Brito (footballer, born 1939)

Brito
	Brito in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Hércules de Brito Ruas
Date of birth	9 August 1939 (age 83)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Senior career*
Years	Team
1955–1959	Vasco da Gama
1959–1960	Internacional
1960–1969	Vasco da Gama
1969–1970	Flamengo
1970–1971	Cruzeiro
1971–1974	Botafogo
1974	Corinthians
1974–1975	Atlético Paranaense
1975	Montreal Castors
1975	Deportivo Galicia
1975–1979	Democrata
1979	Ríver
Total
National team
1964–1972	Brazil
Honours
Men's Football
Representing Brazil
FIFA World Cup
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

This is a Portuguese name; the first family name is de Brito and the second is Ruas.

Brito, real name Hércules de Brito Ruas, (born 9 August 1939 in Rio de Janeiro) is a former Brazilian footballer. He played as a central defender for many clubs, and for the Brazilian national team. Brito was regarded to be one of the best defenders in the history of Vasco da Gama. He was known as a classic defender as a great tackler, leader, man-marking opponent and a quick and tireless runner.

Club career[change | change source]

He started his career at Vasco da Gama, his favorite team, in 1960, replacing Bellini, two-time world champion with the Brazilian national team. In 1971, in a classic between Botafogo and Vasco, the Vasco defender punched referee José Aldo Pereira, after a penalty was awarded against Botafogo. For the assault, he received a year's suspension. He stayed at the Rio club for 10 years. He was champion of the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1966 for the club.

He arrived at Cruzeiro shortly after the 1970 FIFA World Cup, on loan from Flamengo, where he had a falling out with Yustrich . For Toca da Raposa, he played only 31 games until February 1971. In one of them, against Flamengo, after a 3-1 victory, in heavy rain, at Mineirão, the player ran towards the opponent's bench and threw his shirt at Yustrich, who tried to leave the tunnel in pursuit, but was held back by members of the coaching staff and reserve players. Raposa reached the semifinals of Robertão , the Brazilian at the time, and Brito entered the team for the first Silver Ball of the newly createdScore Magazine. At the end of the loan, the athlete ended up transferring to Botafogo. He defended Corinthians in 1974 for 29 games (12 wins, 7 draws, 10 defeats), did not score any goals in favor and even scored an own goal. He also played for Internacional, Atlético Paranaense, Deportivo Galicia and River-PI.

Intenational career[change | change source]

Brito made his debut for the national team in 1964, He was called up for the 1966 World Cup.

He was considered the best fit player at the 1970 World Cup by the WHO Legend has it that during the preparation for this Cup, he broke a gym equipment while exercising. For Selecão, he made 45 between 1964 and 1972 and he scored once.