Thomaz Soares da Silva, known as Zizinho (1921-2002), would have turned 93 this Sunday (September 14.09). Born in São Gonçalo, the right midfielder was a childhood idol of Pelé and the entire Red-Black Nation. An athlete of rare intelligence, both on and off the field, he was considered the best Brazilian player of the 1940s and a classic example of the maxim "Flamengo makes a star at home." His daughter, Nádia Naira da Silva, shares one of her favorite memories with her father, whom she considered a great friend.

"I remember a million stories about my father. My relationship with him was always wonderful. He was more than a father; he always treated me like a friend. Dad was a person who truly cared about the sport and knew a lot about football. He passed on many good things to me, above all, moral values. Despite his limited education, he was very intelligent and read a lot. Of all the moments, perhaps the one that stands out most is our visit to Gávea, a year before his death. That visit showed me how much he loved Flamengo. It was a beautiful, truly beautiful moment. I'm incredibly pleased to have provided that moment for him, and he was deeply moved, remembering every corner of the club. He went with me for work, and it ended up becoming one of the most beautiful memories I have of him."

His career began in 1939 at Rubro-Negro, where he stayed until 1950. In 11 years wearing the Sacred Mantle, Zizinho scored 145 goals in 318 games and won Flamengo's first Carioca Championship (1942/1943/1944), being the main player of that team.

This was also the club's first major achievement in football, which, with the star's significant help, became Brazil's Most Beloved. Exuding passion and skill on the pitch, he anticipated plays and understood the dynamics of football like few others. For this reason, he became revered as Mestre Ziza. According to Nelson Rodrigues, "all it took was the Maracanã loudspeakers announcing Zizinho's name to know who the match would be.