Palmeiras Segunda Academia idol Leivinha dies aged 76 | OneFootball

Brazilian football is mourning the loss of Leivinha, a Palmeiras great from the club’s celebrated Segunda Academia. According to Nosso Palestra, he died on Thursday aged 76.

Born in Novo Horizonte, João Leiva Campos Filho, Leivinha, started at 15 in Lins.

His form at Linense earned a move to Portuguesa in 1966. With two starters injured, he scored four in early sessions and won a first-team place. Palmeiras signed him soon after.

At Palmeiras he was a linchpin of the Segunda Academia, noted for awareness, finishing and outstanding heading.

In four and a half years he won two Campeonato Brasileiro titles and two Campeonato Paulista titles, plus other domestic and international trophies.

He remains among the club’s leading scorers and is top five for Campeonato Brasileiro goals. Wearing No 8, he led the attack when César Maluco was suspended.

In the 1971 Paulista final against São Paulo, his headed goal was disallowed by referee Armando Marques for alleged handball, a notorious error.

He was selected for Brazil’s 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany.

In 1975, after Palmeiras beat Real Madrid 3-1 to win the Ramón de Carranza, he joined Atlético de Madrid with Luis Pereira, having scored in the final. The move also honoured a promise to his Spanish grandfather.

Injuries curtailed his time in Spain and he retired at 29.

Source: Nosso Palestra