This book review first appeared in Issue 159 of the hard-copy version of the TRUE FAITH fanzine and we thought it was worth republishing for those who might have missed it first time round. Thanks to John for his well crafted review. 

‘Garrincha’, ‘The Angel with Twisted Legs’, ‘Father of the Dribble’. Manuel Francisco dos Santos had a few nicknames, but the most accurate was ‘The Joy of the People’. It’s said that while the public respected Pelé, they loved Garrincha.

Garrincha plied his trade during the golden age of Brazilian football, he helped Brazil to its first World Cup in 1958 then went on to almost single-handedly win it again in 1962, all the while mesmerising left backs and entertaining the fans in the Maracanã for Botafogo.

The stories of Pelé and Garrincha are intrinsically linked. Famously never losing a match in the 40 games they lined up together for their country, their lives away from the pitch could not have been more different.

While Pelé was the consummate professional who knew his worth and built his brand, the naïve Garrincha just wanted to play.

Ruy Castro is an extraordinary writer who is able to take us on the journey from Rio State’s backwater town of Pau Grande to the heights of World Cup finals with humour, carefully researched insights and humanity. Garrincha’s story is littered with tragedy, some of it the fault of others, but most of it self-inflicted.

Exploitative club directors persuaded Mané to sign blank contracts and forced him on gruelling tours while carrying injuries, while his own love of female company and dependency on cashaça (Brazilian liquor) played havoc with his personal life and health.

Although Ruy pulls no punches, from the infamous loss of his virginity to a goat, the alcoholism and his drink driving which resulted in the death of his mother-in-law, his love and affection for his subject matter shines through on page after page.

The book is not just a story about Garrincha, but is also a great insight to the golden era of Brazilian football. It’s a heart-warming, bitter-sweet tale of an extraordinary player, tragically flawed human, and a nation in raptures to a mythical, romantic ideal of what football should be like.

It’s a truly outstanding piece of writing.

JOHN MILTON – @Geordioca