Francisco Aramburu

Who was Francisco Aramburu?

Francisco Aramburu, or Chico was a Brazilian footballer who played striker.

Chico, commonly short for Francisco, commenced playing football in 1939 aged 17 in his hometown with EC Ferro Carril. A year later he moved to the state capital Porto Alegre where he was given the opportunity to display his skills in the colours of Grêmio. Just another year later in 1942 he followed an offer from CR Vasco da Gama in the then national capital Rio de Janeiro. the club with the Maltese cross in its crest then was the number five in town after Fluminense, Botafogo, Flamengo America-RJ.

The Urugayan coach Ondino Viera, who before had won championships with Nacional in Montevideo, CA River Plate in Buenos Aires joined Vasco at the same time. He not only re-introduced the since then typical kit with the diagonal strip but also a number of tactical innovations. The former boxer Mário Américo, who should later acquire later worldwide fame as the physiotherapist of the Brazilian national team across seven World Cups from 1950 to 1974, was another new addition to the club.

By 1945 Viera had succeeded in establishing a competitive side and led the Vasco to the sixth state championship – undefeated. The Expresso da Vitrória, the "Victory Express", as which the team should be known from 1945 to 1952 benefited in particular from its strong attack with Ademir de Menezes, top scorer Lelé, Isaías, Jair da Rosa Pinto und Chico on the left wing. Chico by then Chico was already renowned as an athletic, fast, both-footed dribbler with a sharp shot and was soon considered for the national team.