International Football
Pele’s Dead World Cup Teammate’s Bones Disappear from Grave
The remains of Garrincha, a dead teammate of Pele in the 1958 and 1962 World Cup, have mysteriously disappeared from the grave where the body was supposed to have been buried a second time. Sports Village Square gathered that the player who died in 1983, aged 49 may have been lost in an exhumation done about 10 years ago when another family member was to be buried at the same site.
The dead player’s cousin, Joao Rogoginsky reportedly told the popular Brazilian media network, O Globo that Garincha’s bones were removed to be placed in a niche. However, he said he did not attend the exhumation and “the family did not receive any documents”.
An administrator of the cemetery reportedly said: “There’s no certainty that he’s buried. We have information that the body was exhumed but there is no document that proves this.”
Local mayor Rafael Tubarao has proposed exhuming the grave again, with the family’s permission, to conduct a DNA test on what remains there are
The dead player’s daughter, Rosangela Santos reportedly remarked that the mayor of the city of Rio had promised a mausoleum for the dead player, but lamented that the bones had to be found first.
“My father did not deserve this. It’s very upsetting not knowing where he is.”
Garrincha played 50 times for Brazil between 1955 and 1966, helping his nation to World Cup victory in 1958 and 1962, when he shared the golden boot.
An administrator of the cemetery reportedly said: “There’s no certainty that he’s buried. We have information that the body was exhumed but there is no document that proves this.”
Local mayor Rafael Tubarao has proposed exhuming the grave again, with the family’s permission, to conduct a DNA test on what remains there are.
Brazilian cemeteries are usually split into two sections – those with tombs where bodies are buried, and walls with drawer-like concrete niches where ashes or bones are stored.
There are two tombs with Garrincha’s name on them, O Globo reported. One is a plot where Garrincha was originally laid in 1983 alongside other members of his family. The second is marked with an obelisk and was built in 1985.
Garrincha, which means “little wren” in Brazilian Portuguese, was regarded by many as the greatest dribbler of all time.
But his career was blighted by drink problems and he died of cirrhosis of the liver.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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