Manuel Francisco dos Santos or better known as Garrincha is regarded as one of footballs greatest ever dribblers of the ball - some regard him as the best ever. Garrincha, which means little bird in Portuguese, was born with his right leg 6cm shorter and his left leg bent inwards. A physical disability that did not stop him achieving his dream of becoming a professional footballer and some say it helped him with his close dribbling play style. A two time World Cup winner with Brazil and an 18 time trophy winner with his club Botafogo - Garrincha is a true legend of the game.
What is interesting is he achieved all this with a physical disability, a resilience to play the game he loves at the highest level overpowered his disability. A top player during his years in Brazil he mainly played for Botafogo - a 13 year stint where he scored 101 goals in 323 official games for the club. However, alcoholism and a serious knee injury toke a toll in him and his later years and career he was reduced to a few games a season. At the height of his powers in the late 50s and early 60s he was subject to a move to Europe with Juventus strongly interested in 1954 and Real Madrid in 1969. But those moves never materialised and he opted to stay in Brazil - in those days it was quite rare for a player to play in a foreign league.
After winning all there was to win with Botofogo and his career winding down he was moved on to Corinthians also in Brazil. He played 10 games and scored once - his late goal in professional football. After a two year break, now 35 he signed for Colombian side Atletico Junior but played just once and moved back to Brazil with Flamnego and played five games in two seasons. In 1972 now 39 he played for his last club Olaria in Brazil and played six games for the club. Not the player he once was but his early games attracted large crowds as he was still known as a celebrity in Brazil - similar to how George Best ended his career.
A legend with Brazil, a member of the squad that won the world cup in 1958 and 1962, Garrincha was a star. His silky dribbling and combination with Pele and co. was a dream come true for fans of the Selecao. With 12 goals in 50 games, Garrincha also won the O'Higgins Cup, an international duel between Brazil and Chile, three times in 1955,1959 and 1961. And the Ozwaldo Cruz cup, a similar affair between Brazil and Paraguay, in 1960. In a Brazil team filled with stars, the greatest dribbler ever managed to stand out and cemented himself as a legend in his home country.
Garrincha won many individual accolades during his career, the World Cup Golden Ball, Boot and All-Star Team in 1962. The later he also won in 1958. In 1962, he won the best player of pretty much every tournament he played in - a great year that one for the Brazilian. Garrincha has been named in most 20th Century World XI's that have been produced by various organisations and as little as last year was included in a Ballon D'Or dream team XI.
1973, a year after his retirement Brazil gave him a farewell match between Brazil and a FIFA World team which mainly included Argentine and Uruguayan players. At the Maracana in front of 131,000 fans Garrincha played his last game of football, starting the game but made way in the first match to the crowds respects as he did a lap of the pitch before making his way down the tunnel for the last time.
His years of Alcohol abuse and over struggles sadly got the best of him. Suffering a very high profile divorce, in which the media portrayed him as the villain. He died in 1983 after his liver shut down and forced him into a coma. Brazil mourned the death of one of their greatest ever footballers and millions attended his funeral procession from the Maracana to Pau Grande. Garrincha left behind a legacy and fond memories of all the success he had but also the believe that anything is possible despite what life throws at you.
Obrigado, Garrincha, por você ter vivido
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