Full name Artur de Sousa Name Artur Sousa Place of birth Funchal, Portugal Role Footballer | Playing position Position Forward Years Team | |
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Date of birth (1909-09-30)September 30, 1909 Date of death 12 July 1963(1963-07-12) (aged 53) Died July 12, 1963, Porto, Portugal | ||
Artur de Sousa, known by his nickname Pinga (July 30, 1909 in Funchal – July 12, 1963 in Porto) was a footballer and later coach who made his name at FC Porto, where he served until his death in 1963.
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History
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 31–32 and 36–37 Campeonato de Portugal (the predecessor to the Cup of Portugal). He was still a playing for Porto when the forerunner of the current Primeira Liga was established. Porto was champion in the first two years of the competition.
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, with 394 goals in 400 games. He only played for two clubs, Marítimo and FC Porto. He was capped 21 times for Portugal, scoring 9 goals over 12 years (1930–1942).
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 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.