Leônidas da Silva
Encyclopedia
Leônidas da Silva was an association footballer and commentator
. He is regarded to be one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. He played for Brazil
in two World Cups
, and was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup
.
He was known as the "Black Diamond", and as the "Rubber Man" – due to his elasticity. He is known for having created the bicycle kick
.
, started his career at São Cristóvão
. In 1931 and in 1932, he played for Bonsucesso
.
He joined Peñarol in Uruguay in 1933. After one year, he came back to Brazil to play for Vasco da Gama
. He helped them win the Rio State Championship
. After playing in the World Cup in 1934 he joined Botafogo
and won another Rio State Championship in 1935. On the following year, he joined Flamengo
, where he stayed until 1941. Once again, in 1939, he won Rio State Championship. He also fought prejudice, being one of the first black players to join the then-elitist Flamengo team.
Leonidas joined São Paulo
in 1942 and stayed at the club until his retirement from playing in 1950.
The first time Leônidas used this technique was on 24 April 1932, in a match between Bonsucesso and Carioca. In Flamengo he used this play only once, in 1939, against Argentinian team Independiente. The unusual volley gained huge fame at the time, propelling it into the football mainstream.
For São Paulo he used the bicycle kick in two opportunities: the first one on 14 June 1942, in the defeat against Palestra Italia(current Palmeiras). Most famous of all, he used it on 13 November 1948, in the massive 8–0 victory over Juventus. The play (and the goal) was captured in an image http://terceirotempo.ig.com.br/img/galeria/2009/04/16477.jpg and is regarded to be the most famous picture of the player.
In the 1938 World Cup, he also used the bicycle kick, which delighted the watching spectators. When he did it, the referee was so shocked by the volley that he was unsure whether it was within the rules or not.
, scoring 21 goals. He scored twice on his debut for the Brazilian national team
. In 1938
, he was the World Cup's top scorer with 7 goals, scoring at least three times in the 6–5 extra time win over Poland
. Brazil manager Adhemar Pimenta
decided to rest him for the semi-final against Italy. The Italians won the game 2–1.
and the round in question. The matches’ numbers reflect the number of World Cup matches Leônidas played during his career.
and the round in question. When there is a special article on the match in question, the link is in the column for round.
, São Paulo, because of complications due to Alzheimer's disease
, from which he had been suffering since 1974. He is buried in the Cemitério Morada da Paz
of São Paulo.
Broadcasting of sports events
The broadcasting of sports events is the coverage of sports as a television program, on radio and other broadcasting media. It usually involves one or more sports commentators describing the events as they happen.-United States:...
. He is regarded to be one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. He played for Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in two World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, and was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
.
He was known as the "Black Diamond", and as the "Rubber Man" – due to his elasticity. He is known for having created the bicycle kick
Bicycle kick
A Bicycle kick or Scissor kick is a physical move made by throwing the body up into the air, making a shearing movement with the legs to get one leg in front of the other without holding on to the ground. The move can either be done backwards or sideways...
.
Club career
Leônidas, born in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, started his career at São Cristóvão
São Cristóvão de Futebol e Regatas
São Cristóvão de Futebol e Regatas, or São Cristóvão as they are usually called, is a traditional Brazilian football team from Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, founded on February 2, 1943. Their home stadium is the Figueirinha stadium, capacity 8,000. They play in white shirts, white shorts and...
. In 1931 and in 1932, he played for Bonsucesso
Bonsucesso Futebol Clube
Bonsucesso Futebol Clube, or Bonsucesso, is a Brazilian football team from Bonsucesso neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro state, founded on August 12, 1913. The club competed in Campeonato Brasileiro Série B twice.-History:...
.
He joined Peñarol in Uruguay in 1933. After one year, he came back to Brazil to play for Vasco da Gama
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama |Rowing Club]]), usually known as Vasco da Gama or simply Vasco, is a famous and traditional Brazilian multisports club from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, founded on August 21, 1898...
. He helped them win the Rio State Championship
Campeonato Carioca
The Campeonato Carioca, also known as Campeonato Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, is the football league of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is one of the most prestigious national football tournaments...
. After playing in the World Cup in 1934 he joined Botafogo
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas , also known as Botafogo and familiarly as Estrela Solitária, is a Brazilian sports club based in Botafogo, neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, best known for its football team. They play in the Campeonato Carioca, Rio de Janeiro's state league, and the Campeonato...
and won another Rio State Championship in 1935. On the following year, he joined Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
, where he stayed until 1941. Once again, in 1939, he won Rio State Championship. He also fought prejudice, being one of the first black players to join the then-elitist Flamengo team.
Leonidas joined São Paulo
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
in 1942 and stayed at the club until his retirement from playing in 1950.
The bicycle kick
Leônidas is regarded to be the inventor of the "Bicycle Kick". He self entitled himself as the inventor of it. Although some say it was invented by another Brazilian player: Pretonilho de Brito, and that Leônidas only perfected it.The first time Leônidas used this technique was on 24 April 1932, in a match between Bonsucesso and Carioca. In Flamengo he used this play only once, in 1939, against Argentinian team Independiente. The unusual volley gained huge fame at the time, propelling it into the football mainstream.
For São Paulo he used the bicycle kick in two opportunities: the first one on 14 June 1942, in the defeat against Palestra Italia(current Palmeiras). Most famous of all, he used it on 13 November 1948, in the massive 8–0 victory over Juventus. The play (and the goal) was captured in an image http://terceirotempo.ig.com.br/img/galeria/2009/04/16477.jpg and is regarded to be the most famous picture of the player.
In the 1938 World Cup, he also used the bicycle kick, which delighted the watching spectators. When he did it, the referee was so shocked by the volley that he was unsure whether it was within the rules or not.
National team
He played 19 times for the Brazilian national teamBrazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, scoring 21 goals. He scored twice on his debut for the Brazilian national team
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. In 1938
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
, he was the World Cup's top scorer with 7 goals, scoring at least three times in the 6–5 extra time win over Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
. Brazil manager Adhemar Pimenta
Adhemar Pimenta
Adhemar Pimenta is a former Brazilian football manager.He was born in Rio de Janeiro on April 12, 1896, and died in the same city on August 26, 1970.-References:...
decided to rest him for the semi-final against Italy. The Italians won the game 2–1.
Leônidas da Silva’s 1934 World Cup statistics
The scores contain links to the article on the 1934 FIFA World Cup1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
and the round in question. The matches’ numbers reflect the number of World Cup matches Leônidas played during his career.
| Game no. | Round | Date | Opponent | Score | Leônidas’ goals | Times | Leônidas’ playing time | Notes | Venue | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st R. | 27 May 1934 | 1–3 (0–3) | 1 | 90 min. | Stadio Luigi Ferraris Stadio Luigi Ferraris Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, also known as the Marassi from the name of the ward where is located, is a multi-use stadium in Genoa, Italy. It opened in 1911 and is one of the first and oldest stadiums still in use for football and other sports in Italy.Hosts since its birth the inside of Genoa,... , Genoa Genoa Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria.... |
Leônidas da Silva’s 1938 World Cup statistics
The scores contain links to the article on the 1938 FIFA World Cup1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
and the round in question. When there is a special article on the match in question, the link is in the column for round.
| Game no. | Round | Date | Opponent | Score | Leônidas’ goals | Times | Leônidas’ playing time | Notes | Venue | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1st R. | 5 June 1938 | 6–5 a.e.t. (4–4) (3–1) |
3 | 120 min. | Stade de la Meinau Stade de la Meinau The Stade de la Meinau, commonly known as "La Meinau" is a football stadium in Strasbourg, France. It is the home ground of RC Strasbourg and has also hosted international matches, including one game of World cup 1938, two games of Euro 1984 and the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1988. La Meinau... , Strasbourg Strasbourg Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,... |
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=5/results/matches/match=1150/report.html | |||
| 3 | QF Battle of Bordeaux (football) The Battle of Bordeaux is an informal name for the World Cup football match between Brazil and Czechoslovakia on June 12, 1938 in the Parc Lescure in Bordeaux, France, one of the quarter-finals of the 1938 World Cup finals... |
12 June 1938 | 1–1 a.e.t. (1–1) (1–0) |
1 | 120 min. | Parc Lescure Stade Chaban-Delmas Stade Chaban-Delmas is a sporting stadium located in the city of Bordeaux, France. It is the home ground of FC Girondins de Bordeaux.Until 2001, the stadium's name was the Stade du Parc Lescure... , Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... |
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=5/results/matches/match=1152/report.html | |||
| 4 | Replay | 14 June 1938 | 2–1 (0–1) | 1 | 90 min. | Parc Lescure Stade Chaban-Delmas Stade Chaban-Delmas is a sporting stadium located in the city of Bordeaux, France. It is the home ground of FC Girondins de Bordeaux.Until 2001, the stadium's name was the Stade du Parc Lescure... , Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... |
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=5/results/matches/match=1153/report.html | |||
| – | SF | 16 June 1938 | 2–1 (0–0) | 0 | Did not play | Manager’s choice | Stade Vélodrome Stade Vélodrome The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,... , Marseille Marseille Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of... |
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=5/results/matches/match=1149/report.html | ||
| 5 | 3rd pl. | 19 June 1938 | 4–2 (1–2) | 2 | 90 min. | Parc Lescure Stade Chaban-Delmas Stade Chaban-Delmas is a sporting stadium located in the city of Bordeaux, France. It is the home ground of FC Girondins de Bordeaux.Until 2001, the stadium's name was the Stade du Parc Lescure... , Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... |
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=5/results/matches/match=1151/report.html |
After retirement
He joined São Paulo as manager in 1953, before leaving football to become a radio reporter and then the owner of a furniture store in São Paulo. Leônidas died in 2004 in CotiaCotia
Cotia is a city in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2006 was 179,685. The city is at an altitude of 853 m, its density is 554.77/km² and the area is 324 km². Cotia is linked with the Rodovia Raposo Tavares highway.- History :...
, São Paulo, because of complications due to Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, from which he had been suffering since 1974. He is buried in the Cemitério Morada da Paz
Cemitério Morada da Paz
Cemitério Morada da Paz is a cemetery located in Natal, Brazil.- Notable interments :*Aluízio Alves - Honorable politician for the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.*David Cunha "Espanta" - Famous Brazilian comedian....
of São Paulo.
External links
- Web site dedicated to Leônidas – leonidasdasilva.com.br – Publikan, Brazil.
- Leônidas da Silva career at Sambafoot