Leandro
Encyclopedia
Leandro, full name José Leandro de Souza Ferreira, (born March 17, 1959 in Cabo Frio
, Brazil) is a former football defender
at Flamengo
, winning four Brazilian national titles, five Rio State championships
, one Libertadores da América, and one Intercontinental Cup
against Liverpool
. He also played in the Brazilian national team
in the 1980s, including the 1982 FIFA World Cup
, along with Zico
, Júnior, Falcão
, Sócrates
, and others. Leandro was capped 27 times for Brazil between September 1981 and May 1986. He was considered one of the best fullbacks of Brazilian soccer.
In 1982, he was the star-studded Brazilian team's unsung hero, a secret weapon capable of delivering decisive crosses to the forwards, or indeed taking a pop himself. He also had an ability to dribble past players and probably covered more ground than any other player in the team – he could often be found in the outside right position, yet would get back to defence when needed.
After several knee injuries in 1985, Leandro started to play as a centre back, also achieving much success and being called to the brazilian national squad to play in this new position.
A principled man, he refused to go to 1986 FIFA World Cup
at Mexico after a disagreement with the coach Telê Santana
over the exclusion of his teammate Renato from the squad.
Nowadays he owns and manage a restaurant and hotel in his hometown Cabo Frio
.
Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio is a Brazilian municipality in Rio de Janeiro state, founded by the Portuguese on November 13, 1615.The city's economy is mainly based on tourism, as most of the cities situated in the called Região dos Lagos . The city is usually visited by people from Minas Gerais, Brasília and Rio de...
, Brazil) is a former football defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
at Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
, winning four Brazilian national titles, five Rio State championships
Campeonato Carioca
The Campeonato Carioca, also known as Campeonato Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, is the football league of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is one of the most prestigious national football tournaments...
, one Libertadores da América, and one Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. He also played in the Brazilian national team
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in the 1980s, including the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, along with Zico
Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra , better known as Zico , is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. He is the current head coach of the Iraq national football team. Often called the "White Pelé", he is commonly considered one of the most skilled finishers and one of the best passers ever and possibly the...
, Júnior, Falcão
Paulo Roberto Falcão
Paulo Roberto Falcão is a Brazilian head coach and former footballer, currently managing Sport Club Internacional. He is widely considered one of the best players in Internacional and Roma history, and one of the most talented midfielders of all time, especially at his peak in the mid 1980s...
, Sócrates
Sócrates
Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, MD, , more commonly known simply as Sócrates, is a Brazilian former association footballer....
, and others. Leandro was capped 27 times for Brazil between September 1981 and May 1986. He was considered one of the best fullbacks of Brazilian soccer.
In 1982, he was the star-studded Brazilian team's unsung hero, a secret weapon capable of delivering decisive crosses to the forwards, or indeed taking a pop himself. He also had an ability to dribble past players and probably covered more ground than any other player in the team – he could often be found in the outside right position, yet would get back to defence when needed.
After several knee injuries in 1985, Leandro started to play as a centre back, also achieving much success and being called to the brazilian national squad to play in this new position.
A principled man, he refused to go to 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
at Mexico after a disagreement with the coach Telê Santana
Telê Santana
Telê Santana da Silva, also known as Telê Santana , was a Brazilian football manager and former player...
over the exclusion of his teammate Renato from the squad.
Nowadays he owns and manage a restaurant and hotel in his hometown Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio is a Brazilian municipality in Rio de Janeiro state, founded by the Portuguese on November 13, 1615.The city's economy is mainly based on tourism, as most of the cities situated in the called Região dos Lagos . The city is usually visited by people from Minas Gerais, Brasília and Rio de...
.