Niginho
Encyclopedia
Leonídio Fantoni, best known as Niginho or Fantoni III (born in Belo Horizonte
, February 12, 1912 – died September 5, 1975) was a professional association football forward player.
His Italian-origins family was a supporter of Cruzeiro
, than known as "Palestra Itália". Fantoni started his career in that club, playing with his brother João Fantoni (Ninão) and their cousin Otávio Fantoni
(Nininho). In 1931, they were sold to Lazio, where they would be known by their surnames, like a dinasty: Ninão was Fantoni I, Nininho was Fantoni II and him, Fantoni III. They played with another Italian-Brazilian player, Anfilogino Guarisi
, in a Lazio squad known as "Brasilazio". Before moving to Italy, Niginho conquested the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1928, 1929 and 1930.
In 1935, having dual citizenship, he was called by the Italian Army to fight in the invasion of Abissinia. He had married just one month before, and decided to go back to Brazil
. Lazio authorized it and paid the ship ticket. That year was particularly difficult to him: his cousin Fantoni II died of generalized infection from a broken nose.
Without formal authorization of Lazio, Niginho transferred to Palmeiras, than also known as Palestra Itália. Playing there from march to may, he scored six goals in six games and conquered the São Paulo State Championship. After that, he played in Vasco da Gama in 1937. In that club, he received his first call to Brazil national football team
. He was called to 1938 FIFA World Cup
as a Leônidas da Silva
stand-by player. Unfortunately, the Italians warned FIFA
that Niginho was in irregular situation, needing an authorization of Lazio to play, and that he as a desertor of Italian Army.
Leônidas injured himself in the game against Czechoslovakia
and had to play again in the play-off against the Czechs, because Niginho couldn't substitute him. His injury got worse and he hadn't conditions to play against Italy
in the semifinals.
In 1939, Niginho came back to Palestra Itália, who had to change its name to Cruzeiro in 1942. He conquered another tricampeonato, the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1943, 1944 and 1945. He played in there along another brother, Orlando Fantoni. Orlando would also play in Lazio, becaming known as Fantoni IV.
Niginho stopped to play in 1946, but would be linked with Cruzeiro until his death. As a coach, he conquered the tricampeonato in 1959, 1960 and 1961. In the 60s, his nephews Benito Fantoni and Fernando Fantoni played in the club. Fernando would also play in Lazio, as Fantoni V.
Niginho died by a heart attack in 1975, when he was visiting Cruzeiro. He was one of the top goalscorers in the clubs history, scoring 207 goals in 272 appearances, and the biggest idol in the pre-Mineirão
years.
Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country...
, February 12, 1912 – died September 5, 1975) was a professional association football forward player.
His Italian-origins family was a supporter of Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
, than known as "Palestra Itália". Fantoni started his career in that club, playing with his brother João Fantoni (Ninão) and their cousin Otávio Fantoni
Otávio Fantoni
Otávio Fantoni, best known as Nininho or Fantoni II was a Brazilian professional Football forward player....
(Nininho). In 1931, they were sold to Lazio, where they would be known by their surnames, like a dinasty: Ninão was Fantoni I, Nininho was Fantoni II and him, Fantoni III. They played with another Italian-Brazilian player, Anfilogino Guarisi
Anfilogino Guarisi
Amphilóquio Guarisi Marques was an Italian Brazilian football player. In Brazil he was known as Filó.-Biography:...
, in a Lazio squad known as "Brasilazio". Before moving to Italy, Niginho conquested the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1928, 1929 and 1930.
In 1935, having dual citizenship, he was called by the Italian Army to fight in the invasion of Abissinia. He had married just one month before, and decided to go back to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Lazio authorized it and paid the ship ticket. That year was particularly difficult to him: his cousin Fantoni II died of generalized infection from a broken nose.
Without formal authorization of Lazio, Niginho transferred to Palmeiras, than also known as Palestra Itália. Playing there from march to may, he scored six goals in six games and conquered the São Paulo State Championship. After that, he played in Vasco da Gama in 1937. In that club, he received his first call to Brazil national football 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...
. He was called to 1938 FIFA 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:...
as a Leônidas da Silva
Leônidas da Silva
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....
stand-by player. Unfortunately, the Italians warned FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
that Niginho was in irregular situation, needing an authorization of Lazio to play, and that he as a desertor of Italian Army.
Leônidas injured himself in the game against Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
and had to play again in the play-off against the Czechs, because Niginho couldn't substitute him. His injury got worse and he hadn't conditions to play against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the semifinals.
In 1939, Niginho came back to Palestra Itália, who had to change its name to Cruzeiro in 1942. He conquered another tricampeonato, the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1943, 1944 and 1945. He played in there along another brother, Orlando Fantoni. Orlando would also play in Lazio, becaming known as Fantoni IV.
Niginho stopped to play in 1946, but would be linked with Cruzeiro until his death. As a coach, he conquered the tricampeonato in 1959, 1960 and 1961. In the 60s, his nephews Benito Fantoni and Fernando Fantoni played in the club. Fernando would also play in Lazio, as Fantoni V.
Niginho died by a heart attack in 1975, when he was visiting Cruzeiro. He was one of the top goalscorers in the clubs history, scoring 207 goals in 272 appearances, and the biggest idol in the pre-Mineirão
Mineirão
Mineirão , officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã...
years.