Artur Pinga Explained

Pinga
Fullname:Artur de Sousa
Birth Date:30 July 1909
Birth Place:Funchal, Portugal
Death Place:Porto, Portugal
Position:Forward
Youthclubs1:Marítimo
Years1:1929–1930
Clubs1:Marítimo
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:1930–1946
Clubs2:Porto
Caps2:221
Goals2:146
Nationalyears1:1930–1942
Nationalteam1:Portugal
Nationalcaps1:21
Nationalgoals1:9
Manageryears1:1948–1949
Managerclubs1:Tirsense
Manageryears2:1949–1950
Managerclubs2:Porto
Managerclubs3:Sanjoanense
Managerclubs4:Gouveia
Manageryears5:–1963
Managerclubs5:Porto youth team

Artur de Sousa, known by his nickname Pinga (July 30, 1909 – July 12, 1963) was a Portuguese footballer and later coach who made his name at FC Porto, where he served until his death in 1963.[1]

Playing career

Pinga played as forward or inside left and achieved nationwide fame at CS Marítimo. In 1930 he earned his first call-up to the national team, and in the same year joined FC Porto, and became the key player of the victories in the Campeonato de Portugal (the predecessor to the Cup of Portugal), in 1931/32 and 1936/37. He was still a playing for Porto when the forerunner of the current Primeira Liga was established, where he was champion in the first two years of the competition, in 1938/39 and 1939/40.

He retired in 1946 after a meniscus surgery, when such operations still carried many risks. During his career he was considered the best national player ever, scoring 394 goals in 400 games. He only played for two clubs, Marítimo and FC Porto.

International career

He was capped 21 times for Portugal, scoring 9 goals over 12 years (1930–1942).[2] On 5 May 1935, Pinga scored two late goals against Spain to complete an iconic comeback, from 3-0 down up to 3-3.[3] On 16 March 1941, he scored his last international goal against Spain in a 5-1 loss.

Coaching career

In his first season as a football manager, he caused a massive upset when Tirsense knocked out Sporting in the Portuguese Cup. He then managed Sanjoanense and Gouveia before returning to FC Porto as assistant manager.

He died in 1963, while serving as a youth team coach in Porto.

Legacy

He was idolized by José Maria Pedroto, who would become another major star in the Porto side. Both had their name suggested to the Estádio do Dragão. One of the most important sportsmen born in the Madeira Islands (some say his legacy lives on modern star Cristiano Ronaldo), he has a street named after him in his hometown Funchal.

International goals

Portugal score listed first, score column indicates score after each Pinga goal.

List of international goals scored by Pinga[4]
scope=colNo.scope=colDatescope=colVenuescope=colOpponentscope=colScorescope=colResultscope=colCompetition
1. 31 May 1931 align=center 3–2 3–2 Friendly
2. 3 May 1932 align=center 1–0 3–2
3. 29 January 1933 align=center 1–0 1–0
4. 5 May 1935 align=center 2–3 3–3
5 align=center 3–3
6. 28 November 1937 Nationalist align=center 1-0 2–1
7. 30 January 1938 Nationalist align=center 1–0 1–0
8. 24 April 1938 align=center 1–0 1–1
9. 16 March 1941 align=center 1-3 1–5

Honours

Club

Porto

Individual

1935–36

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pinga foi o primeiro génio eterno da história do FC Porto. Pinga was the first eternal genius in the history of FC Porto. Record. Rui. Dias. pt. 8 June 2001. 20 August 2015.
  2. Web site: Portugal - Record International Playersdate=28 May 2009 . Pierrend, José Luis . . 2 September 2009.
  3. Web site: Portugal vs Spain international football match report . EU-football . 11 May 2022.
  4. Web site: National football team player Pinga . EU-football.info. 3 June 2022.