Friday, October 03, 2014

ESPN 30 for 30 Soccer Stories - The Myth of Garrincha

Running on the treadmill, I watched The Myth of Garrinca. This is one of the 30 for 30 soccer stories that ESPN was running leading up to the 2014 World Cup. An episode guide is here.


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.

The success Garrincha enjoyed on the football pitch was in stark contrast to his personal life. He drank heavily throughout his adult life. After a series of financial and marital problems, Garrincha died of cirrhosis of the liver in an alcoholic coma in Rio de Janeiro.

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