Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: Mauro da Silva Gomes ( born January 12 , 1968 in SÃ # o Bernardo do Campo , SÃ # o Paulo ) , simply Silva , is a retired Brazilian footballer , who played as a defensive midfielder .
Simplified: Mauro Silva ( born 12 January 1968 ) is a former Brazilian football player .