Ronaldinho, Romário, Neymar, Rivaldo, Ronaldo… et maintenant Victor Roque. The tradition of Brazilian players who have worn the jersey of FC Barcelona is long. The arrival of the 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense player is the 47th of a Brazilian footballer in the Blaugrana Club. Brazil has brought Ballons d’Or, Champions Leagues, historic gestures… But who was the first Brazilian player to pave the way?
In the 1930s, Fausto dos Santos and Jaguaré Becerra were the first Brazilian players to wear the Blaugrana colors. However, according to a standard in force at that time, Jaguaré could only play friendly matches. It is therefore Lucidio Batista da Silva who became the first Brazilian to play an official match with Barça.
One of the few images of the first Brazilian to play in an official game for Barça
Born in Rio de Janeiro on November 25, 1922, he landed in Barcelona in 1947. Previously, he had made the heyday of Palmeiras and Peñarol de Montevideo, and acquired the nickname of Big head. In the Uruguayan club, his coach was Enrique Fernandez, who coached Barça for three years (1947-50). It was also this coach who brought him to Barça in order to write history by becoming the first Brazilian to play an official match with the Club.
Very technical and talented, Da Silva was a striker who liked to enjoy life. But it would be simplistic to say that it is because of his lack of sacrifices that he did not triumph at Barça.
He played 21 matches and scored 10 goals (3 matches and 1 official goal) to contribute to his team’s La Liga title. But he will quickly fall into oblivion because one of the best players in the history of Barça succeeded him. This is César Rodriguez, who has scored 232 goals and is in second place in the ranking of scorers in the history of FC Barcelona.
Da Silva was then transferred to Porto, before returning to Palmeiras, and hanging up his boots in 1949, at only 27 years old. After his playing career, he became a police officer in São Paulo.
Since then, we have lost track of him. In any case, Lucidio Batista da Silva would be 101 years old when Vitor Roque continues his legacy in the Barça jersey. As a pioneer, he paved the way for the many Brazilians who followed in his footsteps. And there is no doubt that Lucidio da SilvaThere would not have been Victor Roque.
2023-12-28 13:05:28
#Brazilian #player #Barça #history
