Jairzinho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jairzinho

Jairzinho with Brazil in 1974
Personal information
Full name	Jair Ventura Filho
Date of birth	(1944-12-25) 25 December 1944 (age 80)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position	Winger, striker
Youth career
1958–1960	Botafogo
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1960–1974	Botafogo	416	(186)
1974–1975	Marseille	18	(9)
1975	Kaizer Chiefs	3	(7)
1976	Cruzeiro	24	(9)
1977	Portuguesa (VEN)	24	(22)
1978	Noroeste	10	(4)
1979	Fast Clube	18	(10)
1980–1981	Jorge Wilstermann	12	(6)
1981–1982	Botafogo
1982	9 de Octubre
Total		525	(249)
National team
1965–1982	Brazil	81	(33)
Teams managed
1987–1988	Londrina
1988–1989	Al-Wehda
1989–1991	São Cristóvão
1995–1996	Bonsucesso
1997–1998	Kalamata
2001–2002	Mesquita
2003–2005	Gabon
Honours Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1970 Mexico Pan American Games Winner 1963 São Paulo
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Jair Ventura Filho (born December 25, 1944), known as Jairzinho, is a famous Brazilian former footballer. He was a super fast, skilled, and strong player who played as a right winger. He was amazing at scoring goals and was a key player for the legendary Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

Jairzinho was nicknamed "The Hurricane" (o Furacão) because his jersey would flap like crazy when he ran down the field. He could play in many attacking roles, like a main striker, a second striker, or even an attacking midfielder. He was known for his big afro haircut later in his career, his quick speed, amazing dribbling, ball control, powerful shots, and strong body. Many people think he is one of the greatest Brazilian players ever.

Jairzinho played most of his club football in South America. He spent eleven years with the Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo. Later, he played in Europe for Olympique de Marseille. Jairzinho took over the role of his football hero, Garrincha, for both Botafogo and Brazil. He played in three World Cups: 1966, 1970, and 1974.

Early Life and Start in Football

Jair Ventura Filho was born on December 25, 1944, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His family moved to Rio in the late 1950s. He grew up near the Botafogo club and joined their youth teams.

Club Career Highlights

Playing for Botafogo

Jairzinho with Botafogo in 1973

Jairzinho started his football journey in 1958 at just 13 years old, playing for the Botafogo youth teams. He even worked as a ball boy for the main team! He made his first professional game for the club as a striker when he was only fifteen in 1960. His idol, Garrincha, also played for Botafogo in Jairzinho's favorite position, the right wing. Because of this, Jairzinho often played on the left wing or as a centre forward at first. But when Garrincha was injured, Jairzinho would play on the right wing, which was his best position.

By 1965, when he was 21, Jairzinho became a regular player for Botafogo. Everyone in Brazil saw him as a rising star. Even at this young age, he was playing alongside Brazilian and Botafogo legends like Gérson, Mario Zagallo, and Garrincha.

In 1968, Botafogo won two big titles in Brazil: the 1968 Campeonato Carioca and the Taça Guanabara. Jairzinho scored 9 goals in 11 games in the Taça Guanabara. By this time, Garrincha had left Botafogo, which allowed Jairzinho to play in his natural right wing position. Botafogo then won a third trophy that year, the 1968 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. In the 1970 Campeonato Carioca season, just before the World Cup, Jairzinho was Botafogo's top scorer with 9 goals.

After Jairzinho's amazing performance at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, more people around the world watched his Botafogo team. In his last four years at Botafogo, he became one of the club's top goal scorers, with 186 goals in 416 games. He is the 6th highest goal scorer in Botafogo's history. One of his most memorable games was in 1972 when he scored three goals against Flamengo in a famous 6–0 win. That same year, he won the Bronze Award for the South American Footballer of the Year.

Playing in Europe: Marseille

In 1974, Jairzinho moved to the French club Olympique de Marseille. It was a very expensive transfer at the time. He was welcomed like a superstar by the fans. More than 10,000 fans came to watch his first training session! Jairzinho scored in his first game against AS Monaco in a 4–1 win.

He scored 9 goals in just 18 league games and had a great performance against FC Nantes in the Coupe de France, scoring 2 goals. His time in France ended early, and he left the club in the summer of 1975.

Playing in Africa: Kaizer Chiefs

After leaving Marseille, Jairzinho played a few games for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. He said he loved the stadium atmosphere and how he was "treated like a king." Even though he only played 3 league games, he scored 7 goals during his short time there.

Return to Brazil: Cruzeiro

In 1976, Jairzinho returned to Brazil and joined Cruzeiro. He scored 31 goals in 43 games across all competitions. He was the second-highest goal scorer in the 1976 Copa Libertadores with 12 goals, and he helped Cruzeiro win the trophy for the first time! Cruzeiro then played against Bayern Munich in the 1976 Intercontinental Cup but lost. Jairzinho only spent one year at Cruzeiro, but it was a very successful time.

Playing in Venezuela: Portuguesa

In 1977, Jairzinho, at 32 years old, surprised many by joining the Venezuelan team Portuguesa. He helped make Portuguesa one of the best teams in Venezuelan history. They won a record 16 games in a row and their fourth championship. He scored 22 goals in 24 league games, including three games where he scored three goals!

Later Club Years

Towards the end of his career, Jairzinho played briefly for Brazilian club Noroeste in 1978, scoring 10 goals. A year later, he joined Fast Clube and scored another 10 goals. In 1980, he signed with Bolivian team Club Deportivo Jorge Wilstermann, scoring 6 goals. In 1981, Jairzinho returned to Botafogo for his final season, where he was a hero to the younger players.

International Career with Brazil

Jairzinho with Brazil in 1970

Jairzinho played his first international game for Brazil in 1964 when he was 19, against Portugal. He played in the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, but he played as a left winger because Garrincha was back. Jairzinho found it hard to play well in that position, and Brazil was knocked out early. After the tournament, Garrincha retired from international football, and Jairzinho finally took over his idol's spot on the right wing for Brazil.

In his favorite position, Jairzinho became an amazing player for his country. At the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Jairzinho was one of the biggest stars. He made history by scoring in every single game Brazil played in the tournament! Because of this, he was called "Furacão da Copa" (World Cup Hurricane). His second goal against Czechoslovakia was one of the best goals of the tournament. He ran past four players and then hit a powerful shot into the goal.

He scored his seventh goal of the tournament in Brazil's 4–1 win over Italy in the final. Even with all his goals, he didn't win the Golden Boot award, which went to Germany's Gerd Müller, who scored ten goals.

Jairzinho during FIFA World Cup in 1974

Jairzinho scored two goals in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, which was his last World Cup for Brazil. He played his final match for Brazil in 1982 against Czechoslovakia, where Brazil drew 1–1. He scored 33 goals in 81 games during his international career.

Jairzinho's Style of Play

Jairzinho celebrating with teammates after World Cup win

Jairzinho was a feared and versatile forward who could score goals from anywhere on the field. He was incredibly fast and had quick bursts of speed. He also had an excellent first touch and was great at dribbling. But Jairzinho's most special quality was his strength.

Often, opposing teams would try to have two defenders guard Jairzinho to stop him. But he was a hard-working team player who would also run back to help defend, using his strong body to block opponents.

Jairzinho's movement without the ball was a big reason he scored so many goals. In the 1970 FIFA World Cup, he showed his attacking smarts, especially with his goal against England. He made a smart run after Pelé and then hit a powerful shot into the top corner, showing his goal-scoring threat.

Many coaches and teammates praised his ability to finish. The timing, accuracy, and power of his shots were almost perfect, making them very hard for goalkeepers to stop. He could also shoot powerfully and accurately with his left foot, making him a complete forward.

Besides his effective attacking play, Jairzinho had many talents with the ball and was known for his "phenomenal technical ability." One of his signature moves was flicking the ball up from a pass inside the opponent's box and perfectly cushioning it for an open shot. He also had smart creativity, which was seen in the cross he made for Pelé against England, leading to the famous save by Gordon Banks. Some people say Jairzinho is one of the most complete forwards of all time.

Life After Playing: Managerial Career

Jairzinho in 2010

After he stopped playing football, Jairzinho became a coach. He managed many youth teams in Brazil and also worked in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In 1997, Jairzinho became a manager in Europe for the Greek club Kalamata. He was later the head coach of the Gabon national team.

Perhaps his greatest achievement as a coach was discovering Ronaldo when Ronaldo was just 14 years old. Jairzinho was coaching São Cristóvão at the time. He helped start Ronaldo's amazing career by recommending him to Cruzeiro, his old club, and to the Brazil youth team. Ronaldo later became a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

Personal Life

Jairzinho's son, Jair Ventura, also became a footballer and later managed famous clubs like Corinthians, Botafogo, and Santos.

Honours and Awards

Jairzinho won many awards and trophies during his amazing career:

Club Trophies

Botafogo

• Brazilian Championship: 1968
• Rio de Janeiro State Championship: 1961, 1962, 1967, 1968
• Torneio Rio – São Paulo: 1964, 1966

Cruzeiro

• South American Club Championship: 1976

Jorge Wilstermann

• Bolivian League: 1980, 1981

International Trophies with Brazil

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1970
• Pan American Games: 1963 (Gold Medal)
• Independence Cup: 1972

Individual Awards

• FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 1970 (for being the second-highest scorer)
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1970 (chosen as one of the best players)
• South American Player of the Year: Bronze award 1972
• World Soccer magazine: Ranked 27th Greatest Player of the 20th Century
• IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century (19th place)
• Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame

Images for kids

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  Jairzinho with Botafogo in 1973

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  Jairzinho with Brazil in 1970

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  Jairzinho during FIFA World Cup in 1974

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  Jairzinho celebrating with teammates after World Cup win

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  Jairzinho in 2010