Garrincha

Lore & Background

Garrincha played a vital role in Brazil's 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories. In 1962, when Pelé was injured, Garrincha led Brazil to a World Cup victory with a dominating performance throughout the tournament. He also became the first player to win the Golden Ball, Golden Boot and the World Cup in the same tournament. He was named in the World Cup All-Star Teams of both 1958 and 1962. In 1994, he was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé. He came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote in 1999. He is a member of the World Team of the 20th Century and was inducted into the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame. He was also called Alegria do Povo and Anjo de Pernas Tortas. At club level, he played the majority of his professional career for Botafogo. He also played for Corinthians, Atlético Junior, Flamengo, and Olaria. He inspired the first bullfighting chants of olé to be used at football grounds.

In Their Own Story

The Maracanã hummed with a roar that shook the stadium's foundations, yet inside the locker room, tension hung thick. A young Flamengo trainee stared at an old black-and-white photograph taped to the wall: a man with a crooked smile and mismatched legs dancing past three defenders in a blur of motion. 'They say he could make the ball dance,' the boy whispered. The veteran striker chuckled softly. 'He did more than that, kid. He made the world laugh while breaking hearts.' The boy frowned, pointing at the frame. 'But why is a Botafogo legend in our history book?' The old man sighed, leaning back against the bench. 'Because even lions respect the king of the jungle, even if he hunts on the other side of the savannah. Garrincha was magic, pure and simple. But remember this: we honor the artistry first, the colors second. He never wore our red and black, but his genius belongs to football itself.'

Reader's Guide

Garrincha was born in Pau Grande, a district of Magé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in 1933. He was born with his right leg 6 centimetres shorter than his left, and his legs turned in opposite directions. He was nicknamed Garrincha by his sister. He signed for Botafogo in 1953, already married and a parent. He helped Botafogo win the Campeonato Carioca in 1957. After the 1962 World Cup, he carried Botafogo to victory in the 1962 Campeonato Carioca final against Flamengo. He played for Botafogo for 12 years, scoring 232 goals in 581 matches. In 1966, he was sold to Corinthians. Two years later, he signed for Atlético Junior, then went back to Brazil and joined Flamengo, where he stayed until 1969. He played for Olaria in 1972. He played 50 international matches for Brazil between 1955 and 1966, appearing in three World Cups. Brazil lost only one match with him on the pitch—against Hungary in 1966, his final appearance.

Did You Know?

• Garrincha was born with his right leg 6 centimetres shorter than his left, and one doctor certified him as crippled as a child.
• He inspired the first bullfighting chants of olé to be used at football grounds during a 1958 club game for Botafogo.
• Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé.
• He played for Flamengo from 1968 to 1969, according to the source.