1. Overview
Jorge de Amorim Campos (born 17 August 1964), widely known as Jorginho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right back and later became a manager. Regarded as one of the finest full-backs of his era and among Brazil's greatest defenders, Jorginho's career was marked by his exceptional technical skills, agility, and a strong work ethic. He achieved significant success both at the club level across Brazil, Germany, and Japan, and notably with the Brazil national team, winning the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Beyond his athletic prowess, Jorginho has made significant social contributions, particularly through the establishment of 'Bola Pra Frente', an organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children in Brazil. His career embodies a commitment not just to sporting excellence but also to social progress and community upliftment.
2. Early Life and Background
Jorginho was born on 17 August 1964 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His early life was marked by hardship, as he experienced a poor childhood and tragically lost his father in an accident when he was young. At the age of 13, he joined América Football Club, a local club in Rio de Janeiro, to begin his footballing journey. He initially tried out as a centre-back, but due to his relatively short stature, he transitioned to playing as a side-back. It was in this new position that his agility and athleticism truly shone, allowing him to excel. At 17, his talent caught the eye of manager Edu, who gave him his professional debut.
3. Playing Career
Jorginho's playing career spanned over two decades, seeing him represent numerous clubs in Brazil, Germany, and Japan, and achieve significant international honors with the Brazil national team.
3.1. Club Career
Jorginho's club career was notable for its international breadth and his consistent success across different leagues.
3.1.1. Brazil
Jorginho began his professional career with América Football Club in 1983. After a season with América, he moved to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in 1985. At Flamengo, he played alongside football icon Zico and contributed to the club's victory in the 1986 Campeonato Carioca and the 1987 Copa União, a title considered national by the club and the Brazilian Football Confederation, despite Sport Recife being declared the official winners of the 1987 Campeonato Brasileiro by the Supreme Federal Court. He also won the Taça Guanabara in 1984 and 1988 with Flamengo.
After successful stints abroad, Jorginho returned to Brazil, joining São Paulo FC in 1999. He then moved to CR Vasco da Gama in 2000, where he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2000 and the Copa Mercosur in the same year, along with the Taça Guanabara for a third time. During his time at Vasco in 2001, he played alongside legendary strikers Romário and Bebeto, though their interactions were noted to be strained. He concluded his playing career with Fluminense Football Club in 2002, where he added another Campeonato Carioca title in 2002 before retiring in 2003.
3.1.2. Germany (Bundesliga)
In 1989, Jorginho made his move overseas, joining German Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. His exceptional offensive abilities were well-suited to the 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 formations commonly used by German teams at the time. In the 1991-92 season, his third and final year with the club, he scored five goals for Bayer Leverkusen and served as team captain. He also recorded 14 assists, placing him second in the league only behind Uwe Bein's 16.
Following his successful period at Leverkusen, Jorginho transferred to league giants FC Bayern Munich for the 1992-93 season. He primarily played as a defensive midfielder and quickly became a fan favorite. Backed by a formidable defensive line that included players like Olaf Thon, Thomas Helmer, and later Lothar Matthäus, he contributed to the team's success, recording 10 assists in his first season. In his second year, the 1993-94 season, he won the national title with Bayern Munich after a tight race against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. In the decisive final match against FC Schalke 04, despite starting on the bench due to fatigue, he came on in the 20th minute and scored the winning goal, securing the championship. Alongside Mazinho, he became one of the first Brazilian players to lift the Meisterschale. However, in the 1994-95 season, his playing time was reduced to just ten league appearances due to the return of Markus Babbel, who also operated on the right flank, and the acquisition of other foreign players like Jean-Pierre Papin and Alain Sutter. He occasionally served as captain during his tenure at Bayern. Across his Bundesliga career, he played 154 matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 39 assists.
3.1.3. Japan (Kashima Antlers)
In 1995, Jorginho moved to Japan to play for Kashima Antlers in the J.League. His transfer was facilitated by Edu, the older brother of Zico, who was then Kashima's coach. He played as both a right-back and a defensive midfielder. His J.League debut came on 18 March 1995 against Yokohama F. Marinos, and he scored his first J.League goal on 25 March against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Jorginho had a highly successful period with Kashima Antlers, contributing to their league titles in 1996 and 1998. In 1996, his strong performance and numerous assists earned him the J.League Most Valuable Player award and a spot in the J.League Best XI. In the 1997 J.League Cup, he scored the winning goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Nagoya Grampus Eight and also the decisive goal in the first leg of the final against Júbilo Iwata, helping Kashima secure the title. He was named the J.League Cup MVP for his seven goals in the competition. The same year, Kashima Antlers won the Emperor's Cup after defeating Yokohama Flügels in the final. Overall, he played 108 J.League matches, scoring 17 goals.
3.2. International Career
Jorginho was a key figure for the Brazil national team, participating in major tournaments and earning numerous caps.
3.2.1. Senior National Team
Jorginho earned 64 caps for the Brazil national team, scoring three goals. He made his senior debut against Ecuador in June 1987, scoring in the same match. He represented Brazil in the 1987 Copa América where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
He participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, playing as a wing-back in Brazil's 3-5-2 formation. His performance, characterized by solid defending, effective ball distribution to the front line, and accurate crosses, was highly regarded and often compared to that of West Germany's Andreas Brehme. However, after the 1990 World Cup, he was notably absent from the national team for approximately two years.
Jorginho returned to play a crucial role in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, starting in all of Brazil's matches as they went on to win the tournament. He received a yellow card in the second-round match against the United States. He was later named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team for his outstanding performances. He provided two assists in the tournament, including a decisive cross in the semi-finals against Sweden that led to Romário's winning goal. In the final against Italy, he demonstrated solid defensive play, even breaking free from a double-team. However, he sustained an injury just twenty minutes into the match and was replaced by Cafu.
He also featured in the 1995 Copa América, where Brazil finished as runner-up. His final appearance for the national team came on 9 August 1995, in a match against Japan. He was subsequently left out of the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup due to manager Mário Zagallo's policy of selecting younger players based on age considerations.
3.2.2. Youth and Olympic Teams
Before his senior international career, Jorginho also played for Brazil's youth and Olympic teams. He participated in the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup and won a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games. In 1988, he was part of the Olympic team that won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
4. Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Jorginho transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the national team and managing various clubs in Brazil, Japan, and the UAE.
4.1. Assistant Coach
Jorginho began his coaching career as an assistant. In 2006, he was appointed as the assistant coach for the Brazil national team under head coach Dunga, a former national teammate. He remained in this role until 2010. During Dunga's absence due to a ban from the Brazilian Football Confederation in 2008, Jorginho stepped in as interim manager for two friendly matches, leading Brazil to 1-0 victories against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden. Both Dunga and Jorginho left the national team following Brazil's quarter-final exit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup against the Netherlands.
4.2. Club Manager
Jorginho's first head coaching position was with his former club, América Football Club, in December 2005, a role he held until April 2006.
In August 2010, he was appointed head coach of Goiás Esporte Clube. However, his tenure was short, and he was dismissed in November of the same year. On 1 March 2011, he took over as manager of Figueirense FC. At Figueirense, despite financial limitations and a lack of high-profile player acquisitions, he transformed the club into a competitive team that vied for a Copa Libertadores spot until late in the season, ultimately finishing 7th out of 20 teams. This achievement earned him a nomination as one of the three best coaches in the league that year. He left Figueirense in December 2011.
On 21 December 2011, Jorginho returned to his former playing club, Kashima Antlers, as their new head coach. In 2012, he led Kashima to victories in both the J.League Cup and the Suruga Bank Championship. He departed Kashima after just one year.
Jorginho returned to Brazil, taking charge of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo on 17 March 2013, but was sacked on 6 June. He then managed Associação Atlética Ponte Preta from August to December 2013. In April 2014, it was announced that he would become the manager of Al Wasl FC in the UAE Pro League for the 2014-15 season.
On 16 August 2015, Jorginho was named head coach of another former club, CR Vasco da Gama. Despite the team's relegation, he was retained and led them to win the 2016 Campeonato Carioca. After securing immediate promotion back to the top tier, he resigned on 28 November 2016.
He then had brief stints with Esporte Clube Bahia, being appointed on 1 June 2017 but dismissed after just 14 matches on 31 July 2017. On 21 May 2018, he replaced Marcelo Chamusca at Ceará Sporting Club, but resigned on 4 June, citing "personal reasons." The very next day, he was announced back at Vasco da Gama, but this second spell was also short-lived, as he was fired on 13 August 2018 after only 10 matches.
During the 2019 season, Jorginho coached two second-division Brazilian clubs: Ponte Preta and Coritiba. He achieved top-tier promotion with Coritiba but left on 11 December after failing to agree on new terms. On 21 August 2020, he returned to Coritiba for a second spell, but was again relieved of his duties on 25 October, with the club in the relegation zone.
On 5 April 2021, Jorginho was appointed head coach of Atlético Clube Goianiense in Brazil's top division. He resigned on 15 May after only 13 matches. On 3 July 2021, he took over newly promoted first-division side Cuiabá. He successfully kept the club in the first division but left at the end of his contract in December 2021 after failing to agree on new terms. On 16 May 2022, he returned to Atlético Goianiense for a second time, replacing Umberto Louzer, but was dismissed on 27 August. On 5 September, he began his third spell as manager of Vasco da Gama in the second tier, achieving promotion by 10 November before departing.
On 25 March 2024, Jorginho accepted an offer from Buriram United in the Thai League, with the club aiming for a domestic championship and success in the AFC Champions League. He won the Thai League title with Buriram United. On 27 July 2024, he returned to Coritiba for a third spell as head coach, but left by mutual consent on 11 November 2024.
5. Personal Life and Social Activities
Jorginho is a devout born-again Christian. His faith was featured in a special version of the film Jesus during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, alongside fellow Brazilian footballers Cláudio Taffarel and Bismarck.
In 2000, Jorginho founded the social project 'Bola Pra Frente' (meaning "Ball Forward" or "Ball to the Future") in Guadalupe, a slum in Rio de Janeiro. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for underprivileged children. The facility currently supports approximately 900 boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 17, offering them education, sports training, and vocational skills. The project reflects Jorginho's commitment to social contribution and empowering the youth in his community, illustrating a progressive approach to addressing social inequalities through grassroots initiatives.
6. Statistics
Comprehensive statistical data for Jorginho's playing and managerial careers are provided below.
6.1. Playing Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Cup | Goals | League Cup | Goals | Continental | Goals | Total | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| América-RJ | 1983 | Brazil | 8 | 0 | ||||||||
| 8 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 1984 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 12 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Flamengo | 1985 | 12 | 0 | |||||||||
| 12 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 1986 | 21 | 1 | ||||||||||
| 21 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 1987 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||
| 15 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 1988 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Leverkusen | 1989-90 | Bundesliga | 20 | 2 | ||||||||
| 20 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 1990-91 | 30 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 30 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 1991-92 | 37 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 37 | 5 | |||||||||||
| Bayern | 1992-93 | 33 | 3 | |||||||||
| 33 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 1993-94 | 24 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 24 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 1994-95 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||
| 10 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Kashima | 1995 | J1 | 29 | 8 | ||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 32 | 8 | |||||||||||
| 1996 | 26 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| 40 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 1997 | 31 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 4 | ||||||
| 48 | 16 | |||||||||||
| 1998 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 20 | 3 | |||||||||||
| São Paulo | 1999 | Brazil | 13 | 1 | ||||||||
| 13 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Vasco da Gama | 2000 | Brazil | 13 | 1 | ||||||||
| 13 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2001 | 22 | 1 | ||||||||||
| 22 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Fluminense | 2002 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||
| 4 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Total Career | 510 | 42 | 28 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 552 | 58 | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 | 1 |
| 1988 | 7 | 1 |
| 1989 | 10 | 0 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 1 |
| 1993 | 13 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 64 | 3 |
6.2. Managerial Statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||||
| America-RJ | Brazil | December 2005 | April 2006 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 42.86 | |||
| Goiás | Brazil | 29 August 2010 | 8 November 2010 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 30.00 | |||
| Figueirense | Brazil | 1 March 2011 | 4 December 2011 | 47 | 21 | 14 | 12 | 44.68 | |||
| Kashima Antlers | Japan | 21 December 2011 | 2012 | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 35.29 | |||
| Flamengo | Brazil | 17 March 2013 | 6 June 2013 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 50.00 | |||
| Ponte Preta | Brazil | 25 August 2013 | 13 December 2013 | 32 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 25.00 | |||
| Vasco da Gama | Brazil | 16 August 2015 | 28 November 2016 | 87 | 44 | 24 | 19 | 50.57 | |||
| Bahia | Brazil | 2 June 2017 | 31 July 2017 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 28.57 | |||
| Ceará | Brazil | 21 May 2018 | 4 June 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | |||
| Vasco da Gama | Brazil | 5 June 2018 | 13 August 2018 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 40.00 | |||
| Ponte Preta | Brazil | 8 February 2019 | 25 August 2019 | 31 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 41.94 | |||
| Coritiba | Brazil | 23 September 2019 | 11 December 2019 | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 60.00 | |||
| Coritiba | Brazil | 21 August 2020 | 25 October 2020 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 23.08 | |||
| Atlético Goianiense | Brazil | 5 April 2021 | 15 May 2021 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 61.54 | |||
| Cuiabá | Brazil | 5 July 2021 | 16 December 2021 | 32 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 31.25 | |||
| Atlético Goianiense | Brazil | 16 May 2022 | 27 August 2022 | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 37.04 | |||
| Vasco da Gama | Brazil | 5 September 2022 | 10 November 2022 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 50.00 | |||
| Buriram United | Thailand | 25 March 2024 | 21 May 2024 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 | |||
| Coritiba | Brazil | 27 July 2024 | 11 November 2024 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 44.44 | |||
| Total | 445 | 185 | 130 | 130 | 41.57 | ||||||
7. Honours
Jorginho accumulated numerous titles and individual accolades throughout his distinguished career as both a player and a manager.
7.1. Player
- Flamengo
- Copa União: 1987
- Campeonato Carioca: 1986
- Taça Guanabara: 1984, 1988
- Kirin Cup: 1988
- Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 1993-94
- Kashima Antlers
- J.League: 1996, 1998
- J.League Cup: 1997
- Emperor's Cup: 1997
- FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP: 1997, 1998
- Vasco da Gama
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2000
- Copa Mercosur: 2000
- Taça Guanabara: 2000
- Fluminense
- Campeonato Carioca: 2002
- Brazil
- FIFA World Cup: 1994
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1983
- Summer Olympic Games silver medal: 1988
- Pan American Games silver medal: 1983
- Rous Cup: 1987
7.2. Manager
- Kashima Antlers
- J.League Cup: 2012
- Suruga Bank Championship: 2012
- Vasco da Gama
- Campeonato Carioca: 2016
- Buriram United
- Thai League: 2023-24
7.3. Individual
- FIFA Fair Play Award: 1991
- FIFA XI: 1991
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1994
- J.League MVP: 1996
- J.League Best XI: 1996
- J.League Cup MVP: 1997
- Antlers Contribution Award: 2009
- J.League All-Star Soccer: 1995, 1996, 1997
8. Legacy and Reception
Jorginho is widely celebrated as one of the best full-backs of his generation and ranks among the greatest Brazilian defenders of all time. His ability to combine defensive solidity with significant offensive contributions, particularly from the right-back position, set him apart. His impactful performances at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where he was instrumental in Brazil's victory and earned a spot in the All-Star Team, solidified his legacy on the international stage.
In Japan, his time with Kashima Antlers left a lasting impression. A 2019 survey by Sports Graphic Number magazine ranked him as the second-best foreign defender to have ever played in the J.League, a testament to his influence and popularity within Japanese football. Beyond his on-field achievements, Jorginho's dedication to social causes, exemplified by his 'Bola Pra Frente' project, highlights his commitment to using his platform for positive societal impact, particularly in supporting vulnerable youth. This blend of sporting excellence and social responsibility contributes to his enduring positive reception and esteemed legacy in football history.