Last updated on July 14th, 2023 at 04:48 pm
Nicknamed Mané Garrincha, Manuel Francisco dos Santos was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger and is best known simply as Garrincha. Some regard him as one of the greatest players of all time and the greatest dribbler ever. Garrincha played a vital role in Brazil’s 1958 World Cup victory and Brazil’s 1962 World Cup victory.
Garrincha led Brazil to a World Cup victory in 1962 with a dominating performance throughout the tournament when Pelé got injured. He became the first player to win the Golden Ball (Player of the tournament), Golden Boot (Leading Goalscorer), and the World Cup in the same tournament. He was named to the World Cup All-Star Teams in both 1958 and 1962.
In 1994, FIFA named him to the World Cup All-Time Team. Brazil never lost a match when both Garrincha and Pelé were on the field. He came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote in 1999. He was inducted into the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame as a member of the World Team of the 20th Century. He was called Alegria do Povo (People’s Joy) and Anjo de Pernas Tortas due to his immense popularity in Brazil.
Early Life:-
In 1933, Garrincha was born in Pau Grande, a district of Magé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He was born with his right leg 6 centimeters shorter than his left, and his left leg turned outwards while his right turned inwards. One doctor certified him as crippled as a child.
He would inherit his father’s drinking problem, as the latter was an alcoholic who drank cachaça heavily. Smaller than other kids his age and with a carefree attitude, his sister Rosa started calling him Garrincha, the northeastern name for the wren, a little brown bird. He was known as Garrincha to his family and friends by the age of four years old. Mané (short for Manuel) was also known as Garrincha by his friends. Fans in Brazil commonly combine Mané Garrincha.
Despite his immense talent, Garrincha was not known amongst footballing scouts and did not arrive in professional football until his late teens. He had no interest in a professional career. In 1959, Garrincha’s younger brother, Jimmy dos Santos, played 20 games for Série A side CR Vasco da Gama.
| Name | Garrincha |
| Full Name | Manuel Francisco dos Santos |
| Date of Birth | 28 October 1933 |
| Birth Place | Magé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Death | 20 January 1983 |
| Death Place | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Height | 1.69 m |
| Position | Right winger |
| Occupation | Soccer Player |
Here we have some FAQs about Iker Garrincha:
1. What is Garrincha’s date of birth?
Garrincha’s date of birth is 28 October 1933.
2. What is Garrincha’s place of birth?
Garrincha’s place of birth is Magé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
3. What is Garrincha’s height?
Garrincha’s height is 1.69 m.
4. What is the full name of Garrincha?
The full name of Garrincha is Manuel Francisco dos Santos.
5. What are some unique achievements of Garrincha in his football career?
Some unique achievements of Garrincha in his football career are In 1994, FIFA named him to the World Cup All-Time Team. Brazil never lost a match when both Garrincha and Pelé were on the field. He came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote in 1999.
