Preguinho Explained

Preguinho
Fullname:João Coelho Neto
Birth Date:8 February 1905
Birth Place:Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Death Place:Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position:Forward
Years1:1925–1938
Clubs1:Fluminense
Caps1:174
Goals1:129
Nationalyears1:1930
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:4

João Coelho Neto, known more commonly as Preguinho (8 February 1905  - 1 October 1979), was a Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.

Son of Brazilian writer Coelho Neto, Preguinho was born in Rio de Janeiro on 8 February 1905. He played from 1925–1938 for Fluminense[1] and scored 184 goals.

For Brazil he participated in the 1930 FIFA World Cup and was the first captain of the Brazil national team, scoring the first goal ever from Brazil in a FIFA World Cup in a match against Yugoslavia, and two further goals in a match with Bolivia.

He died at the age of 74 on 29 September 1979. In his honour, Fluminense dedicated a statue. A Brazilian TV-programme of his life was produced by Carlos Niemeyer for Canal 100 and directed by Carlos Leonam and Oswaldo Caldeira.

International goals

Brazil's goal tally first

! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1. 14 July 1930 1–2 1–2 1930 FIFA World Cup
2. 20 July 1930 2–0 4–0
3. 4–0
4. 17 August 1930 3–2 4–3 Friendly

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Folha Online. Especial - 2006 - Copa. Portuguese. 2005-12-09.