Last player of the 1950 World Cup has passed away
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November 3rd, 2009
Brazilians will never forget the 1950 World Cup; Brazil was absolute favorite to win the final match against Uruguay, and lost it. The episode became known as Maracanazo, and daunted Brazilian players for years; in 1970, the ghost of Maracanazo was probably in the mind of Brazilian players when they won Uruguay.
On October 29th 2009, Juvenal Amarildo, aged 86, passed away. Of the eleven Brazilian players who disputed the Maracanazo, Juvenal was the last one alive.
Juvenal was a center-defense in the Brazilian team, and, along with goalkeeper Barbosa and right-defense Bigode, he was considered one of the main culprits for the defeat. Juvenal played only 11 times for Brazil; after the loss to Uruguay, he never played again with the Brazilian uniform.
Like most other players of 1950, Juvenal died poor. Two years ago, TV Globo exhibited a report showing Juvenal living in misery, alone, nearly uncapable to walk.
A campaign was started to help the old player. The campaign managed to provide medical assistance and a small house for Juvenal.
Below, a movie showing the decadence of the last Brazilian player of the 1950 World Cup.