José Ribamar de Oliveira

Who was José Ribamar de Oliveira?

José Ribamar de Oliveira, best known as Canhoteiro was a Brazilian footballer, who played most notably for São Paulo FC. Canhoteiro means essentially "left footed."

Canhoteiro was one of Brazil's greatest dribblers and played during a time of exceptional talent in that country. He had epic games against Pelé of Santos FC, one in particular in 1958, played under heavy rain at Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo - the game ended tied at two goals each, with Pelé and Canhoteiro scoring both goals for each of their clubs. Canhoteiro, died pennyless and an alcoholic, the fate of many a footballer in the early years of the game.

One of his nicknames was "the Garrincha of the left"