TBT #14 Lion memories: Mirinho, one of Avaí's all-time greats | OneFootball

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former player who left a mark on the club’s hundred-year history. We remember stars who brought us so much joy wearing the blue and white colors.

We have already covered the stories of:#01 ROGÉRIO ÁVILA – HERE#02 CAVALLAZZI – The Golden Boy - HERE#03 FLÁVIO ROBERTO – 1988 champion - HERE#04 JUTI – The title-winning top scorer of 1975, HERE,#05 TONINHO QUINTINO – Santa Catarina State Champion of 1973 HERE, #06 NZETA, four-time Santa Catarina State Champion HERE,#07 ADILSON HELENO – Santa Catarina State Champion of 1988, HERE, #08 ADOLFINHO – The greatest goalkeeper from Santa Catarina of all time HERE,#09 B0ALDUÍNO – The Little King, Santa Catarina State Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE,#010 ZENON – Santa Catarina State Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE,#011 CLÉBER SANTANA – Avaí’s eternal number 88, Santa Catarina State Champion in 2012 HERE#012 VENEZA – The best center-back in Avaí’s history, Santa Catarina State Champion in 1975 HERE #013 BELMONTE – Two-time Santa Catarina State Champion (1988 and 1997) and Copa Santa Catarina Champion (1995) HERE

In the 14th edition, we will look back at MIRINHO, another of the great idols in Avaí’s history.

On September 1, 2025, Mirinho received the Saul Oliveira Medal, the Club’s highest honor

Photo: Leandro Boeira / Avaí F.C.

Altamiro Vieira, better known as Mirinho, was born on June 20, 1941, in Florianópolis-SC. He played as a left-back and appeared in 286 matches over two spells with the club (1957 to 1967 and 1969 to 1971). He scored 27 goals. He is the 6th player with the most appearances for Avaí in the Club’s hundred-year history, according to the data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 anos de histórias 1923 – 2023, by publisher Dois Por Quatro, written by Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.Mirinho began his path at Avaí in 1957, in the youth team, winning the Torneio Início. A versatile center-back and left-back, he attacked and defended with the same ease. With his bowlegged stride and stylish football, he became one of the great symbols of his time.

Alongside Cavallazzi and Rogério, he formed the “Golden Trio,” winning the city championship twice (1960 and 1963) and the Torneio Início twice (1960 and 1963). He drew interest from clubs outside Santa Catarina, but chose to remain at Avaí since he was a civil servant and would have had to resign if he moved to another state. In Santa Catarina, he also played for Hercílio Luz.

Avaí, 1960 City Champions.

Standing: Binha, Tatu, Mirinho, Culica, Aberlardo and Enízio.

Crouching: Moacir, Cláudio, Nilson, Vadinho and Betinho.

Photo: Adalberto Klüser Archive / Reproduction p. 56 from the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 Anos de Histórias

Avaí, 1963 City Champions.

Standing: Nicolino Tancredo (president), Neri, Acácio, Gercino, Mirinho, Binha and José;

Crouching: Barbato (mascot), Bentinho, Rogério, Morelli, Cavallazzi, Perereca and Cacau Menezes.

Photo: Adalberto Klüser Archive / Reproduction p. 57 from the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 Anos de Histórias

SAUL OLIVEIRA MEDALOn September 1, 2025, at a Solemn Session of Avaí’s Deliberative Council held at Ressacada, Mirinha received the Club’s highest honor: the Saul Oliveira Medal.

In addition to Mirinho, former players Milton Cunha Cavallazzi (Cavallazzi) and Osni Leitão Gonçalves, known as Nizeta (in memoriam), also received the Saul Oliveira Medal. The Club’s highest honor is awarded to personalities who marked the trajectory of the Lion of the Island.

Mirinho receives the Saul Oliveira Medal from Júlio César Herdt, then president

Photo: Leandro Boeira / Avaí F.C.

Mirinho with family members

Photo: Leandro Boeira / Avaí F.C.

Julio César Herdt (L) and Luciano Kowaslki, with Mirinho and family members

Photo: Leandro Boeira / Avaí F.C.

Mirinho and Cavallazzi, two of those honored with the Saul Oliveira Medal

Photo: Leandro Boeira / Avaí F.C.

WATCH ON AVAÍ PLAY HOW THE SOLEMN SESSION WENT

BELOW, MORE PHOTOS OF MIRINHO AT AVAÍ

Avaí 1–1 Marcílio Dias match, on August 30, 1963.

Standing: Cid Gomes (doctor), Oscar, Neri, Acácio, Gercino, Mirinho, Binha and José Amorim;

Crouching: Perereca, Rogério, Bentinho, Cavallazzi, Gílson and Zezinho (masseur).

Photo: Adalberto Klüser Archive / Reproduction p. 56 from the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 Anos de Histórias.

Avaí x Usati, match in São João Batista-SC, in 1963.

Standing: Nicolino Tancredo (president), Osvaldo, Bonga, Binha, Valter, Oscar, Acácio, Mirinho and Russi.

Crouching: Cavallazzi, Gílson, Taí, Rogério Ávila, Perereca, Vadinho, Renê and unidentified player.

Photo: Adalberto Klüser Archive / Reproduction p. 56 from the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 Anos de Histórias.

In 1964, Avaí played at the fondly remembered Adolfo Konder stadium (where Shopping Beira Mar operates today).

Standing: José Melo (Masseur), Hamilton, Edson, Nery, Binha, Mirinho and Gilson.

Crouching: Renê, Rogério, Reginaldo, Cavalazzi and Renato Viana.

Photo: Família Queiroz Archive / Notícias do Dia newspaper

Avaí squad in the 1963 season. In the Torneio Início, they were champions after beating São Paulo 2–1. In the city championship, Avaí won the title again, with Figueirense finishing runner-up. Many players came from the capital’s amateur football scene, such as Mirinho, Oscar, Binha, Rogério, among others.

Standing: Neri, Acácio, Oscar, Gercino, Mirinho and Binha.

Crouching: Bentinho, Rogério, Morelli, Cavallazzi and Perereca.

Photo: Maury Dal Grande Borges Archive / Notícias do Dia newspaper.

RESEARCH SOURCES–– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. O Time da Raça – Almanac of 90 years of Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.    –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023    – Alceu Atherino photo archive / Avaí F.C.– Avaí Play channel, on YouTube;– Memória Avaiana website; – Official Avaí F.C. website; – Polidoro Júnior website;– ND Mais website;

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.