The biography and player profile of Zizinho, the late football legend

Zizinho, or Maestro Ziza, is one of Brazil's most legendary football players. He enjoyed massive success on the pitch and became an icon for up-and-coming soccer players such as Pelé. This article details the Maestro's legacy and on-and off-field story.

Who is Pelé's idol? Between 1939 and 1962, Thomaz Soares da Silva was a global sensation whose popularity waned after recording a poor performance during the 1950 World Cup. This article explores facts about Zizinho's personal and professional life.

Zizinho's profile summary

Jorginho's net worth, house, cars, contract dating, salary, age, stats

Football

Zizinho's biography

The Brazilian midfielder was born and raised in São Gonçalo, Brazil. Much of his childhood and parentage remains unknown. However, reports suggest that his father was the owner and president of the local Carioca club and his mother a nurse.

He was married to Jane, with whom he had two daughters, Nadia, born on October 8, 1948, and Katia Regina Martins, born on October 14, 1950. Speaking in memory of her father, Katia Regina told ESNP details of her father's favourite pass-times, saying,

“He was a big daddy. He was very attached to his daughters and liked being together. He liked watching football, basketball and Western movies. He liked comic books and writing."

When was Zizinho born?

The Brazilian footballer was born on the fourteenth of September in 1921. At the time of death on February 8, 2002, Zizinho's age was 80 years.

N'Golo Kanté's net worth, house, cars, contract dating, salary, age, stats

Football

What was Zizinho's cause of death?

According to Dario AS, the former Seleção Canarinha football player died from heart complications. He died in the home of one of his daughters, Katia Regina Martins, in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Career

The Brazilian midfielder began his football career at Carioca and in the youth ranks at Byron de Niterói in the early 1930s. After his retirement in 1962, Mestre Ziza took up basketball and later worked as an income tax inspector in Rio de Janeiro.

What team did Zizinho play for?

According to Zizinho's Transfermarkt profile, he played for five teams in Brazil and Italy throughout his career. Have a look at all his teams and the time spent at each club.

Mateo Kovačić's net worth, house, cars, contract, dating, salary, age, stats

Football

Zizinho's stats

Described as a playmaker, Maestro Ziza was known for his dribbling, passing, sprints, dead balls, ball command and scoring skills. Here is a historical analysis of his performance statistics based on data from various sources, including the Imortais do Futebol and Flamengo Alternativo across all the teams.

Awards

• 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944 Carioca Championship
• 1957 Paulista Championship
• 1949 Copa América
• 1950 World Cup Golden Ball
• 1950 World Cup Ideal Team
• 1952 Carioca Championship Top Scorer
• IFFHS Brazilian Player of the Century
• IFFHS South American Player of the 20th Century

Quick facts

Zizinho is remembered as one of the best Brazilian soccer players of all time, even surpassing Pelé in his prime. Describing his performance, the Gazzetta dello Sport referred to his technique as a work of art with the ability to use his feet on the canvas of the Maracana pitch. Here are some facts about his career and influence on Brazilian football.

Kaka's net worth, achievements, house, cars, religion, what is he doing now?

Football

1. What happened between Zizinho and Pelé?

According to the Guardian, a fallout between Zizinho and the football administration after his sale from Flamengo in the same year cost him his second trip to the 1954 World Cup. In his absence, Pelé debuted and led Brazil to its first World Cup win.

Later, the world would witness the Maestro's influence on O Rei, the king of football. In an interview with Sambafoot, Pelé spoke about his idol Zizinho, saying,

“He was the player I admired most. He was fabulous and everything about his game, from passing, shooting or positioning, was spectacular. He was the complete player. He could play in midfield or upfront and score. He was good on the ground and in the air and could dribble better than anyone.”

2. How many World Cups has Zizinho been in?

The Maracanazo tragedy occurred during Mestre's first and only World Cup appearance. He was on the bench for two matches and played in four Group 1 and Group A matches against Yugoslavia, Sweden and Spain. During the ill-fated 1950 Brazil vs Uruguay World Cup match, the Seleção Canarinha lost by two goals in the second half in front of nearly 200,000 fans.

The Karim Benzema story: From being banned from the France national team to winning the Ballon d'Or

Football

3. Is there a Zizinho FIFA card?

The 1950 Tinghalls set is considered the most iconic FIFA World Cup soccer card set. It consists of Zizinho, Ademir de Menezes, Juan Schiaffino, and Alcides Ghiggia cards.

Final word

The high regard celebrated legends such as Pelé have for Zizinho paints a picture of an unsung hero. His life story inspires up-and-coming football players.

READ ALSO: The player profile of Reda Slim, the skilful Moroccan forward

Sports Brief has published an article about one of the best Moroccan football players, Reda Slim, who plays for Al Ahly SC in the Egyptian Premier League. The article covers the football star's biography, statistics, achievements and more. Click on the link above to view his complete player profile.