Manoel Pereira (3 January 1927 – 23 April 1985), mostly known by the nickname Leônidas da Selva, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.
Nickname origin
Manoel earned the nickname "Leônidas da Selva" from journalist Sandro Moreira, a joke on the player's physical resemblance to Leônidas da Silva, but having a totally ferocious style of play on the field (in Portuguese, "Selva" means jungle).
Career Started his career in Santa Catarina, played for Flamengo de Estreito and Lauro Müller. After, played for Palestra Itália de Curitiba and Avaí FC. In 1952, arrived at America, a club with which he had national recognition which earned him six call ups for the Brazil national team in 1956.
He scored an unusual goal on an America trip to Turkey, where he scored with his heel, supporting his body weight on his hands.
Honours America Campeonato Carioca runner-up: 1955
Brazil Taça Oswaldo Cruz: 1956 Taça do Atlântico: 1956
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