Overview

Afonso Guimarães da Silva, commonly called Afonsinho, was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 8, 1914 and died on February 19, 1997. He is remembered as a Brazilian football player who reached the level of representing his country with the Brazil national team. His name appears in historical rosters from the period in which football in Brazil was consolidating its national identity.

Career and role

Contemporary descriptions identify Afonsinho as a professional player active during the first half of the 20th century. Like many players of his generation, he came from a city with a rich football culture — Rio de Janeiro — and moved through the domestic club system to earn national selection. Records show he took part in matches for the national side, a mark of recognition in an era when international fixtures were fewer and selection was highly competitive.

Historical context

The decades when Afonsinho was active were formative for Brazilian football. The sport was shifting from amateur to professional structures, regional rivalries were intense, and the national team began to develop the style that would later define Brazil on the world stage. Players like Afonsinho contributed to this evolution by competing at both club and international levels.

Playing style and importance

Specific tactical details about Afonsinho’s position or statistics are scarce in widely available sources. However, representing the national team indicates he possessed technical skill and tactical awareness valued at the time. His career is a reminder that many contributors to Brazilian football’s early successes are known more by reputation and selection than by exhaustive statistical records.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Full name: Afonso Guimarães da Silva; commonly known as Afonsinho.
  • Born in Rio de Janeiro, March 8, 1914; died February 19, 1997.
  • Selected to play for the Brazil national team, reflecting national recognition.
  • His nickname follows a common Brazilian tradition of using diminutives and monikers in sport.

Afonsinho’s career is part of the broader story of Brazilian football’s rise. For readers interested in period teams and context, contemporary match reports and national squad lists provide the best available details about players of his generation.