This Friday (August 9), the three-time world champion defender Brito celebrates his 85th birthday. At 30 years old, he partnered with Piazza on the team led by Zagallo that conquered the world in Mexico. The two combined distinct factors that together formed the pillar of one of the greatest teams of all time. Piazza was famous for his technique, while Brito was known for his physical presence.
At the Mexico World Cup, the World Health Organization (WHO) tested all the athletes, and the defender, born in 1939 in Rio de Janeiro, was deemed the most physically prepared. Coincidentally, his name is Hercules, a hero from Greek mythology known for his strength—Brito is his surname.
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In the 1970 World Cup, he was a starter in all six matches without being substituted. However, the World Cup was not the first of his career, as he had been called up for the 1966 edition in England. He built his career with the Amarelinha from 1964 to 1972, playing 61 matches, with 45 wins, 11 draws, and five losses, winning the Rocca Cup (1971) and the Independence Cup (1972).
Revealed by Vasco, the defender joined the youth ranks of the Cruzmaltino in 1955 and established himself in the professional team after the retirement of Bellini, the first captain to win the World Cup with the Brazilian National Team in 1958. He played over 400 matches for the Gigante da Colina between 1959 and 1969.
After his time at Vasco, he transferred to Flamengo, the club for which he was called up for the 1970 World Cup. He was then loaned to Cruzeiro in 1970 and permanently signed by Botafogo in 1971, playing at General Severiano until 1973. He joined Corinthians the following year and retired in 1979 after stints with Athletico-PR, Democrata-MG, and River-PI.
