CBF mourns Ziraldo’s death cites 1987 World Cup mascots – 04/06/2024 – Sports

The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) paid tribute to Ziraldo on its official channels and said in a statement that football has lost a great lover. Creator of “O Menino Maluquinho” and author of the mascots of the clubs that competed in the Brazilian Championship in 1987, he died at the age of 91 this Saturday (6) as a result of multiple organ failure, at his home in Rio de Janeiro.

“I regret the death of Ziraldo, a complete artist. His books and characters marked the lives of generations of Brazilians. I send my condolences to the family and fans of this great Brazilian”, said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the CBF.

“Football loses a great lover. He also portrayed the joy of football with great beauty,” he added.

The tribute celebrated Ziraldo’s connection with sport and recalled that the artist closely followed the Brazilian team, having watched Brazil’s defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final at Maracanã.

In the 1960s, Ziraldo worked at Jornal dos Sports and in 1987 he was hired by Clube dos 13, which organized the Brazilian Championship that year. On that occasion, the cartoonist, who supports Flamengo, had the mission of designing the mascots of the 16 clubs involved in the competition, also known as the Copa União.

“A notorious red-black, Ziraldo gave us the privilege of tracing our history. In 2012, he was the illustration that represented Flamengo’s centenary of football. He called himself ‘the oldest active red-black’. From Caratinga, in Minas Gerais, for the world. Ziraldo won us all over with affection and good humor. And the red-and-black passion was always together. His best-known character, Menino Maluquinho, was Flamengo. It was Ziraldo himself who said it”, published Flamengo, the cartoonist’s favorite team.

Corinthians was one of the first clubs to honor Ziraldo. “Today, Brazil says goodbye to an icon of literature and illustration. He left us this Saturday (6), Ziraldo, cartoonist, draftsman, journalist and writer. In his works, some works involved football and our Timão. Corinthians expresses solidarity with friends, family and all the artist’s fans. Eternally within our hearts”, wrote the team.

São Paulo, Palmeiras and Atlético-MG also published messages in recognition of the cartoonist’s legacy. “São Paulo mourns the passing of the great artist Ziraldo. In 1989, Ziraldo created this version of our mascot, Santo Paulo. We wish strength to his family and friends at this time, with the certainty that his art will forever be in Brazilian history” , published São Paulo on its official profile.

“Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras mourns the death of the designer and writer Ziraldo, at the age of 91. Creator of iconic characters, including Menino Maluquinho, Ziraldo launched the illustrated book “Verdão, o Campeão do Século” in 2010. We wish strength to the family, friends and fans in this moment of pain and longing”, wrote Palmeiras.

“O Galo mourns the death of cartoonist and writer Ziraldo, this Saturday (6), at the age of 91. The Caratinga miner was known for his great works, such as “Menino Maluquinho”, for his cartoons and for the creation of O Pasquim Our sincere condolences to all Ziraldo’s friends, family and fans at this time of mourning”, says the Atlético-MG publication.

“Cruzeiro regrets the passing of Ziraldo, great cartoonist and creator of Menino Maluquinho. Born in Caratinga, his works were part of the education of children and young people across the country. The cartoonist and writer was also passionate about football and in 1987 he drew the team mascots, among them, our Fox. His legacy is eternal! Rest in peace”, said Cruzeiro.

“With great regret, the Squad mourns the departure of the brilliant @ziraldooficial, today, at the age of 91. The cartoonist and writer was the author of the design of Bahia’s Superman Mascot in 1989. Our solidarity with family and friends of the eternal creator of ‘Crazy Boy'”, published Sport Clube Bahia.