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POSITION: Forward
FULL NAME: Guaracy Januzzi
DATE OF BIRTH: 03-12-1914
PLACE OF BIRTH: Belo Horizonte (MG)
CAREER DETAILS:
Atlético Mineiro: 1936-41
ATLETICO HONOURS:
4 Mineiro State Championships (1936, 1938, 1939, 1941)
1 Cup of Champions (1937)
PERSONAL HONOURS:
Twice Mineiro State Championship Top Scorer: (1936 & 1938)
SIX YEARS, FIVE TITLES
Whilst injury confined Guará’s career as a footballer to only five years, his indisputable talent ensured that it was a successful five years for Atlético Mineiro. Galo had uncharacteristically failed to win three successive Mineiro State Titles, before Guará’s arrival coincided with an impressive return to winning ways in 1936. In his first season, he won the first of four state titles yet it was in the January of 1937 that Guará made his most memorable contribution in an Atlético jersey. The event was a competition which pitted together the State Champions from Rio De Janeiro, São Paulo, Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais - aptly named the Copa dos Campeões (Cup of Champions). As expected, Portuguesa, the robust Paulista outfit made the final. Surprisingly, it was Atlético, the first ever Mineiro State Conquerors, who joined them at the expense of Rio challengers Fluminense. Now that in itself was an accomplishment but Galo went one, glorifying step further. With the showpiece tied,
two goals a piece and heading towards an irrevocable stalemate (the trophy would have been shared), Guará scored arguably the finest and certainly the most important goal of his career. The match ended 3-2 in Atlético’s favour. Guará was the hero absolute. The first ever Mineiro State Champions were crowned Campeões dos Campeões and earned the unofficial tag of ‘ the best team in Brazil’.
The Blond Devil became somewhat of a goal machine in the years that followed. He was also a highly creative player and those around him benefited greatly. However, Guará’s blossoming career as a professional footballer was tragically shortened as a result of an almost fatal, on-pitch accident in 1939. In an encounter against local rivals, Palestra Itália, Guará was accidentally kicked in the head, as he challenged for possession with opposing defender, Caieira. Guará was rushed to hospital suffering from a traumatised cranium. There he spent 23 days fighting for his life. Fortunately, it was a battle Guará won. However, the 1940 Mineiro State Championship was one battle that Guará was unable to influence as he endured the ramifications of the collision. Without Guará’s speed, agility, dribbling – and of course the numerous goals his presence practically guaranteed – Atlético-MG were beaten to the title. Ironically, the victors were Palestra Itália, the side who had nullified the danger
of their rival’s foremost threat, albeit in unintentional circumstances.
Although Guará recovered enough to make a comeback and win his fourth State Title in 1941, he was never the same player and duly retired from football, aged just 25. His career may have been short but it was certainly distinguished. An outstanding 168 goals make him Galo’s fourth highest goal scorer in history. He passed away in the city of his birth, Belo Horizonte, in 1978. His death was mourned by the club, who were at the time embarking on the most fruitful period in their existence.
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Rankings prepared by Mark Lowdon based on criteria including length of service, achievements and performances. Players have been judged on the period they spent at the club only.
Last page update: Jan 27 2005
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