This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
Though he’s more commonly known by the nickname “Garrincha,” meaning wren (a type of bird), Manoel 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 Oustanding Player of the tournament. Still regarded as one of the best dribblers ever, Garrincha wore this Brazil National Team jersey during a June 6, 1965, friendly against West Germany in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil won the match, 2-0, thanks to a goal this time by his teammate Pelé.
The yellow jersey has the blue Brazilian National Team crest (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) on the left chest, while the back has Garrincha’s famed No. “7” sewn on in green tackle twill. The collar and sleeve openings are trimmed in green, and both are key in matching this style to game photos. As you can see from the images provided – one of which appears to be this very game against West Germany – Brazil wore this unique style for a period in the mid-1960’s, with its lengthy sleeve ends and low-cut V-shaped popped collar. Inside the collar is the appropriate “ATHLETA” manufacturer’s label (text in Portuguese). The jersey shows moderate wear with obvious stretching and heavy puckering and fraying on the back number.
An incredibly scarce gamer from one of Brazil’s early soccer superstars (who passed away in 1983 at age 50), the jersey comes with a letter of provenance from Garrincha’s daughter.