Batista (footballer, born 1955) explained

Batista
Full Name:João Batista da Silva
Birth Date:8 March 1955
Birth Place:Porto Alegre, Brazil
Height:1.75 m
Position:Defensive midfielder
Years1:1973–1981
Clubs1:Internacional
Caps1:72
Goals1:9
Years2:1982
Clubs2:Grêmio
Caps2:23
Goals2:0
Years3:1983
Clubs3:Palmeiras
Caps3:12
Goals3:2
Years4:1983–1985
Clubs4:Lazio
Caps4:43
Goals4:2
Years5:1985
Clubs5:Avellino
Caps5:14
Goals5:1
Years6:1985–1987
Clubs6:Belenenses
Caps6:8
Goals6:0
Years7:1988–1989
Clubs7:Avaí
Caps7:8
Goals7:0
Totalcaps:180
Totalgoals:14
Nationalyears1:1975–1976
Nationalteam1:Brazil Olympic
Nationalcaps1:18
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:1978–1983
Nationalteam2:Brazil
Nationalcaps2:38
Nationalgoals2:0
Medaltemplates-Expand:yes

João Batista da Silva (born 8 March 1955), known as Batista, is a Brazilian former professional footballer]] who played as a defensive midfielder.

He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal in football at the 1975 Pan American Games.[1]

Club career

Throughout his club career, Batista played for several clubs, mainly[in Brazil, but also in Italy and Portugal, namely: [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]] (1973–1981), Grêmio (1982), Palmeiras (1983), Lazio (1983–1985), Avellino (1985), Belenenses (1985–1987), and Avaí (1988–1989). During his time with Internacional, he won three Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles, in 1975, 1976, and 1979.[2]

International career

Batista competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Brazil finished in fourth place, and he also won a gold medal in football at the 1975 Pan American Games.[1]

Batista won 38 senior international caps for Brazil from April 1978 to June 1983, but did not score a goal. He played also in two editions of the FIFA World Cup, in 1978 and 1982.[2] [3] In the 1978 tournament, Batista played throughout all seven of Brazil's matches, with the team not losing a single match, and only conceding three goals. Brazil failed to qualify for the final on goal difference, eventually finishing the tournament in third place.[2]

In the 1982 World Cup, Batista was a reserve. He played once as a substitute for Zico, coming on in the final minutes of the team's second–round match against Argentina. Famously, Diego Maradona was sent off for his foul on Batista after Batista had flattened Juan Barbas.[2] [4]

He was also a member of the Brazil team that finished in third place at the 1979 Copa América.

Style of play

Batista usually played as a defensive midfielder, where he was known for his ability to aid his team defensively, but also had the capacity to help build attacking plays after winning back possession. However, he was also known for his lack of pace.[2]

After retirement

Since retiring, Batista has been working as a commentator for Brazilian television channel RBS, which is part of the Globo TV circuit.[5]

Honours

Internacional

Avaí

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Batista (João Batista da Silva) . 6 March 2019 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202213326/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ba/batista-1.html . 2 December 2016 .
  2. Web site: Batista: Meteora del calcio italiano. . TuttoCalciatori.net . it . Iaccarino . Lucio . 16 January 2012 . 13 April 2020 .
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20080929181431/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=69514/index.html João Batista da Silva Statistics
  4. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2943/castrol-debates/2010/06/10/1968569/castrol-world-cup-legends-diego-maradona-1986 "Castrol World Cup Legends: Diego Maradona – 1986"
  5. Web site: BATISTA . UOL . pt . 13 April 2020 .