Garrincha: Remembering the Brazilian football legend on his 93rd birthday

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, known as Garrincha, would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on October 28, 2026. A legendary figure in Brazilian football, he was a key player in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories.

Known as ‘the Angel with Bent Legs,’ Garrincha was a standout performer for Botafogo and the Brazilian national team, celebrated for his unique dribbling skills and ability to overcome defenders. Despite his immense sporting success, his post-retirement years were marked by struggles with alcoholism and health issues.

His final appearance on a football pitch took place in December 1982 in Planaltina, a satellite city of the Federal District, during a friendly match. He passed away less than a month later in a Rio de Janeiro hospital at the age of 49.