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Pele’s Dead World Cup Teammate’s Bones Disappear from Grave

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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.

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“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.

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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.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and the country’s most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Orishabiyi Olutoye

    June 2, 2017 10:28am at 10:28 am

    We the members of Nigeria Football Supporters Club l(NFSC) led by Prince Vincent Okumagba (National Chairman) are very delighted with the quality of players and coaching crew of our National Team “Super Eagles” as well as their build up preparation towards the African qualifying match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the World Cup match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun. The results archived so far has been very encouraging and we urge them to do more so we all can smile come 10th of June 2017 in Uyo.
    The supporters club on our part, are preparing to storm Uyo in large numbers having asked all our members from all State Chapters to assemble in Uyo couple with the admissions of new members, the final result of the match shall be positive to all Nigerians.
    Special thanks to Hon. Minister for Youth and Sports (Solomon Dalung), the Chairman Senate Committee on Sports (Senator Obinna Oga), President of Nigeria Football Federation (Amaju Pinnick) and members of Press ably represented for their Contributions and Supports during and after our National Election inside the Abuja National Stadium on the 10th December, 2016 being supervised and observed by all people mentioned.

    Orishabiyi Olutoye
    National P. R. O
    Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC)

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