Leandro (footballer, born 1959) facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | José Leandro de Souza Ferreira | ||
| Date of birth | 17 March 1959 | ||
| Place of birth | Cabo Frio, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Right wing-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1978–1990 | Flamengo | 119 | (5) |
| International career | |||
| 1981–1986 | Brazil | 27 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
José Leandro de Souza Ferreira (born March 17, 1959), known simply as Leandro, is a famous Brazilian former football player. He was a strong defender on the field.
Leandro played his entire professional career for one club, Flamengo. He started as a right-sided full-back, helping both defense and attack. Later, from 1983, he became a central defender. He also played for the Brazil national team in the 1980s, including the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
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Playing for Clubs
Leandro spent his whole club career with Flamengo. He helped them win many important titles. These included four Brazilian national leagues. They also won five Rio State championships.
He won the Libertadores da América once. This is a very big South American club competition. He also helped Flamengo win the Intercontinental Cup in 1981. They beat Liverpool in that final. In total, Leandro played 417 matches for Flamengo. He scored 14 goals for his club.
Playing for Brazil
Leandro played 27 times for the Brazil national team. He scored two goals for his country. He was part of the Brazilian team in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. This team was full of stars like Zico, Júnior, and Sócrates.
Brazil played exciting attacking football in that tournament. However, they were knocked out in the second round. They were in a tough group with their rivals Argentina and the eventual champions Italy.
Leandro also played in the 1983 Copa América. Brazil finished in second place in that competition. He was a man of strong beliefs. He chose not to go to the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. This was because he disagreed with the coach Telê Santana. The coach had decided not to include Leandro's teammate Renato in the squad.
Life After Football
Leandro stopped playing football early, in 1990. He was 31 years old at the time. Today, he owns and manages a restaurant and a hotel. These are in his hometown of Cabo Frio.
How He Played
Leandro is seen as one of Brazil's greatest defenders ever. He started his career as a right-sided full-back. In this role, he was very good at attacking. He could send perfect crosses into the box for his teammates. He could also take shots at goal himself.
Leandro was also great at dribbling past other players. He could move forward with the ball very well. He was able to cover his side of the field both in attack and defense. He would often be found in the outside right position. But he would always get back to defend when needed.
After some knee injuries and surgeries in 1985, Leandro changed his position. He started playing as a centre-back. He was very successful in this new role too. He was even called up to the Brazil national team to play in this new position.
Achievements
Club
- Flamengo
- Campeonato Carioca: 1978, 1979, 1979, 1981, 1986
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1980, 1982, 1983
- Copa União: 1987
- Intercontinental Cup: 1981
- Copa Libertadores: 1981
- Copa do Brasil: 1990
Individual
- Bola de Prata: 1982, 1985
