The career of the legendary Brazilian footballer, Garrincha, is one worthy of celebration. His story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness is an inspiring one that transcends the world of football and showcases the power of resilience. Despite being born with a physical disability that would have rendered him unable to play the game, Garrincha persevered and went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time.
His career was marked by triumph and tragedy, yet throughout it all, he remained true to himself and his beloved sport. Garrincha’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his lasting legacy is one that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Garrincha’s Early Life and Struggles with Disability
Garrincha was born in October 1933 in a small rural town in the Brazilian state of Para. He was born with proximal hamstring autointrophy (PAH), a genetic disorder that affects the growth of the proximal hamstring muscles. As a result, Garrincha had his right leg amputated at the age of two. Despite his disability, Garrincha never let his condition get in the way of his dreams.
He was always a passionate football fan, and the game became his escape from the struggles of his everyday life. From a young age, Garrincha dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, and he worked feverishly to achieve this goal. His physical disability never stopped him from playing football, and he constantly pushed himself to achieve greater things.
Garrincha’s Triumphs and Achievements
Garrincha’s talents and passion for the game caught the attention of scouts from Brazilian football clubs, and in 1952, at the age of 18, Garrincha signed his first professional contract with the Botafogo Football Club. He was soon promoted to the first team, and his impressive performances saw him rise to fame and become one of the most celebrated footballers in Brazil.
Garrincha’s exceptional dribbling skills and creativity on the pitch earned him the nicknames “The Joy of the People” and “The King of Prance.” Garrincha’s most celebrated achievement took place at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where he helped Brazil win their first-ever World Cup title.
He scored two goals in the final, including the game-winning goal in the last minute of extra time. Garrincha’s win at the World Cup cemented his place in the history books as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Garrincha’s Impact on Brazilian Football and the World
Garrincha’s rise to fame made him a global icon in the world of football. His unique physical attributes, such as his short stature and waddling walk, endeared him to football fans worldwide. His infectious personality and ease with the public made him one of the most celebrated and beloved footballers in Brazil and helped the sport gain even more popularity in the country. Garrincha’s achievements helped Brazilian football become even more popular and gave the sport a new level of prestige.
His legacy lives on in the many footballers he inspired to become professionals. Brazilian football legends like Pele and Zico, as well as other famous players like Lionel Messi, have cited Garrincha as one of their main inspirations. His impact on football extends beyond the field. Garrincha is also remembered for his impeccable sportsmanship: he never received a red card or a penalty during his entire career and was never once booked for misconduct.
Tragedy and Heartache in Garrincha’s Later Life
After the World Cup in 1958, Garrincha continued to achieve success on the football pitch. During his career, he won three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970), two Copas America (1919, 1923), six Rio de Janeiro State Championships (1953, 1954, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1966), two Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1959, 1960), and two São Paulo State Championships (1958, 1959).
Despite his incredible success, however, Garrincha’s career was marked by tragedy. His alcohol and drug abuse, coupled with his violent and impulsive behaviour, often caused him to run into trouble with the law. After an explosive temper led to a head-on car crash in 1982, Garrincha’s health deteriorated quickly. He had to undergo several surgeries and his health was badly affected by the use of alcohol and drugs during his recovery period. On 28 October 1983, Garrincha died of liver cancer at the age of 50.
Celebrating Garrincha’s Lasting Legacy
Garrincha is one of the most celebrated and iconic Brazilian footballers of all time. His career was marked by triumph and tragedy, but, no matter what he was faced with, he never gave up and remained true to himself. As a result, he made an indelible mark on the world of football and inspired many with his story of perseverance and strength. Garrincha’s legacy lives on in many ways, but perhaps the most distinct mark it has left is in the name of a famous football stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The Estádio Raulino de Oliveira, or the famous Maracanã Stadium, was once named the Estádio José Carlos de Barros e Carlos Drummond de Barros (the Maracanã Stadium), after the two men who brought football to Brazil in 1914. After Brazil won the right to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, however, the stadium was renovated to hold the millions of football fans who would come to attend the games.
The stadium was given a new name: the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (the Maracanã Stadium). The Jornalista Mário Filho was a Brazilian journalist and writer who died in 2002. The press room of the stadium is now named after Garrincha. He is the only footballer in the world whose name appears alongside a journalist’s.