Zizinho

For the 1980s footballer also known as Zizinho, see Gerardo dos Santos.

Zizinho

Personal information
Full name	Thomaz Soares da Silva
Date of birth	(1921-09-14)September 14, 1921
Place of birth	Niterói, Brazil
Date of death
Height
Position(s)	Attacking Midfielder, Inside forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1939–1950	Flamengo
1951–1957	Bangu
1957–1959	São Paulo
1959–1960	Uberaba
1961–1962	Audax Italiano
International career
1942–1957	Brazil	53	(30)
Managerial career
1960	Bangu
1965-1966	Bangu
1967	Vasco da Gama
1972	Vasco da Gama
1980	Bangu
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomaz Soares da Silva, also known as Zizinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ziˈzĩɲu]; born October 14, 1921 – died February 8, 2002), was a Brazilian football player, who played as an attacking midfielder or Inside forward for Brazil's national team. He came to international prominence at the 1950 World Cup, where he 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.

Career

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 turned down last minute invitations by the CBF to join first the 1954 world cup squad and then the 1958 squad, citing on both occasions that it would be unfair on the player being dropped at the last minute 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."

Playing honours

Club

• Campeonato Carioca: 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944

International

• Taça do Atlântico: 1956
• South American Championship Runner-up: 1945, 1946, 1953, 1957
• FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 1950

Individual

• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1950
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1958
• 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

External links

• Zizinho – FIFA competition record
• Profile at cbf.com.br