Brito, starting defender of the Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, has died. The information was released via social media, on the former player’s official account this Thursday (11).
Hércules Brito Ruas, known as Brito, was born on January 9, 1939. He played for Vasco da Gama, but also played for Internacional, Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Botafogo and Corinthians.
He was 86 years old and had been hospitalized since May 14th due to pneumonia, according to his profile. Information about the wake has not yet been released.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our world champion. We thank everyone for the prayers and messages of support and affection”, says an excerpt from the family’s publication.
The defender also played in the 1966 World Cup. In 1970, he played alongside Piazza. He was considered the player with the best physical fitness in the tournament in Mexico.
Brito was a starter in all matches and was not substituted. He played for the Brazilian national team from 1964 to 1972, with 61 games.
There were 45 wins, 11 draws and five defeats, with titles of the Copa Roca (1971) and Taça Independência (1972), according to data from the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation).
Mauro Silva, the team’s starting midfielder in the 1994 World Cup in the USA, published a tribute to Brito.
“Brazilian football says goodbye to a great champion. I had the honor of this meeting with Brito, three-time world champion in 1970 and a reference to a generation that forever marked the history of our national team”, he wrote.
Vasco paid tribute to the former defender on social media.
“Hércules Brito Ruas was 86 years old, was a Vasco native and was revealed in São Januário. With Cruz de Malta, he played 405 games and scored 11 goals, in two spells: 1957 and from 1959 until 1969. He won the Paris Tournament in 57 and Rio São Paulo in 66. His performances and his physical size took him to the Brazilian team, the which he defended in two World Cups: 1966 and 1970, from which he won the World Cup three times”, wrote the club.
The CBF also mourned Brito’s death and offered solidarity to his family.
“In winning the Tri, the Rio de Janeiro native formed the victorious defense duo with Piazza. Together, they had important attributes for a defense. Piazza was known for his technique, and Brito, for his strength and physical imposition. Not for nothing, Hércules was his name. He played as a starter in the six World Cup games and was not even substituted”, recalled the entity.
