Zito

Santos FC legend and two-time World Cup winner with Brazil.

José Ely de Miranda (8 August 1932 – 14 June 2015), commonly known as Zito, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder. He is regarded as one of the biggest idols of Santos FC, the club he represented for 15 years, captaining a side including Pelé to domestic and international successes. He was also part of the Brazilian squads which won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962.

Quick Facts

Full name: José Ely de Miranda
Club era: 1952–1967 (Santos FC), later played for other teams including São Paulo FC

Lore & Background

Zito joined Santos in 1952 after finishing his formation at hometown amateur club Roseira FC and spending two years at Taubaté. He made his debut for Santos on 29 June 1952 in a 3–1 friendly win against Madureira. He appeared regularly for Santos in the following 15 years, playing 733 games and scoring 57 goals. He was the captain of the Os Santásticos team of the late 1950s and 1960s, playing alongside Pelé, Pepe and other Brazilian stars.

Zito was nicknamed Gerente (manager in Portuguese) by the media during his playing days, due to helping the manager Lula while outfields. Despite missing the two last games of 1963 Intercontinental Cup due to an injury, he acted as Lula's assistant during both matches as his team won the second title in a row. Zito played his last match on 7 November 1967, a 5–0 win against a mix between Ferroviário and Fortaleza at the Estádio Presidente Vargas.

At international level, he earned 52 caps for Brazil. He partnered Didi in midfield, and was part of the squad which won the 1958 FIFA World Cup final against hosts Sweden; after starting the tournament as a reserve, he finished it as an undisputed starter. In the 1962 edition in Chile, he was named in the Team of the Tournament. In the final of that tournament, Zito headed Brazil into the lead as they came from behind to win 3–1 against Czechoslovakia with Pelé absent through injury.

Reader's Guide

After retiring, Zito was a vice-president at Santos between 1978 and 1982. After one year away from the club, he was named director of football by president Milton Teixeira, but left the post in 1987. In 2000, he was named a youth coordinator, helping the club to promote youngsters Robinho and Diego to the first team. Zito was credited with bringing 11-year-old Neymar to the club in 2003. With Gabriel, he was also the scout who saw the player and brought him to the club's youth system. Zito suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had memory lapses. Following a stroke the year before, Zito died on 14 June 2015 aged 82 in Santos, São Paulo. In his honour, Santos decided to use the 'Z' letter in the captain's armband (instead of the regular 'C' used by most teams) from 2015 onwards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Zito?

José Maria Zito was a legendary central midfielder who served as the creative engine for Santos FC during their most successful period. He is widely celebrated for his tactical intelligence and ability to control the tempo of matches alongside Pelé.

What position did he play at Santos?

Zito operated primarily as a playmaker in the center of the pitch, using exceptional vision to dictate team movements. His passing range allowed him to connect defense with attack seamlessly throughout his career.

How long did Zito represent Santos FC?

He dedicated over a decade to the club, representing Santos from 1958 until 1970. This entire period coincided with the team's golden era of domestic and international dominance.

What major trophies did he win?

During his tenure, Zito helped Santos win numerous Campeonato Paulista titles along with the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup. These victories cemented his legacy as a cornerstone of Brazilian football history.