| Samarone | |
| Full Name: | Wilson Gomes |
| Birth Date: | 3 March 1946 |
| Birth Place: | Santos, Brazil |
| Height: | 1.77 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Years1: | 1963–1965 |
| Clubs1: | Portuguesa Santista |
| Years2: | 1965–1971 |
| Clubs2: | Fluminense |
| Years3: | 1971 |
| Clubs3: | Corinthians |
| Clubs4: | Flamengo |
| Years4: | 1971–1973 |
| Clubs5: | Portuguesa de Desportos |
| Years5: | 1973–1974 |
| Clubs6: | Bonsucesso |
| Years6: | 1975 |
Wilson Gomes (born 3 March 1946), best known by the nickname Samarone, was a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.[1]
Samarone started at Portuguesa Santista, where he scored the title goal of the 1964 2nd Division Championship Paulista. He transferred to Fluminense in 1965.[2]
Samarone played 211 matches for Fluminense, with 109 wins, 41 draws and 61 defeats, scoring 51 goals, playing for Flu until March 1971. With a powerful kick that became famous as "Os canhões de Samarone", in reference to the successful film at the time "The Guns of Navarone", also being known as the "Blonde Devil". Carioca Champion in 1969 and 1971 and the 1970 Brazilian Championship.[3] [4]
Despite being elected the best player in the 1970 Brazilian Championship, of which Fluminense was champion, Samarone never had a chance in the Brazilian team, which at the time had great competition with Pelé, Rivellino, Dirceu Lopes, Gérson, among other players competing for the position. He received the nickname "White Pelé". Samarone had two cases of hepatitis and a distortion in the ligaments in his left knee, which hampered his career. Furthermore, in 1971 Fluminense hired coach Mário Zagallo, with whom there was no affinity.[5]
So, Samarone went to Corinthians, where he stayed for a short time. He then went to wear Flamengo number 10 shirt, where Zico was still wearing number 9. He stayed at Flamengo for a short time, because Zagallo also arrived there. He was then loaned to Portuguesa, where he left to return to Rio de Janeiro and later end his career at Bonsucesso in 1975.[6]