Mário Sérgio

A versatile Brazilian midfielder and commentator who joined Fox Sports at its inception before his tragic death while covering a final.

Mário Sérgio Pontes de Paiva, known simply as Mário Sérgio, was a Brazilian footballer and manager who later became a prominent commentator for Fox Sports Brazil starting in 2012. Born on 7 September 1950, his playing career saw him move through several clubs across Brazil and one stint in Argentina before he tragically died on 28 November 2016. He was traveling with the Chapecoense squad to the Copa Sudamericana finals when LaMia Airlines Flight 2933 crashed in Cerro Gordo, Antioquia, Colombia.

Quick Facts

Full name: Mário Sérgio Pontes de Paiva
Born: 7 September 1950
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: 28 November 2016
Place of death: La Unión, Antioquia, Colombia
Position: Midfielder

Lore & Background

Mário Sérgio began his journey with Flamengo but never made a first-team appearance there. He moved to Vitória in Salvador, where he stayed for five years, making over 80 league appearances and winning the Campeonato Baiano in 1972. In 1975, he transferred to Fluminense, securing the Campeonato Carioca title that same year after playing fourteen times in two years. His career was marked by frequent moves; over the next decade, he played for eight different clubs across Brazil and one in Argentina, Rosario Central, staying at each for a maximum of three years. Notable achievements during this period included winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with Internacional in 1979 and securing two Campeonato Gaúcho titles in 1981 and 1984. He also won an Intercontinental Cup with Grêmio in 1983, defeating Hamburger SV 2–1.

Reader's Guide

After retiring in 1987, Sérgio transitioned into management. He coached former clubs Vitória and São Paulo, as well as Corinthians, Atlético Paranaense, and Atlético Mineiro. His time at Figueirense was notable; in 2007, he led them to the Copa do Brasil final, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Fluminense after six months. He later returned to Figueirense on 16 September 2008 but left Portuguesa on 6 March 2009 following a mixed record of five wins, five draws, and two losses. In October 2009, he took over as Internacional's coach, guiding them to a runner-up finish in the Brasileirão before being replaced by Ceará in September due to their 11th-place standing.