Otávio Fantoni
Encyclopedia
Otávio Fantoni, best known as Nininho or Fantoni II (born in Belo Horizonte
, April 4, 1907 – died in Rome
, February 8, 1935) was a Brazil
ian professional Football (soccer)
forward player.
He was born in an Italian-origin family of Belo Horizonte
which supported Cruzeiro
, than known as Palestra Itália. In Cruzeiro, he played along with his cousins João Fantoni (Ninão) and Leonízio Fantoni
(Niginho). In 1931, they were sold to Lazio, where they would be known by their surnames, like a dinasty: Nigão was Fantoni I, he was Fantoni II and Niginho, Fantoni III.
They played along another Italian-Brazilian, Anfilogino Guarisi
, in a squad known as "Brasilazio". Fantoni II and Guarisi were called to defend Italy national football team
in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
qualification game against Greece
. Unfortunately, Fantoni II wasn't called to the World Cup, just Guarisi.
Less than one year later, he injured his nose in a game against Torino. The injured became a generalized infection that would kill him.
Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country...
, April 4, 1907 – died in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, February 8, 1935) was a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian professional Football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
forward player.
He was born in an Italian-origin family of Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country...
which supported Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
, than known as Palestra Itália. In Cruzeiro, he played along with his cousins João Fantoni (Ninão) and Leonízio Fantoni
Niginho
Leonídio Fantoni, best known as Niginho or Fantoni III was a professional association football forward player....
(Niginho). In 1931, they were sold to Lazio, where they would be known by their surnames, like a dinasty: Nigão was Fantoni I, he was Fantoni II and Niginho, Fantoni III.
They played along another Italian-Brazilian, Anfilogino Guarisi
Anfilogino Guarisi
Amphilóquio Guarisi Marques was an Italian Brazilian football player. In Brazil he was known as Filó.-Biography:...
, in a squad known as "Brasilazio". Fantoni II and Guarisi were called to defend Italy national football team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
qualification game against Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
. Unfortunately, Fantoni II wasn't called to the World Cup, just Guarisi.
Less than one year later, he injured his nose in a game against Torino. The injured became a generalized infection that would kill him.