Jairzinho
The Hurricane who conquered the world with Brazil and Botafogo.
Jair Ventura Filho (born 25 December 1944), better known as Jairzinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. A quick, skillful, and powerful right winger known for his finishing ability and eye for goal, he was a key member and leading scorer of the Brazil national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He played most of his club football in South America, spending eleven years at Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo, and later played in Europe for Marseille.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Right Winger; Forward
- Status
- Club Legend; Retired
- Major achievement
- Brazilian World Cup Winner (1970)
- Nickname
- Furacão (The Hurricane)
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).
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?
- He ranks third in all-time top goal scorers for Botafogo, with 186 goals in 416 appearances.
- He was suspended for one year in 1975 for assaulting a referee while at Cruzeiro.
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