Though he’s more commonly known by the nickname, “Garrincha,” meaning wren (a type of bird), Manoel Francisco dos Santos was adoringly called “The People’s Joy” by his fans. The right winger and forward played professionally from 1953 to 1972 and was a fixture on Brazil’s National Team for over a decade from 1955 to 1966. He helped Brazil win its first two World Cups in 1958 and '62, the latter of which he put the team on his shoulders without an injured Pele and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. He is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all-time, not just among Brazilians, and some have called Garrincha the best dribbler ever.
Presented here is the legendary Garrincha's personal 1958 World Cup trophy. Along with a then 18-year-old Pele, the '58 tournament also marked the World Cup debut of Garrincha (at age 25). In the final against Sweden, with his team down 1-0 early, the dribbling sensation assisted on two beautiful goals to lead Brazil to a 2-1 victory and the world title. The well-aged player trophy, standing 4-1/2" tall and weighing 1.7 ounces, features a small stamped crest affixed to the base that reads, "Vi Copa Do Mundo Brasil Campeao Juhno 1958." All of the 1958 Brazil National Team World Champion players' names are listed on the reverse.
A larger version of the Jules Rimet Trophy, which stood as the official World Cup trophy from 1930 to 1970 honoring the former FIFA president from France, was presented to the winning team. French sculptor Abel Lafleur's original 1930 design featured a statuette of Nike, Greek goddess of victory, holding a decagonal cup overhead. We cannot say for certain that this is the only player trophy issued to Garrincha (there may have been one or a few more made for his immediate family members), but it very well could be as these were only intended to be presented to members of the 1958 Brazil National Football team.
Includes a letter of provenance from the sister of former Brazilian football player Afonso Celso Garcia Reis (better known as "Afonsinho").