Garrincha

Who was Garrincha?

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, known by the nickname "Garrincha", was a Brazilian footballer who played right winger and forward. He is regarded by many as the best dribbler in football history.

The word garrincha itself means wren. Garrincha was also known as Mané by his friends. The combined "Mané Garrincha" is common among fans in Brazil. Due to his immense popularity in Brazil, he was also called Alegria do Povo and Anjo de Pernas Tortas.

In 1958 and 1962, Garrincha won the FIFA World Cup with the Brazil national team. At the 1962 World Cup, with Pelé out injured, he led the team to victory, received the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, the Golden Boot as leading goalscorer, and was named in the World Cup All-Star Team. In 1994 he was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé.

At club level, Garrincha played the majority of his professional career for the Brazilian team Botafogo. In the Maracanã the home team room is known as "Garrincha". In the capital Brasilia, the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha is named after him.