adminSAO PAULO. — Brazilian footballer Zito, a two-time World Cup winner in 1958 and 1962, has died at the age of 82, his former club Santos announced yesterday.
Zito died at his home in the Sao Paulo suburb of Santos on Sunday, the club said, without giving the cause of his death.
The former midfielder was part of Brazil’s World Cup-winning squads in Sweden in 1958 and Chile in 1962, playing alongside icon Pele on both occasions, and even scoring a goal in the 3-1 final victory over Czechoslovakia in the latter tournament.
Zito spent 15 years of his playing career with Santos, winning the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963.
He later went on to join the back-room staff and was behind the recruitment of such stars as Robinho in 1996 and Neymar in 2003.
“I have no words to describe that guy, I simply thank him for all he did for me, for having believed in me and helped me at the start of my career,” Barcelona striker Neymar wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of the two together.
“Rest in peace, he did so much for us here….Thank you ZITO!”. — AFP.
Online Reporter