TBT #16 Lion's memory: Fossati, 1988 Catarinense-winning goalkeeper | OneFootball

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

We have already covered here 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 – 1973 Santa Catarina State Champion HERE,  #06 NIZETA, four-time Santa Catarina State Champion HERE, #07 ADILSON HELENO – 1988 Santa Catarina State Champion, HERE,  #08 ADOLFINHO – The greatest goalkeeper from Santa Catarina of all time HERE, #09 BALDUÍNO – 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 defender in Avaí’s history, Santa Catarina State Champion in 1975 HERE,     #013 BELMONTE – Two-time Santa Catarina State Champion (1988 and 1997) and Santa Catarina Cup Champion (1995) HERE,   #014 MIRINHO – one of the great idols in Avaí’s history HERE,  #015 BIRA LOPES – one of the great midfielders in Avaí’s history HERE.

In the 16th edition, we will remember FOSSATI, goalkeeper and 1988 Santa Catarina State champion.

Jorge Daniel Fossati Lurachi, better known as Fossati, was born on November 22, 1952 (73 years old), in Montevideo, Uruguay.  He was already an acclaimed goalkeeper when he arrived at Avaí in 1987, to fulfill his wish of playing in Brazil. He played for Leão from 1987 to 1989. He defended Avaí in 130 matches, according to data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023, by Dois Por Quatro publishing house, by authors Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.

He was one of the key players in winning the 1988 Santa Catarina State Championship title. Fans and the sports press saw him as a player with grit, who connected with the fans and his teammates. He was an outstanding penalty saver.

Fossati, alongside right back Netinho and defender Maurício (in memoriam) 

Photo: Memória Avaiana Collection 

Avaí, 1988 Santa Catarina State champion 

Standing: Dr. José Carlos (doctor), Netinho, Fossati, Maurício, Sérgio Márcio, Belmonte and J.J. Rodriguez, and Nelson Neves (fitness coach). Crouching: Adilson Gomes, Flavio Roberto, Marcos Severo, Adilson Heleno and Elísio. 

Photo: reproduction, page 67 of the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023 

Standing: Dr. José Carlos (doctor), Netinho, Fossati, Maurício, Sérgio Márcio, Belmonte and J.J. Rodriguez, and Nelson Neves (fitness coach). 

Crouching: Adilson Gomes, Flavio Roberto, Marcos Severo, Adilson Heleno and Elísio. 

Photo: Memória Avaiana Collection 

In addition to the 1988 Santa Catarina State Championship title, Fossati won many titles on the field. Check out all the titles of his career below:

Peñarol – Uruguayan Championship: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 Olimpia – Paraguayan Championship: 1983 Rosario Central – Argentine Championship: 1986–87

He retired as a player in 1990, when he played for Coritiba.

As he was unable to attend the event organized by Avaí to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the state title win, he sent a letter expressing his affection for the club.

“Dear Friends of Avaí Futebol Clube

I received the invitation with great joy, but unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I will not be able to attend on this occasion.

Honestly, I feel very sad because I would love to see again the wonderful fans of the “Lion of the Island,” as well as the directors, coaching staff, employees, and especially my dear teammates from that wonderful time that brought us so much joy, and above all, memories for a lifetime.

I hope to have the opportunity in the future, but for now I ask you to send, on my behalf, a big hug to all of them. I do not want to mention any names so as not to make the mistake of forgetting someone, but I do want to remember our dear president Nilson Fidélis, “Pico,” and all those who are still with us, who through work, love, and commitment helped achieve that 1988 title.

Honestly, I am writing full of emotion as I remember those wonderful moments. A big hug to everyone from a “gringo” who is deeply grateful to God and to Avaí for allowing me to be part of the club for 3 years and to remain one more fan from now on.

Thank you very much!”

After ending his playing career, he became a coach.

RESEARCH SOURCES  –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. The Team of Grit – 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     – Photo collection of Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Avaí Play channel on YouTube; – Terceiro Tempo website;  – 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.