The late deal had been jeopardised by financial complications: Sporting were subject to a €1 million payment to Barcelona if Rochemback did not spend three years on loan at the club, so Middlesbrough agreed to pay this fee as well.
[12][13] Rochemback made his league debut in a 2–1 home win over Arsenal on 10 September,[14] and scored his first goal on 11 February 2006 in a 3–0 victory against leaders and reigning champions Chelsea also at the Riverside Stadium.
[16] He also played an important role in Middlesbrough's run to the 2006 UEFA Cup Final in a 4–1 victory (4–3 on aggregate) against FC Basel in the quarter–final second leg on 6 April, which he was named man of the match.
[18] During his time on Teesside he earned the nickname "Knock'em-back" due to his regular visits to The Keys pub / nightclub in Yarm on weekends[citation needed].