Idol of Corinthians, Atlético-MG and Cruzeiro, Palhinha dies at 73

The week started sadder for the fans of Corinthians, cruise It is Atlético-MG and football nostalgia. On Monday, the death of the former striker was confirmed. Straw, aged 73, in Belo Horizonte. Vanderlei Eustáquio de Oliveira, a great scorer and who helped the São Paulo team end the 22-year lack of titles, could not resist an infection – he was admitted to a hospital in the capital of Minas Gerais.

The striker arrived at Parque São Jorge precisely in 1977 with a high investment and with huge expectations from the club for the end of the lack of titles that lasted almost 22 years. An idol at Cruzeiro, where he made history, Palhinha contributed a lot in his four years at Corinthians, especially when he partnered with Sócrates.

In the first game of the Paulistão final against Ponte Preta, it was the center forward who defined the triumph by 1 to 0. He would still score in both matches against the same team from Campinas in the 1979 State decision. in 1980, in which he partnered with Reinaldo, being Corinthians’ top scorer with 44 goals in 148 games. After retirement, he still coached Corinthians in 1989.

“Atlético-MG regrets the death of Palhinha, a former player and idol of the club, who left us this morning, aged 73. Palhinha was one of the great athletes of Brazilian football. At Galo, he was one of the stars of that historic team beginning of the 1980s, winning the Campeonato Mineiro in 1980 and 1981, in addition to having reached the final of the Brazilian Championship in the 1980s”, lamented Atlético.

After standing out at Cruzeiro with decisive goals in the final of the State against rival Atlético-MG, even fighting for the position with Tostão and Dirceu Lopes, other great celestial idols, Palhinha became the most expensive signing in the history of the Country at the time when he was bought for a million dollars.

The striker is currently Cruzeiro’s seventh highest scorer, with 156 goals in 457 matches, owner of seven state titles and hero in winning the Libertadores in 1976, being the team’s top scorer in the competition. At Atlético-MG there were only 77 matches, but two state games and 27 goals scored.

“Rest in peace, Palhinha! My first coach at Corinthians. He will be missed. Good guy and a great star”, wrote midfielder Neto, also a Corinthians idol. América-MG and administrators of Mineirão, where the striker scored 113 goals, also paid a final tribute to the player.

“América Futebol Clube regrets the death of Palhinha, who died this Monday morning in Belo Horizonte. Palhinha was part of our squad in 1985.

Our solidarity with the family and fans in this difficult time”, paid tribute to the club.

“Palhinha made his name in the history of football in Minas Gerais, with memorable passages through Cruzeiro and Atlético. He is one of the great scorers in the history of Mineirão, with 113 goals. His feet are immortalized on the Walk of Fame of the stadium. Rest in peace, star” , posted the page of the largest stadium in Minas Gerais.