Ninão Explained

Ninão
Fullname:João Fantoni
Birth Date:24 June 1905
Birth Place:Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Death Place:Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Position:Forward
Years1:1922–1931
Caps1:110
Goals1:164
Years2:1931–1935
Caps2:113
Goals2:39
Years3:1935–1938
Caps3:17
Goals3:3
Manageryears1:1937
Managerclubs1:Palestra Itália-MG
Manageryears2:1943–1944
Managerclubs2:Cruzeiro
Manageryears3:1959
Managerclubs3:Cruzeiro
Pcupdate:14 February 2024

João Fantoni (24 June 1905 – 19 July 1982), better known as Ninão or Fantoni I, was a Brazilian professional footballer and manager, who played as a forward.

Career

One of the first great idols in the history of Cruzeiro EC, Ninão is one of the greatest goalscorers in the club's history, with 167 goals in 127 matches (1.41 per game). He was runner-up for the club in 1922, 1923 and 1924, and three-times champion in 1928, 1929 and 1930, being top scorer in these three editions, with emphasis on 1928 with 43 goals.[1] Some sources credit him with scoring 10 goals in a single match, against Alves Nogueira, a feat that would equal that of Dadá Maravilha in the Sport Recife 14–0 Santo Amaro match.[2]

Alongside his brother (Niginho), he was hired by the SS Lazio in 1931, remaining until 1934 when he returned to Brazil with the increase in political tension in Italy due to the Abyssinia Crisis. Ninão returned to Cruzeiro and ended his career in 1938. He was also a member of the club's board and coach on three occasions: 1937, 1943–1944, when he was state champion, and 1959.[3] [4] [5]

Personal life

Ninão is brother os also footballers Niginho (Leonídio Fantoni) and Orlando Fantoni, cousin of Nininho Fantoni, and father of Benito Fantoni and Fernando Fantoni.

Honours

Player

Cruzeiro

1928, 1929, 1930

Individual

Manager

Cruzeiro

1943

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ninão: A melhor média de gols da história celeste . Guerreiro dos Gramados . 31 January 2023 . 14 February 2024 . pt.
  2. Web site: Cruzeiro 100 anos: time de 1928 teve 91 gols, Ninão como artilheiro e com 10 gols em um jogo . GloboEsporte . 3 January 2021 . 14 February 2024 . pt.
  3. Web site: João Fantoni . Cruzeiropédia . 14 February 2024 . pt.
  4. Web site: Faltam 86 dias: Artilheiro nato, Ninão começou a colocar os Fantoni na história do Cruzeiro . Hoje Em Dia . 7 October 2020 . 14 February 2024 . pt.
  5. Web site: Que fim levou? Ninão (Ex-atacante do Palestra Itália/Cruzeiro) . Terceiro Tempo . 14 February 2024 . pt.