Zizinho
Encyclopedia
Thomaz Soares da Silva, also known as Zizinho (ziˈzĩɲu; born October 14, 1921 – died February 8, 2002), was a Brazil
ian football player, who played as an attacking midfielder or winger for Brazil's national team
. He came to international prominence at the 1950 World Cup
, where scored two goals. He was lauded as a complete player, renowned for his incredible array of offensive skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting with both feet as well as dead ball ability and extraordinary vision.
Born at Niterói
, Rio de Janeiro
, he played for Flamengo
, Bangu
, São Paulo FC
, Audax Italiano of Chile
among others teams. In Flamengo, he won state championships in 1942, 1943 and 1944.
In the 1950 World Cup
he helped Brazil to progress to the final, but their surprise 2-1 defeat to Uruguay
tarnished his reputation. Zizinho played a total of 53 times for his national team, scoring 30 goals.He twice turned down last minute invitation's by the cbd to join up with the 1954 & 1958 world cup squads citing the reason that it would be unfair on the player being dropped at the last second to make way for him.
Pelé
always said that Zizinho was the best player he ever saw. "He was a complete player. He played in midfield, in attack, he scored goals, he could mark, head and cross."
He came in 4th place in the IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century.
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...
ian football player, who played as an attacking midfielder or winger for Brazil's 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...
. He came to international prominence at the 1950 World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
, where scored two goals. He was lauded as a complete player, renowned for his incredible array of offensive skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting with both feet as well as dead ball ability and extraordinary vision.
Born at Niterói
Niterói
Niterói is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast region of Brazil. It has an estimated population of 487,327 inhabitants and an area of ², being the sixth most populous city in the state and the highest Human Development Index. Integrates the Metropolitan Region of Rio de...
, Rio de Janeiro
Rio 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...
, he played for 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...
, Bangu
Bangu Atlético Clube
Bangu Atlético Clube, or Bangu as they are usually called, is a Brazilian football team from Bangu, Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, founded on April 17, 1904...
, São Paulo FC
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...
, Audax Italiano of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
among others teams. In Flamengo, he won state championships in 1942, 1943 and 1944.
In the 1950 World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
he helped Brazil to progress to the final, but their surprise 2-1 defeat to Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
tarnished his reputation. Zizinho played a total of 53 times for his national team, scoring 30 goals.He twice turned down last minute invitation's by the cbd to join up with the 1954 & 1958 world cup squads citing the reason that it would be unfair on the player being dropped at the last second to make way for him.
Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
always said that Zizinho was the best player he ever saw. "He was a complete player. He played in midfield, in attack, he scored goals, he could mark, head and cross."
He came in 4th place in the IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century.