Genius Leônidas da Silva would have turned 101 years old
Diamante Negro is one of the biggest names in Brazilian football and a pioneer in sports marketing.
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
Domingos da Guia saw only one difference between Leônidas da Silva (1913-2004) and Pelé: age. While the latter played in the Television Era, the Flamengo player's brilliance was never captured on video, but this didn't stop the star from leaving his mark on the history of Flamengo and the Brazilian national team. At Gávea, the center forward played from 1936 to 1941, achieving impressive feats. He holds the highest goal average in the club's history: 1,02 per game. In total, he scored 153 goals in 149 matches. Zico, Flamengo's top scorer in absolute terms, averages 0,69 per game. With such a keen eye for goal, it's no surprise that he boasts a collection of championship goalscorers. In 1938, while playing for Flamengo, he was the top scorer in the World Cup. With the Manto Sagrado, he was the team's top scorer for four consecutive seasons (1937 to 1940) and won the top scorer award in three competitions: the 1938 Carioca Championship (16 goals) and 1940 (30 goals), and the 1940 Rio-São Paulo Tournament (13 goals). Today, he is the sixth highest scorer in the history of Mais Querido, tied with former left winger Jarbas.
A national idol, Leônidas was more than just an outstanding athlete; he was the first athlete in Brazilian soccer history to use marketing and the press to promote his image. In the late 1930s, he was the poster boy for Diamante Negro chocolate, created in honor of the star player, who already had the nickname that gave the sweet its name. In addition to advertising, Leônidas was the first former player to become a radio sports commentator in the country.
His pioneering spirit wasn't limited to off the field. In 1938, in France, the Black Diamond became the first player to score a bicycle kick goal in a World Cup, in an unusual move: the beautiful play was disallowed because the referee was unaware of the move and deemed it illegal. Many consider Leônidas the inventor of the bicycle kick, but he himself admitted that he had only popularized the plastic move that enlivened street football.
With Flamengo, in addition to the 1940 Rio-São Paulo Tournament, the Black Diamond won the 1939 Rio de Janeiro State Championship, a year after playing in the World Cup for the national team. His participation in these competitions is considered fundamental to the greatness of the Flamengo fan base. His popularity during the beginning of radio broadcasts in the 30s spread the passion for Flamengo throughout the country, and it remains Brazil's Most Beloved Club to this day.
Check out the special articles on the Centenary of Leônidas da Silva, in 2013
Centenary of the star player Leônidas da Silva
Leonidas da Silva: a pioneering man
A national idol, Leônidas was more than just an outstanding athlete; he was the first athlete in Brazilian soccer history to use marketing and the press to promote his image. In the late 1930s, he was the poster boy for Diamante Negro chocolate, created in honor of the star player, who already had the nickname that gave the sweet its name. In addition to advertising, Leônidas was the first former player to become a radio sports commentator in the country.
His pioneering spirit wasn't limited to off the field. In 1938, in France, the Black Diamond became the first player to score a bicycle kick goal in a World Cup, in an unusual move: the beautiful play was disallowed because the referee was unaware of the move and deemed it illegal. Many consider Leônidas the inventor of the bicycle kick, but he himself admitted that he had only popularized the plastic move that enlivened street football.
With Flamengo, in addition to the 1940 Rio-São Paulo Tournament, the Black Diamond won the 1939 Rio de Janeiro State Championship, a year after playing in the World Cup for the national team. His participation in these competitions is considered fundamental to the greatness of the Flamengo fan base. His popularity during the beginning of radio broadcasts in the 30s spread the passion for Flamengo throughout the country, and it remains Brazil's Most Beloved Club to this day.
Check out the special articles on the Centenary of Leônidas da Silva, in 2013
Centenary of the star player Leônidas da Silva
Leonidas da Silva: a pioneering man