Remembering Léônidas da Silva, the Brazilian football legend

Brazilian football player Léônidas da Silva has achieved mythical status and a solid reputation for his achievements. His brainchild, the bicycle kick, is one of the most acrobatic moves in soccer. Dig in here for a deep dive into the life of Brazil's Rubber Man.

What is the name of the football player who scored a goal barefoot? Léônidas da Silva is known and celebrated for his legendary technique, agility and skill. This article dives into the details of his personal and professional life.

Léônidas da Silva's profile summary

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Léônidas da Silva's biography

Léônidas was born and raised in a humble background in the State of Rio de Janeiro in São Cristóvão, Brazil. Little information exists on his parents.

While some sources suggest that his parents were Manoel Nunes and Maria da Silva, others name only his father, Mário Pinto de Sá. According to Imortais do Futebol, his parents were unaccepting of his preoccupation with football, preferring that he study law or medicine.

Although he was regarded as Brazil's first international football star, details of Léônidas da Silva's family remain unknown. Upon his demise, da Silva's third wife left behind a widow, Albertina Pereira dos Santos. Albertina’s efforts to preserve his legacy inspired the FIFA Museum to dedicate a place to the Rubber Man. In an interview, she said,

“I had thought of making a memorial here in the apartment, a sort of ‘Léônidas house’. But I never found anyone to provide the funds.”

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In what year was Léônidas born?

The King of the Bicycle Kick in football was born on the sixth of September 1913. His zodiac sign was Virgo. At the time of his death on January 1, 2004, he was 90 years old.

Career

Da Silva cut short his schooling at 14 to pursue his football career. In one of his quotes, he expressed his desire to play and win, saying,

“Even if I did not always play well, I never settled for defeat."

When did Léônidas da Silva start playing?

In 1929, he played for São Cristóvão, a club in his hometown. Before starting his professional career in 1930, the legendary football player began his career in Sírio Libanês, Sul-America, Barroso, and Havanesa. Based on data published by Transfermarkt, here is a summary of teams where Léônidas played and the dates he joined.

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When did Léônidas da Silva play for the national team?

The Man of Borracha played in 37 international matches for Brazil's national football team, scoring an average of 1 goal per match. In his prime, da Silva was the top goal scorer in Brazil's Seleção Canarinha.

Léônidas da Silva represented Brazil during two World Cup tournaments in 1934 and 1938. According to various reports, he was the first Brazillian football player to score during a World Cup tournament.

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During his first World Cup appearance in Genova, Italy, Léônidas da Silva scored one goal for the national team against Spain's three shots in Round 16. In 1938, he scored seven goals against Poland, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. During the tournament's third-place play-offs, he scored the team's second and third goals, one of which was shot barefoot past Sweden's goalkeeper Henock Abrahamsson.

Léônidas da Silva's career stats

Léônidas da Silva's stats have yet to be revealed to the public. According to his Leicester City FC profile, he appeared in 541 matches for São Paulo Futebol Clube and scored 484 goals. However, Terceiro Tempo reports that he scored 142 shots in 210 games for the club, recording 136 wins, 38 losses and 36 draws.

At Flamengo, the global top scorer shot 150 goals in 179 matches. His win-loss record stands at 113 wins, 30 draws and 36 losses.

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Awards

• 1945 Roca Cup
• 1943, 1945, 1946, 1948 Rio-São Paulo State Champions Cup
• 1943, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949 Campeonato Paulista
• 1938 FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament
• 1938 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
• 1938 FIFA World Cup top scorer
• 1938 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
• 1934, 1935, 1939 Carioca Championship
• 1932 Rio Branco Cup
• 1931, 1938, 1940, 1942 Brazilian State Team Championship

Quick trivia

One fun fact about the Brazilian footballer is that he was known as the Black Diamond. The nickname inspired some of his business endeavours, such as the Lacta factory's chocolate brand. Here are more interesting elements of his life.

1. What is Léônidas da Silva remembered for?

Léônidas da Silva's bicycle kick during the 1932 Campeonato Carioca and the Copa Rio Blanco tournaments. Although he did not invent the move, Da Silva's agility and expert ability to jump off 1.5 metres above the ground and kick the ball midair pushed its popularity to global levels.

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2. Who discovered Léônidas da Silva?

According to SciELO, his coach at Sírio Libanês played a role in his growth in the sport. Gentil Cardoso introduced the amateur player to Bonsucesso, where his talent blossomed for three years before joining CA Peñarol.

Final word

Léônidas da Silva is remembered as one of the first footballers to succeed during racial inequality. His story inspires many inside and outside the game.

READ ALSO: Who is the youngest player to win a World Cup? A top 10 list

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