Football legend Garrincha was a bit of a strange guy - and that's an understatement.
The Brazilian star, who shared the stage with the phenomenal Pele, played a pivotal role in helping his nation claim back-to-back World Cup titles in 1958 and 1962. The right-winger, born Manuel Francisco dos Santos, stood at 5ft6in and had one leg which was six centimetres shorter than the other, suffering from a bow-leg.
Garrincha in action at the 1962 World Cup where he finished joint top scorer
However, despite this, Garrincha went on to achieve legendary status, after he was named in the World Cup All-Star team for the 1958 tournament in Sweden and finished joint top scorer in 1962 in Chile. Yet his performances on the pitch are only half of what makes him a soccer icon, because not only did he play with the GOAT, he also, well, played with a goat.
It has widely been reported that the Brazilian winger, who would have turned 91 last week, lost his virginity to a goat at the age of 12. Perhaps the South American sports writer Eduardo Galeano shouldn't have once said the footballer could control a football like "a tamed animal".
The farmyard horror is just a small part of Garrincha's storied love life. The tragic star, who passed away due to liver cirrhosis as a result of alcoholism aged just 49 in 1983, is said to have fathered 14 children, having slept with hundreds of women across South America.
Pele and Garrincha remained close friends until his premature death
He was married twice, first to Nair Marques and later to samba singer Elza Soares - before having an affair with showgirl Angelita Martinez. Garrincha was a dad before he was 20 and a grandfather at 40.
He once ran over his own father in his car, but that's wasn't his only motoring catastrophe. Garrincha was also at the wheel when, in April 1969, he crashed into an coming lorry, killing his mother-in-law in the passenger seat. This is said to have led to an increase in his drinking and volatile behaviour.
Having retired twice, once in 1969 and then again in 1972, it has also been claimed that whilst playing for Botafogo, the winger would "eat a really spicy meal" before proceeding to fart in the face of new signings to introduce himself.
Garrincha was described by Pele as being like a "brother"
However, as a footballing talent he was virtually peerless, and considered one of the best dribblers the game has ever seen. Speaking about his Brazilian teammate back in 2018, the late Pele said: "I never played with or against anyone better than Garrincha. On the pitch we were team-mates. Off the pitch we were brothers."
Having been voted into the World Team of the 20th Century by 250 football writers and journalists - Garrincha then came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.
As the famed Uruguayan writer Galeano once said: "In the entire history of football no one made more people happy. When he was out there, the pitch was a circus ring, the ball a tamed animal, the match a party invitation.
"Garrincha nurtured his pet, the ball, and together they created such mischief that people almost died laughing. He jumped over it, it gambolled around him, hid itself away, skipped off and made him run after it.
"And on the way, his opponents ran into each other."
Maria Luisa Jacobelli, an Italian TV presenter and journalist, was seen in London for the pre-season friendly clash.Maria Luisa Jacobelli sent fans wild as she attended Chelsea vs Bayer LeverkusenMaria Luisa is a stunning TV presenter for sportmediasetShe has 4.5 million followers on InstagramShe is a former star of Temptation IslandMaria Luisa often sends fans into meltdown with her jaw-dropping ...
Lucy Bronze and Ona Batlle enjoyed their Spanish holiday togetherLucy Bronze was snapped soaking up some late summer sun with her Euro 2025 rival Ona Batlle.Bronze, 33, is kicking up her feet after winning back-to-back Euros with the Lionesses last month - however, her glory came at the expense of Batlle, 26, who the full-back is rumoured to dating.The pair were seen cosying up in bikinis in Ibiza...
The social media star, 27, has been dating Real Madrid and England midfielder Bellingham for months, but the pair keep most of their relationship away from the public eye.Ashlyn Castro gave her fans a wink on InstagramThe social media star posed for a mirror selfieAshlyn is dating Jude BellinghamAshlyn, an influencer and model, boasts over 600,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly update...
And the popular ring girl's snap was even compared to Sydney Sweeney's famous jeans ad.Sydney Thomas posed in double denim in her latest X snapSydney Sweeney recently turned heads with her American Eagle adSweeney's viral ad has turned headsThomas shot to fame as ring girl for the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight on Netflix last November.She now has 865,000 followers on Instagram.While she also has an e...
Loris Karius and Diletta Leotta live a life of luxuryJaw-dropping DAZN host and the better half of Loris Karius, Diletta Leotta, has dazzled fans with her latest social media snaps.The sizzling star left little to the imagination as she showed off her toned abs while soaking up some late summer sun in an outdoor shower. Diletta, 33, wore a barely-there multi-coloured bikini as she rinsed off in th...
The influencer had her ice hockey career cut short by injury aged just 19.Mikayla Demaiter posed for a quartet of snapsThe influencer has built a huge social media followingMikayla has more than three million followers on InstagramHer latest post received more than 50,000 likesShe has since built a huge fanbase on social media.Mikayla has more than three million followers on Instagram.In her lates...
ABBEY CLANCY suffered a wardrobe malfunction with her bikini on board a luxury yacht with hubby Peter Crouch.The couple are enjoying a romantic getaway.They soaked up the sun on a yacht and Crouch went out for a little venture on a paddleboard.But in windy conditions Abbey suffered a wardrobe malfunction with her summery outfit.Abbey, 39, wore a bikini and a see-through skirt and a yellow sarong.B...
Arabella Mia left little to the imagination as 'Arsenal's biggest female fan' had a sultry message for new striker Viktor Gyokeres.Gyokeres, 27, made his Emirates bow during the Gunners' 3-2 loss to Villarreal in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the new Premier League season. And keen to give him a welcome, the adult star rocked up to the stadium with a body-painted shirt.Arabel...
Georgina Rodriguez has once again captivated her followers after sharing a series of Instagram photos showcasing an elegant yet breezy look, along with a video capturing intimate moments at a special event. But beyond the fashion and smiles, one detail lit up social media: Did Georgina and Cristiano Ronaldo secretly tie the knot?With over 67 million Instagram followers, Georgina has established he...
GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ left fans stunned after posing for bold snaps in a risque dress.The model and influencer has been Cristiano Ronaldo's partner for close to nine years.Georgina boasts an incredible 67.7 million followers on Instagram and they were given a treat with her latest post.The 31-year-old Argentinian beauty caught the eye in a dress so short that it risked a wardrobe malfunction.Georgina...
- 1 PSG Willing to Sell Lucas Beraldo – But Only If Two Demands Are Met Amid Premier League Interest
- 2 TIPS - FCSB VS KF Drita Gjilan
- 3 TIPS - Lincoln Red Imps VS FC Noah
- 4 TIPS - Rigas Futbola Skola VS KuPS
- 5 Juventus Eye Fresh Bid for Chelsea Defender Renato Veiga, But Serie A Club Must First Sell Ex-Newcastle Star
- 6 TIPS - FC Kairat Almaty VS SK Slovan Bratislava
- 7 Man City loanee Simpson-Pusey ready to prove himself at Celtic: This is a big opportunity!
- 8 TIPS - Orlando City VS Club Necaxa
- 9 Three-time Grand Slam winner Aryna Sabalenka drives fans wild
- 10 TIPS - FC Kaiserslautern VS Schalke 04