Garrincha: the sum of the beautiful game

[MIGkiller]

For most brazilians he was the 2nd greatest brazilian player of all time (some old people will say he was the 2nd of the world, or even greater than Pelé). Unfortunately he played in a time when TV was not available yet and there aren't much video records of his plays. That's why his achievements are not well known by the younger generations and soccer newbie nations.

I wasn't born at his time, but from the videos that I've seen, can say that he played with such skill and flair that he humiliated his adversaries, like a Zorro of football. He took great credit for the brazilian victories in the World Cups of 58 and 62. Everytime his plays are shown on TV you can hear the music "Na Cadência do Samba", which is called the anthem of brazilian football.

Since he played in a time when players were not paid huge amount of cash, and because of mismanagements of his personal life (alcohol and women), he died sick and poor in 1983.

But let make this thread a praise of his football and achievements, and anyone that could add to the discussion with links to videos of his memorable plays is invited.

[Gregoriak]

Fully justified. I`ve seen a couple of his 1958 and 1962 performances, and they virtually left me speechless. His play was probably more thrilling than Pele`s (who gets all the praise these days).

[giggs88]

i saw history of football on tv a few months ago,, garrincha left me absolutely speechless, his skill and trickery was astonishing, nobody agrees with me, but in my opinion he was definetly one of the best players in the world, probably beter than pele. very rarely can you see a player of that class emerging.

[comme]

Originally posted by giggs88
in my opinion he was definetly one of the best players in the world, probably beter than pele. very rarely can you see a player of that class emerging.

I'd say a player beter than pele was quite rare as well.

[Real Ray]

http://www.geocities.com/castmind/garrincha.html

Here's a clip of him on the '62 WC. Also put up the famous picture of his legs-amazing that he could play with this body.

[tpmazembe]

Mane Garrincha, indeed one of the greatest players of all time. I’m not going to get into a comparison between O Rei and A Alegria do Povo – their mates on the pitch, including Nilton Santos, Didi, Zagallo, Pepe have all had their say comparing the pair’s games, and which was ultimately more effective (and its all in the public domain). As a duo, never lost a game.

Garrincha is like a Dizzy Gillespie, pure improvisation with a big smile to accompany the show. His qualities came from being an enterprising and devastating dribbler, with an end product of placing his teammates in position to score. Sometimes, as in WC’62, he turned devastating finisher as well.

His charm came from his perceived innocence and insouciance. He was the everyday man with whom the vast majority of Brasilians could relate. The stories about him, some true and some enhanced, are legendary. Here are a couple of my favorites:
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The writer Mario Filho tells a story of how when he traveled with the ’62 Selecao he interacted with players on a daily basis to record what was to become a book called Copa do Mundo 62. One of the questions he liked to ask the players each morning was if they had dreams or visions about games. The day after the game against England, 3-1 with two Garrincha goals, Mane says:

- The night before the game I dreamt my late father telling me we would win 5-0, and that I would score all the goals.
- What are your thoughts on that – asks Mario Filho
- I think my dad knows jack shiite about football – replies Mane in a serious tone.
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During a Botafogo training exercise, coach Zeze Moreira became irritated with Mane’s constant dribbling to the end line, believing it to be unproductive. He decided to stop training and place a chair close to the outward edge of the box on the right wing. He instructs the team to go through a walk through of the play he wants, and instructs Garrincha that upon arriving at the chair for him to cross the ball into the box.

Well, upon receiving the ball (totally unmarked mind you), Mane reaches the chair and can’t resist his natural instinct – he nutmegs the chair, dribbles to the end line and then crosses, all to the chagrin of his coach…..and to the world’s delight.

He is missed.

If anyone is interested they should try and get their hands on:

Definitive Biography: Estrela Solitária (Ruy Castro, Companhia das Letras, 1998)
Best Video : Garrincha, Alegria do Povo (circa ’64)

[tico 12]

Don't know much about Garrincha but just happened to watch a tv program by chance and given the incredible moves he had and how fast he was,Bava one of his teammates in WC 62 said that he was hit with polio and had to overcome some handicap on his legs. My guess is that he didn't get the full force of the desease but still thats remarkable. Any body has any more info on this?

[Real Ray]

Originally posted by tico 12
Don't know much about Garrincha but just happened to watch a tv program by chance and given the incredible moves he had and how fast he was,Bava one of his teammates in WC 62 said that he was hit with polio and had to overcome some handicap on his legs. My guess is that he didn't get the full force of the desease but still thats remarkable. Any body has any more info on this?

No, his legs were deformed at birth and could have been treated with orthopedic braces. But growing up where he did, this was not really a possibilty, and he simply grew up with his legs bent.

[tico 12]

Thanks for the clarification Real Ray, must of misunderstood Bava's interview. Now it makes more sense.