Baltazar

Born in Goiânia, Goiás, Baltazar started playing with hometown club Atlético Goianiense. He signed for Grêmio in 1979, going on to score in double digits during his entire four-season spell a recording a best of 14 in 1980 while being an instrumental attacking unit in the team's back-to-back Gauchão conquests; in the 1981's Série A final against São Paulo, after missing a penalty kick in the first leg (2–1 home win), he scored the only goal in the second match for a first-ever national championship conquest. In the following four years, Baltazar played for Palmeiras (two spells), Flamengo and Botafogo, netting 13 times for the second side in another Brazilian championship conquest. He had his first abroad experience aged 26, being relegated from the Spanish La Liga with RC Celta de Vigo. In 1986–87, Baltazar propelled the Galicians back into the top level by scoring a career-best 34 goals, also a best-ever in the second division. In a game in December, he accidentally collided with CD Málaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo who died days later from a cerebral haemorrhage; he mourned the death which some had blamed him for. Baltazar only found the net on six occasions in the following season, but the club retained its league status. He subsequently stayed in the country and joined Atlético Madrid, scoring 35 goals in 36 contests in his first season – his second Pichichi in three years – and adding 18 in the following; however, after the emergence of younger Manolo, the…

Baltazar played for Brazil at the 1989 Copa América which was held on home soil, appearing in three group stage matches for the eventual winners (including the 0–0 against Colombia as a starter). However, during nearly one full decade, he only earned a total of six caps and scored two goals.

Club

International

Baltazar played for União Monte Alegre, Jabaquara, Corinthians, Juventus and União Paulista.

Baltazar also represented the Brazil national team, including at the 1950 World Cup and 1954 World Cup. He played four matches, scoring three goals, two against Mexico and one against Switzerland. He is the only player to score in two different opening world cup matches, netting one goal in 1950 and the other in 1954. He died in São Paulo aged 71.

Grêmio

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1981 Campeonato Gaúcho: 1979, 1980 Flamengo

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1983 Porto

Taça de Portugal: 1990–91 Goiás

Campeonato Goiano: 1994 Brazil

Copa América: 1989 Individual

Campeonato Goiano top scorer: 1978, 1994 Campeonato Gaúcho top scorer: 1980, 1981 Campeonato Carioca top scorer: 1984 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B top scorer: 1994 Pichichi Trophy: 1986–87 (Segunda División), 1988–89 La Liga Team of The Year: 1989

Corinthans

Torneio Rio–São Paulo: 1950, 1953, 1954 Campeonato Paulista: 1951, 1952, 1954 Brazil

Panamerican Championship: 1952 Copa América Runner-up: 1953 FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1950 Individual

Campeonato Paulista Team of the Tournament: 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951