Jaguaré

Brazil, Spain and Portugal

Jaguaré, who had no formal education, worked as a stevedore at the port of Rio. In his leisure time he enjoyed physical exercise and played football on the grounds of his neighbourhood of Saúde, a quarter close to the port, which is still marked today by the simple accommodations of the local labourers. There he impressed Espanhol, a defender with CR Vasco da Gama, who took him to a training session of his club in 1928. He impressed the other club members and established himself immediately as the new goalkeeper, after he had been told how to write his name so that he could register on match sheets. In 1929, he was part of the team that won the championship of Rio de Janeiro. His most prominent teammates were the elegant midfielder Fausto dos Santos, considered the best of his era in Brasil, and Moacir Siqueira de Queirós Russinho, who were both to play for Brazil at the World Cup of 1930.

Jaguaré was also called up for the national team but, between 1928 and 1929, he played in only three unofficial matches against club teams from Scotland and Argentina. Between June and August 1931, Vasco da Gama, reinforced with several players such as Nilo and Carvalho Leite from Botafogo FC, and also players from Rio, went on a trip to Europe. This was only the second trip to Europe by a Brazilian club, following that of CA Paulistano in 1925. In twelve matches in Portugal and Spain, against teams such as: FC Barcelona, FC Porto, S.L. Benfica and…

Championship of Rio de Janeiro: 1929 Championship of France: 1937 Cup of France: 1938