Jairzinho

Lore & Background

Jairzinho was nicknamed 'the Hurricane' in reference to the way his jersey would shake as he ran down the wing. He replaced his footballing idol Garrincha in both the Botafogo and Brazil teams. He played in three consecutive World Cups: 1966, 1970 and 1974. At the 1970 World Cup, he scored in every game Brazil played, earning the epithet 'Furacão da Copa' (World Cup Hurricane).

In Their Own Story

Jairzinho receives the ball near the touchline, his green and white jersey fluttering in the breeze. With a burst of acceleration that leaves the defender gasping for air, he dribbles past two opponents before unleashing a low, curling shot into the bottom corner. The stadium erupts as he sprints toward the sideline, arms raised, embodying the very spirit of the 'Little Sun' that warms the hearts of every Verdão supporter.

Reader's Guide

Jairzinho started his career at Botafogo, making his professional debut in 1960. He spent eleven years at Botafogo, winning the 1968 Campeonato Carioca, Taça Guanabara, and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He moved to Marseille in October 1974 for 1,250,000 FF, scoring nine goals in 18 league games. After a short stint at Kaizer Chiefs, he played for Cruzeiro, winning the 1976 Copa Libertadores. He later played for Portuguesa (Venezuela), Noroeste, Fast Clube, Jorge Wilstermann, and returned to Botafogo in 1981 for a friendly.

Did You Know?

• Jairzinho scored in every match of the 1970 World Cup, a feat unmatched by any player since.
• He ranks sixth in all-time top goal scorers for Botafogo, with 186 goals in 416 appearances.
• He scored a hat-trick in a famous 6–0 victory over Flamengo in 1972.
• He was suspended for one year after a scuffle with an assistant referee while at Marseille.