67 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Josimar
Northern Ireland v Brazil
Mexico 1986 | Group D
Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
Josimar didn’t make Brazil’s squad for Mexico 1986. Leandro was named as first choice at right-back. Edson Abobrao was his deputy.
Then it all blew up. At their final training camp a few months earlier, Leandro and Renato Gaucho – both exceptional talents – had broken Tele Santana’s rules by sneaking out to a nightclub and drinking. When the Brazil coach named his 22 players for a trip up the Americas, Renato’s wasn’t among them. Leandro’s was but, in an act of seldom solitary to his friend, he refused to go to the tournament despite desperate pleas from, among others, Seleção poster boy Zico.
Paulo Roberto was the favourite to replace Leandro, with Luiz Carlos Winck and Ze Teodoro alternatives. Out of the blue, however, Tele selected Josimar, who hadn’t played for Botafogo for two months. Such was the shock that the CBF’s director of football announced that Perivaldo, a former international, had been called up before correcting himself.
Josimar received another stroke of fortune. Edson was injured in Brazil’s second group game against Algeria and he was picked to start their third against Northern Ireland.
In the 42nd minute, Josimar, unfazed at being surrounded by greats Junior, Socrates and Careca, tried his luck from way out. His magnificent, moving piledriver duly flew into the top corner of Pat Jennings’ net. It wasn’t the last we’d hear from Brazil’s unexpected No13 at the 13th World Cup.
