Vasco da Gama is a club full of stories of glory and idols who have marked eras. Among these idols, left-backs have always played a crucial role, bringing skill, speed and goals to the team. In this article, we’ll explore the 9 best left-backs in Vasco’s history, highlighting their careers, titles won and unforgettable moments.
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9 best left-backs in Vasco’s history
1. José Lázaro Robles (Pinga)
José Lázaro Robles, known as Pinga, was born on February 11, 1924 in São Paulo. He began his career with Nacional-SP and made a name for himself in Brazilian soccer with his talent. In 1953, Pinga moved to Vasco da Gama, where he quickly became one of the club’s greatest idols.
Titles for Vasco
- Paris International Tournament: 1957
- Rivadavia International Cup: 1953
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1958
- Carioca Championship: 1956 and 1958
- Santiago International Tournament: 1957
- Rio de Janeiro Early Tournament: 1958
- Rio de Janeiro City Cup: 1959
- Lima Quadrangular Tournament: 1957
- Teresa Herrera Trophy: 1957
Pinga was one of the main players in the 1956 title win, scoring important goals and standing out in the decisive matches.
2. Orlando Rosa Pinto
Orlando Rosa Pinto was born on August 4, 1932 in Rio de Janeiro. Known for his skill and speed, Orlando stood out as one of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history, especially during the 1950s.
Titles for Vasco
- Carioca Championship: 1934 (LCF), 1936 (FMD)
- Rio-São Paulo State Champions Cup: 1936
- Luiz Aranha Tournament: 1940
- Torneio Início: 1932, 1942
Orlando was instrumental in winning the Rio-São Paulo tournament, with decisive performances in matches against the main rivals.
3. Jair Rosa Pinto
Jair Rosa Pinto was born on March 21, 1921 in Quatis, Rio de Janeiro.
He formed the trio “Os Três Patetas”, with the players Lelé and Isaías, who started out at Madureira, but consolidated at Vasco, when the team bought the three players in 1943. They were all part of the legendary Expresso da Vitória, one of the greatest squads in the club’s history.
Titles won by Vasco
- Carioca Championship: 1945
- Rio de Janeiro Early Tournament: 1944 and 1945
- Rio de Janeiro Municipal Football Tournament: 1944, 1945 and 1946
- Lightning Tournament: 1944 and 1946
Jair was one of the team’s leaders in winning titles, showing his class and experience on the pitch.
4. Ademir de Menezes
One of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history, Ademir Menezes scored 301 goals in 429 appearances for the Cruzmaltina team. The “Queixada”, as he was called, was the greatest idol and top scorer in Vasco’s history, until the emergence of Roberto Dinamite.
Considered one of thegreatest strikers in the history of Vas co and Brazilian soccer as a whole, Ademir had a brilliant career at Vasco, being one of the main players of the “Expresso da Vitória”.
Titles for Vasco
- Torneio Início do Rio de Janeiro: 1942, 1944, 1945 and 1948
- Peace Trophy: 1942
- Rio de Janeiro Lightning Tournament: 1944
- Rio de Janeiro Municipal Tournament: 1944 and 1945
- Carioca Championship: 1945, 1949, 1950 and 1952
- South American Club Championship: 1948
- Gerson do Santos Coelho Tournament: 1948
- Chile International Tournament: 1953
- Rio de Janeiro International Tournament: 1953
- Rivadavia International Cup: 1953
- Racing Fiftieth Anniversary Trophy: 1953
5. Edvaldo Izídio Neto (Vavá)
Edvaldo Izídio Neto, better known as Vavá, was born on November 12, 1934 in Recife. Vavá had a brilliant spell at Vasco, known for his physical strength and finishing ability.
Titles for Vasco
- Vasco da Gama
- Carioca Championship: 1952, 1956 and 1958
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1958
- Rio de Janeiro International Tournament: 1953
- Rivadavia International Cup: 1953
- Chile International Tournament: 1953
- Racing Cinquentenario Trophy: 1953
- Paris International Tournament: 1957
- Lima Quadrangular Tournament: 1957
- Santiago International Tournament: 1957
- Rio de Janeiro Early Tournament: 1958
One of the top scorers in the history of the Rio de Janeiro club with 150 goals, winning titles such as the first edition of the Tournament of Paris in 1957 after beating Real Madrid, he couldn’t be left out of a list of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history.
6. Tostão
Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade, known as Tostão, was born on January 25, 1947 in Belo Horizonte. Tostão is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Brazilian soccer.
His brief spell with the Gigante da Colina, after being a legend at Cruzeiro and shining for the Brazilian national team, left a significant mark, and he could not be forgotten among the best left-backs in Vasco’s history.
Titles for Vasco
- José de Albuquerque Cup: 1972
- Rio de Janeiro Quadrangular Tournament: 1973
The signing of Tostão was an important milestone, bringing a lot of attention and expectation to the club.
7. Francisco Aramburu (Chico)
Francisco Aramburu, known as Chico, was born on January 7, 1922 in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. Chico was a skillful and intelligent winger who made history at Vasco during the 1940s.
Titles for Vasco
- Rivadavia International Cup: 1953
- South American Champion Clubs Championship: 1948
- Carioca Championship: 1945, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1952[2][3]
- Rio de Janeiro Early Tournament: 1942, 1944, 1945 and 1948
- Rio de Janeiro Municipal Tournament: 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947
- Lightning Tournament: 1944 and 1946
- Gérson dos Santos Coelho Tournament: 1948
- Portuguese Centenary Cup: 1947
- Rio de Janeiro International Quadrangular: 1953
- Racing Cinquentenario Cup: 1953
- Chile International Tournament: 1953
Chico was also one of the great players of the legendary “Victory Express”, standing out with his skill and vision of the game.
8. Mola
Mola, Sebastião de Paiva Gomes, was a left winger who stood out for Vasco in the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his speed and crossing ability.
He formed a famous midfield line with Tinoco and Fausto. His nickname was Mola due to his elasticity and ability to steal the ball, establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history.
Titles for Vasco
- Carioca Championship: 1929 and 1934
- Torneio Início do Rio de Janeiro: 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932
- Alberto Baccarat Cup (SP): 1928
- Myrurgia Cup (Spain): 1931
- Monroe Cup [6]: 1930 and 1931
- Moacyr de Queirós Cup: 1930
Mola was crucial in winning the 1945 title, being one of the team’s main assistants.
9. Pedrinho
One of the best midfielders in Vasco’s history, Pedro Paulo de Oliveira, known as Pedrinho, was also a successful left winger.
He is one of Vasco’s great recent idols, known for his skill, dribbling and vision of the game.
Currently president of the team, he continues to write his name in the club’s history.
Titles for Vasco
- Brazilian Championship: 1997, 2000
- Mercosur Cup: 2000
Pedrinho scored one of the most iconic goals in Vasco’s history in the 2000 Mercosur Cup final, where Vasco overturned a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 against Palmeiras.
List of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history
Check out the list of the best left-backs in Vasco’s history:
- José Lázaro Robles (Pinga)
- Orlando Rosa Pinto
- Jair Rosa Pinto
- Ademir de Menezes
- Edvaldo Izídio Neto (Vavá)
- Tostão
- Francisco Aramburu
- Mola
- Pedrinho
This article celebrates the players who have left a legacy at Vasco da Gama. Each of them has made a unique contribution to the club’s rich history, delighting fans and winning important titles.
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