Ademir Marques de Menezes (; 8 November 192211 May 1996) was a Brazilian footballer, regarded as one of the best forwards in the country's history. He was the top goalscorer of the 1950 FIFA World Cup and scores 32 goals in 39 appearances for the Brazil national team.
Club career Ademir began his club career with Sport Recife before moving to Vasco da Gama. He played for Vasco for two spells, 1942–1945 and 1948–56, broken by a spell at Fluminense. In total, Ademir won two Pernambuco State League Championships (1941, 1942) and five Rio State League championships (1945, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1956). He won another with Fluminense (1946). He was the league's top scorer in 1949 with 30 goals and again in 1950 with 25 goals. Ademir finally retired from playing in 1956, going on to work as a commentator, coach and businessman.
International career Ademir is best known for his exploits in the 1950 World Cup held in his native Brazil. Playing in an outstanding forward trio involving Zizinho and Jair he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the competition with 9 goals, and he also helped the team with 6 assists in the tournament. He was the scorer of the first competitive goal at the Maracanã stadium. Despite this feat, he could not bring victory to Brazil in the decisive match against Uruguay – a national tragedy which was later dubbed the Maracanazo.
Ademir also enjoyed success in the Copa América. He played in the 1945, 1946, 1949, and 1953 editions of the tournament, with 13 goals and 3 assists in 18 appearances in the competition, including a tournament-winning hat-trick in the final play-off against Paraguay in 1949. He also won the Panamerican Championship with Brazil in 1952 scoring two goals on the title match against Chile. In total, Ademir played 39 times for his country, scoring 32 goals (according to RSSSF) between 1945 and 1953.
Style of play A fast and powerful striker, with a strong shot in both feet, Ademir began his career as a left winger before moving to the centre, causing havoc in opposing defences with his skill and sublime finishing. People at the time considered him an unequalled ball juggler who knew every trick in the book. He used to wreak havoc among defences with his quick changes in tempo, fooling his opponents with deceptions carried out almost at lightning speed, his mastering of the ball in all situations and the ability to accelerate rapidly.
Career statistics International
Brazil national teamYearAppsGoals1945971946611947201948001949571950914195100195252195331Total39 32
International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 28 January 1945 Santiago, Chile 1–0 2–0 1945 South American Championship 2. 15 February 1945 1–2 1–3 3. 21 February 1945 1–0 9–2 4. 2–0 5. 9–2 6. 20 December 1945 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ?–? 6–2 1945 Copa Roca 7. ?–? 8. 9 January 1946 Montevideo, Uruguay 1–? 1–1 1946 Copa Río Branco 9. 3 April 1949 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 9–1 9–1 1949 South American Championship 10. 17 April 1949 São Paulo, Brazil 4–0 5–0 11. 5–0 12. 24 April 1949 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 6–1 7–1 13. 11 May 1949 1–0 7–0 14. 2–0 15. 4–0 16. 6 May 1950 São Paulo, Brazil ?–? 3–4 1950 Copa Río Branco 17. ?–? 18. 14 May 1950 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ?–? 3–2 19. 18 May 1950 1–0 1–0 20. 24 June 1950 1–0 4–0 1950 FIFA World Cup 21. 4–0 22. 1 July 1950 1–0 2–0 23. 9 July 1950 1–0 7–1 24. 2–0 25. 4–0 26. 5–0 27. 13 July 1950 1–0 6–1 28. 5–0 30. 20 April 1952 Santiago, Chile 1–0 3–0 1952 Panamerican Championship 31. 2–0 32. 12 March 1953 Lima, Peru 1–0 2–0 1953 South American Championship
Honours Sport Recife Campeonato Pernambucano: 1941, 1942
Vasco da Gama Campeonato Carioca: 1945, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1956 South American Championship of Champions: 1948 Torneio Octogonal Rivadavia Correa Meyer: 1953
Fluminense Campeonato Carioca: 1946
Rio de Janeiro State Team Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais: 1943, 1944
Brazil South American Championship: 1949 Panamerican Championship: 1952 FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1950 South American Championship runner-up: 1945, 1946, 1953
Individual Copa América Best Player: 1949 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 1950 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1950 IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century (18th place)IFFHS' Century Elections IFFHS South American Player of the 20th Century (44th place) Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
References