Zito (footballer, born 1932)

Zito (18 August 1932 - 14 June 2015) was a former Brazilian football player. He has played for Brazil national team. He was a highly intelligent player, known for his leadership, tackling, passing, dribbling, his ability to win back possesion and his distribution. A strong, commanding and influential midfielder, known for his leadership, Zito usually played in a supporting role as a wing-half or half-back, serving as a defensive foil to his more offensive minded teammates. Considered as one of the greatest midfielders in the world in his prime, he was regarded to be one of the biggest idols of Santos FC, the club he represented for years. His club career was spent mostly in the service of Santos, captaining a side including Pele to domestic and international successes. He was also part of the Brazilian squads which won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962. After his retirement as a player, Zito remained at Santos as a director and youth coordinator, developing several young future international players.
Early life
Born in Roseira, Sao Paulo, Zito initially intended to become a schoolteacher, and attended technical schools in his hometown, before pursuing a career as a footballer.
Club career
Zito joined Santos in 1952, after finishing his formation at hometown amateur club Roseira FC, and spending two years at Taubate. He made his debut for Peixe on 29 June 1952 in a 3-1 friendly win against Madureira.
Zito appeared regularly for Santos in the following 15 years, playing 727 games and scoring 57 goals. He was the captain of the Os Santasticos team of the late 1950s and 1960s, playing alongside Pele, Pepe and other Brazilian stars.
Zito was nicknamed Gerente (manager in Portuguese) by the media during his playing days, due to helping the manager Lula while outfields. Despite missing the two last games of 1963 Intercontinental Cup due to an injury, he acted as Lula's assistant during both matches as his team won the second title in a row.
Zito played his last match on 7 November 1967, a 5-0 win against a mix between Ferroviario and Fortaleza at the Estadio Presidente Vargas.
International career
At international level, he earned 52 caps and scored 3 goals for Brazil. Zito made his for the national team in 1955. He was selected to play for Copa America in 1956, Brazil had an unsuccessful tournament and finished fourth. In 1957 he was selected again for the Copa America where Brazil finished as runners-up where he showed his great style of play, he was reowned as a playmaker and a incredible passer and a good dribbler. He partnered Didi in midfield duo, and was part of the squad which won the 1958 FIFA World Cup Final against hosts Sweden; after starting the tournament as a reserve, he finished it as an undisputed starter. In 1959 edition of Copa America Zito was called up, Brazil ended up as runners-up again and they were undefeated. In the 1962 edition in Chile, he was named in the Team of the Tournament. In the 1962 FIFA World Cup Final, Zito headed Brazil into the lead as they came from behind to win 3-1 against Czechoslovakia with Pele absent through injury. Zito was called up to play during 1966 FIFA World Cup but he was unable to play and Brazil were eliminated after a 2-0 victory against Bulgaria and 3-1 defeat against Hungary and Portugal, Zito never played for Brazil again after the elimination.
Life after football
After retiring Zito was a vice-president at Santos between 1978 and 1982. After one year away from the club, he was named director of football by president Milton Teixeira, but left the post in 1987. In 2000, he was named a youth coordinate, helping the club to promote youngsters Robinho and Diego to the first team.
Zito was credited with bringing 11-year-old Neymar to the club in 2003. With Gabriel, he was also the scout who saw the player and brought him to the club's youth system.
Death
Zito suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had memory lapses. Following a stroke the year before, Zito died on 14 June 2015 aged 82 in Santos, Sao Paulo, leaving Pele, Pepe and Zagallo as the last three living Brazilian veterans of the 1958 World Cup final.
In his honour, Santos decided to use the "Z" letter in the captain's armband (instead of the regular "C" used by most teams) from 2015 onwards.