Henrique, former Vasco defender and multiple title winner, dies aged 49 | OneFootball

Henrique, the former Vasco centre-back and multiple title winner, has died aged 49. According to Globo.com, the club expressed its sorrow on social media. The cause of death had not been disclosed at the time of publication.

A youth product who joined the club in 1996, he featured for the first team in two spells, from 1998 to 2001 and from 2003 to 2004. He was part of squads that lifted the Copa Libertadores in 1998, the Mercosul in 2000 and the Brasileirão in 2000.

He is widely remembered for the 1-0 win over Athletico-PR, then Atlético-PR, in the penultimate round of the 2004 Brasileirão, a result that kept Vasco from relegation. The team needed victory against the league leaders to avoid reaching the final day at risk.

In the second half at São Januário, Petkovic delivered a free-kick from the right and Henrique headed in the only goal. The result kept the hosts up and removed the Furacão from top spot, with Santos taking the lead and securing the title in the following round.

After the match, Henrique said he had heard claims Athletico had champagne ready to celebrate at São Januário. He insisted no one would be parading there and described it as a goal scored in anger.

His full name was Leonardo Henrique Peixoto dos Santos. Vasco also offered condolences to his family and friends.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”