Football legend Garrincha adopted the unconventional approach of introducing himself to new team-mates by eating spicy curries before proceeding to ‘break wind in their faces’.
The Brazilian icon, who shared the stage with fellow colossus of the game Pele, played a pivotal role in helping his nation to back-to-back World Cup victories in 1958 and 1962. Garrincha, born Manuel Francisco dos Santos, stood at 5ft6in and had one leg which was six centimetres shorter than the other, suffering from a bow-leg, but boy he didn’t let that get in the way of becoming a football great.
It was claimed that this added to his dribbling ability somehow – whatever the truth behind that statement, it’s hard to argue with given his performances for his nation. But it wasn’t just on-field antics that Garrincha, who would have turned 91 this week, was known for.
Infamously, he reportedly lost his virginity to a goat in his early teens. Yes, you read that right. He also retired twice, first in 1969 and again in 1972, and is also estimated to have fathered 14 children after having slept with hundreds of women across South America.
However, arguably the most bizarre tale from Garrincha’s catalogue of stories was how he would welcome new signings to Botafogo during pre-season. According to his team-mate Didi, Garrincha would “eat a real spicy meal” and then proceed to fart in the new signings face.
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Didi said: “He [Garrincha] would eat a really spicy meal then break wind in the new boy’s face.” Lovely.
We can’t imagine many Premier League initiations living up to the billing of the one the ‘Little Bird’ allegedly conjured up with new recruits. Though it was far from his only prank directed at them, having also reportedly lobbed turds through their windows.
It comes as little surprise then that his Botafogo coach once described him as “the most amateur professional ever to play football”. Garrincha was married twice, first to Nair Marques and later to samba singer Elza Soares – then having an affair with showgirl Angelita Martinez. Sadly, Garrincha was not able to shake an alcohol addiction in retirement – and was driving when his mother was killed in a car accident in 1969.
He passed away due to liver cirrhosis, a result of alcoholism, at the age of just 49 in 1983, with Pele later discussing his World Cup legacy that included five goals from 12 games.