footballing idol of pelé, the greatest brazilian to ever lace up some boots, zizinho was a maestro of the sport, having a huge influence on the way that the game was played in the first half of the twentieth century.

born in neighboring niterói, just across the bay from rio de janeiro, zizinho was born tomás soares da silva, in 1921.

a force to be reckoned with in the attacking half of the pitch, zizinho was not only a player that could score goals, but was considered by many of the complete player, earning himself the nickname 'master zizinho'.