BrazilianFootballerManagerWorld Cup Player

Zizinho

Zizinho was a legendary Brazilian attacking midfielder, celebrated as a complete player, Pelé's idol, and one of Brazil's greatest pre-Pelé era footballers.

1. Early Life and Background

Thomaz Soares da Silva was born on September 14, 1921, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He passed away on February 8, 2002, in his hometown of Niterói, due to a myocardial infarction. After his playing career, Zizinho worked as a local public servant in Rio de Janeiro state until his retirement.

2. Playing Career

Zizinho's professional football career spanned over two decades, primarily in Brazil, with a final stint in Chile. He was known for his significant contributions to both his clubs and the Brazilian national team.

2.1. Club Career

Zizinho began his career after an unsuccessful trial with America FC, eventually joining Flamengo in 1939. He quickly established himself as a regular, becoming the first idol of the club. During his eleven seasons with Flamengo until 1950, he played 318 matches and scored 146 goals. He was instrumental in Flamengo winning the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State Championship) in 1939, 1942, 1943, and 1944.

Before the 1950 FIFA World Cup, Zizinho was transferred to Bangu, where he played until 1957. In 1957, he moved to São Paulo FC, where he continued his success, winning the Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo State Championship) in the same year and becoming an idol there.

After São Paulo FC, Zizinho played for São Bento de Marília in 1959 and Uberaba in 1960. He briefly retired and took on a managerial role at Bangu, but later returned to play for Audax Italiano in Chile from 1961, eventually retiring from professional play in 1962.

The following table summarizes Zizinho's club career statistics:

ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueFriendlyTorneio Rio-São PauloOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Flamengo1940Campeonato Carioca00-9--3--5
1941Campeonato Carioca11-12---4-1
1942Campeonato Carioca11-11---1-14
1943Campeonato Carioca33-7-----36
1944Campeonato Carioca11-8---1-29
1945Campeonato Carioca33-12----26
1946Campeonato Carioca66-0----7
1947Campeonato Carioca00-1----22
1948Campeonato Carioca44-16-----19
1949Campeonato Carioca00-7-----22
1950Campeonato Carioca00-0--1---22
Subtotal-191988172--4466318146
Bangu1950Campeonato Carioca00-9--0-2-9
1951Campeonato Carioca00-17--5-1-1
1952Campeonato Carioca00-15--1--1
1953Campeonato Carioca00-4--6--1
1954Campeonato Carioca00-4----1
1955Campeonato Carioca00-4---1-1
1956Campeonato Carioca00-8----1
1957Campeonato Carioca00-4----1
Subtotal-0014765---12-4283124
São Paulo1957Campeonato Paulista00-6--0--5
1958Campeonato Paulista00-13--3--1
Subtotal-003519---3--6727
São Bento de Marília1959Campeonato Paulista Série A2009200----2
Uberaba1960Campeonato Mineiro0010100----1
Audax Italiano1961Chilean Primera División163-00----3
Career total163373175--19-23-303

2.2. National Team Career

Zizinho made his debut for the Brazil national football team on January 18, 1942, against Argentina. He played a total of 54 matches for his national team, scoring 30 goals.

He came to international prominence at the 1950 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil hosted. Zizinho was a pivotal figure in the Brazilian attack, forming a formidable trio with Ademir and Jair, where he often took on the role of a game-maker. He scored two goals in the tournament and helped Brazil reach the final. However, the team suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in the decisive match, an event famously known as the Maracanazo, which unfortunately overshadowed his otherwise stellar performance.

Despite widespread national desire for his inclusion, Zizinho notably turned down last-minute invitations from the CBF to join both the 1954 FIFA World Cup and 1958 FIFA World Cup squads. He cited that it would be unfair to the player who would have to be dropped at the last minute to make way for him.

The following table details Zizinho's international appearances and goals by year:

YearsGamesGoals
194252
194300
194400
194594
194676
194700
194800
194975
195073
195100
195200
195351
195400
195512
195675
195762
Total5430



The following table details Zizinho's international appearances and goals by match:

DateVenueScoreOpponentGoal(s)Competition
1.14 January 1942Centenário, Montevidéu6-1Chile01942 South American Championship
2.17 January 1942Centenário, Montevidéu1-2Argentina0
3.21 January 1942Centenário, Montevidéu2-1Peru0
4.31 January 1942Centenário, Montevidéu5-1Ecuador1
5.5 February 1942Centenário, Montevidéu1-1Uruguay1
6.21 January 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago3-0Colombia01945 South American Championship
7.28 January 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago2-0Bolivia0
8.7 February 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago3-0Uruguay0
9.14 February 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago1-3Argentina0
10.21 February 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago9-2Ecuador2
11.28 February 1945Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago1-0Chile0
12.16 December 1945Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo3-4Argentina1Copa Roca 1945
13.20 December 1945Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro6-2Argentina1
14.23 December 1945Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro3-1Argentina0
15.5 January 1946Centenário, Montevidéu3-4Uruguay1Copa Rio Branco 1946
16.9 January 1946Centenário, Montevidéu1-1Uruguay0
17.16 January 1946Estadio Gasómetro, Buenos Aires3-0Bolivia11946 South American Championship
18.23 January 1946Estadio Gasómetro, Buenos Aires4-3Uruguay0
19.29 January 1946Estadio Libertadores de América, Avellaneda1-1Paraguay0
20.3 February 1946Estadio Gasómetro, Buenos Aires5-1Chile4
21.10 February 1946Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires), Buenos Aires0-2Argentina0
22.3 April 1949Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro9-1Ecuador11949 South American Championship
23.10 April 1949Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo10-1Bolivia2
24.13 April 1949Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo2-1Chile1
25.24 April 1949Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro7-1Colombia0
26.30 April 1949Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro5-1Peru1
27.8 May 1949Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro1-2Uruguay0
28.11 May 1949Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro7-0Paraguay0
29.6 May 1950Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo3-4Uruguay1Copa Rio Branco 1950
30.14 May 1950Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro3-2Uruguay0
31.17 May 1950Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro1-0Uruguay0
-4 May 1950Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro6-4Combinado Grenal1Friendly
32.1 July 1950Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro2-0Mexico11950 FIFA World Cup
33.9 July 1950Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro7-1Spain0
34.13 July 1950Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro6-1Sweden1
35.16 July 1950Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro1-2Uruguay0
36.1 March 1953National Stadium of Peru, Lima8-1Bolivia01953 South American Championship
37.15 March 1953National Stadium of Peru, Lima1-0Ecuador0
38.19 March 1953National Stadium of Peru, Lima0-1Peru0
39.23 March 1953National Stadium of Peru, Lima3-2Chile1
40.27 March 1953National Stadium of Peru, Lima1-2Paraguay0
41.13 November 1955Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro3-0Paraguay2Taça Oswaldo Cruz 1955
42.12 June 1956Estádio do Club Libertad, Assunção2-0Paraguay0Taça Oswaldo Cruz 1956
43.17 June 1956Estádio do Club Libertad, Assunção5-2Paraguay2
44.24 June 1956Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro2-0Uruguay1Taça do Atlântico de 1956
45.1 July 1956Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro2-0Italy0Friendly
46.8 July 1956El Cilindro, Avellaneda0-0Argentina0Taça do Atlântico de 1956
47.5 August 1956Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro0-1Czechoslovakia0Friendly
48.8 August 1956Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo4-1Czechoslovakia2Friendly
49.13 March 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima4-2Chile01957 South American Championship
50.21 March 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima7-1Ecuador1
51.24 March 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima9-0Colombia1
52.28 March 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima2-3Uruguay0
53.31 March 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima1-0Argentina0
54.3 April 1957National Stadium of Peru, Lima0-3Peru0

3. Playing Style and Abilities

Zizinho was widely lauded as a "complete player," a description frequently used by his admirers, including Pelé. His playing style was characterized by an extraordinary array of offensive skills. He possessed exceptional dribbling ability, precise passing, and the rare skill of being able to shoot effectively with both feet. Furthermore, he was highly accurate from dead ball situations and demonstrated an exceptional vision on the field, allowing him to anticipate plays and create opportunities for his teammates. Pelé famously stated that Zizinho was the best player he ever saw, elaborating, "He was a complete player. He played in midfield, in attack, he scored goals, he could mark, head and cross."

Zizinho in 1944, during his time with Flamengo.
Zizinho in 1944, during his time with Flamengo.

4. Managerial Career

After retiring as a player, Zizinho transitioned into football management. He held coaching positions at several clubs, including Bangu in 1960, 1965-1966, and 1980, and CR Vasco da Gama in 1967 and 1972. His most notable managerial role was with the Brazil Olympic football team, which he coached to victory in the 1975 Pan American Games.

5. Achievements and Awards

Zizinho accumulated a significant number of team and individual honors throughout his illustrious career.

5.1. Club Awards

  • Campeonato Carioca**: 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944 (with Flamengo)
  • Campeonato Paulista**: 1957 (with São Paulo FC)

5.2. International Competition Awards

  • FIFA World Cup runner-up**: 1950
  • South American Championship**: 1949
  • Taça do Atlântico**: 1956
  • Roca Cup**: 1945
  • Copa Rio Branco**: 1950
  • Taça Oswaldo Cruz**: 1955, 1956

5.3. Individual Awards and Recognition

  • FIFA World Cup Golden Ball**: 1950
  • FIFA World Cup All-Star Team**: 1950
  • IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century**: 4th place
  • IFFHS South American Player of the 20th Century**: 10th place
  • Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame**
  • Campeonato Carioca Top Scorer**: 1952

5.4. Records

  • Copa América all-time top goalscorer**: 17 goals (shared with Norberto Méndez)

6. Legacy and Evaluation

Zizinho's legacy in football is profound, particularly in Brazil. He is widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats, and his influence extended to future generations of players. Most notably, he was the childhood idol of Pelé, who consistently praised Zizinho as the most complete and talented player he had ever seen. This endorsement from one of football's most iconic figures cemented Zizinho's place in history as a foundational figure in Brazilian football, preceding and inspiring the golden age of the sport in the country. His exceptional skill set and versatile playing style set a high standard for attacking midfielders.

7. Death

Zizinho passed away on February 8, 2002, at the age of 80, in his hometown of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. His death was attributed to a myocardial infarction. His passing marked the end of an era for many who remembered his dazzling performances and his significant impact on the beautiful game.