Elzo facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Elzo Aloísio Coelho | ||
| Date of birth | 22 January 1961 | ||
| Place of birth | Machado, Minas Gerais, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1978–1981 | Ginásio Pinhalense | ? | (?) |
| 1981–1982 | Inter de Limeira | ? | (?) |
| 1982 | Amparo | ? | (?) |
| 1982–1984 | Internacional | 28 | (3) |
| 1984–1987 | Atlético Mineiro | 114 | (6) |
| 1987–1989 | Benfica | 51 | (1) |
| 1989–1991 | Palmeiras | 44 | (2) |
| 1991–1993 | Catuense | ? | (?) |
| 1993 | Caldense | ? | (?) |
| Total | 125 | (7) | |
| National team | |||
| 1986 | Brazil | 11 | (0) |
|
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Elzo Aloísio Coelho, born on January 22, 1961, is a retired Brazilian football player. He is better known simply as Elzo. He played as a midfielder for the Brazilian national team. He also played for several clubs in Brazil and for Benfica in Portugal.
Contents
Elzo's Football Journey
Playing for Brazil
Elzo was an important player for Brazil in the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. He started in all five of Brazil's matches. He played alongside famous stars like Carecca, Sócrates, and Zico.
In the first round, Brazil won all their games. They beat Spain 1–0, Algeria 1–0, and Northern Ireland 3–0. In the next round, called the "last 16," they won against Poland 4–0.
Brazil then played against the French national team in the quarter-finals. France was led by their star player, Michel Platini. The game ended in a 1–1 tie. This meant the winner had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out. Brazil lost the shoot-out and was out of the tournament. Elzo played 11 games for Brazil in total, all in 1986.
Playing for Clubs
In 1987, Elzo moved from a Brazilian club called Atlético Mineiro to Benfica in Portugal. He had played three seasons with Atlético Mineiro. During that time, he helped them win the Campeonato Mineiro championship in 1985 and 1986.
At Benfica, the team was coached by a legendary Portuguese player named Eusébio. Eusébio was known as the black panther. He really liked Elzo's skills as a defensive player. Elzo quickly became a regular player for Benfica.
In the 1988–89 season, Elzo helped Benfica win the Portuguese league title. They also reached the final of the 1987–88 European Champions Cup. This competition is now known as the UEFA Champions League. Elzo played the whole final match in Stuttgart, Germany. About 75,000 fans watched the game.
Benfica played against PSV Eindhoven, a team led by Guus Hiddink. The game ended in a 0–0 tie. Just like in the World Cup, the winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Sadly, Benfica lost the shoot-out and finished as runners-up. Elzo returned to Brazil in 1989. He joined Palmeiras and played there for two seasons.
Achievements and Awards
Team Honours
- Ginásio Pinhalense
- Campeonato Paulista: 1979
- Internacional
- Campeonato Gaúcho: 1982, 1983, 1984
- Atlético Mineiro
- Campeonato Mineiro: 1985, 1986
- Benfica
- Portuguese Liga: 1988–89
- UEFA European Cup: Runner-up 1987–88
Individual Awards
- Bola de Prata: 1989 (while playing for Palmeiras)
