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Baltazar (footballer, born 1959)

Brazilian footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baltazar Maria de Morais Júnior (born 27 July 1959), known simply as Baltazar, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker.[1]

Full name Baltazar Maria de Morais Júnior
Date of birth (1959-07-27) 27 July 1959 (age 67)
Place of birth Goiânia, Brazil
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Baltazar
Baltazar in 2008
Personal information
Full name Baltazar Maria de Morais Júnior
Date of birth (1959-07-27) 27 July 1959 (age 67)
Place of birth Goiânia, Brazil
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1979 Atlético Goianiense
1979–1982 Grêmio 78 (46)
1982 Palmeiras
1983 Flamengo 26 (13)
1984 Palmeiras 11 (2)
1984–1985 Botafogo 18 (1)
1985–1988 Celta 92 (47)
1988–1990 Atlético Madrid 77 (53)
1990–1991 Porto 19 (2)
1991–1993 Rennes 34 (6)
1993–1995 Goiás 18 (11)
1995–1996 Kyoto Purple Sanga 30 (28)
International career
1980–1989 Brazil 6 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
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During an 18-year professional career he played, other than in his country, in Spain, Portugal, France and Japan, winning several individual scoring honours. He appeared with the Brazil national team that won the 1989 Copa América.

Club career

Born in Goiânia, Goiás, Baltazar started playing with hometown club Atlético Goianiense. He signed for Grêmio in 1979, going on to score in double digits during his entire four-season spell a recording a best of 14 in 1980 while being an instrumental attacking unit in the team's back-to-back Gauchão conquests; in the 1981's Série A final against São Paulo, after missing a penalty kick in the first leg (2–1 home win), he scored the only goal in the second match for a first-ever national championship conquest.[2]

In the following four years, Baltazar played for Palmeiras (two spells), Flamengo and Botafogo, netting 13 times for the second side in another Brazilian championship conquest. He had his first abroad experience aged 26, being relegated from the Spanish La Liga with RC Celta de Vigo.

In 1986–87, Baltazar propelled the Galicians back into the top level by scoring a career-best 34 goals, also a best-ever in the second division. In a game in December, he accidentally collided with CD Málaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo who died days later from a cerebral haemorrhage; he mourned the death which some had blamed him for.[3]

Baltazar only found the net on six occasions in the following season, but the club retained its league status.[4][5][6] He subsequently stayed in the country and joined Atlético Madrid, scoring 35 goals in 36 contests in his first season – his second Pichichi in three years – and adding 18 in the following;[7] however, after the emergence of younger Manolo, the 31-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Tomislav Ivić and, in November 1990, signed for FC Porto in Portugal, being used almost exclusively as a substitute during his only season.

Until his retirement at the age of 37 in 1996, Baltazar played for Stade Rennais (France), Goiás and Kyoto Purple Sanga (Japan).

International career

Baltazar played for Brazil at the 1989 Copa América which was held on home soil, appearing in three group stage matches for the eventual winners (including the 0–0 against Colombia as a starter).[8] However, during nearly one full decade, he only earned a total of six caps and scored two goals.

Post-retirement

Highly religious, Baltazar was nicknamed O Artilheiro de Deus (God's striker). He became a minister after retiring from football, settling in his hometown and fathering two children.[9]

Career statistics

Club

More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[citation needed]
Club Season League State league National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlético Goianiense 1979 Série A 0012———
1980 001719———
Total 001821000000
Grêmio 1979 Série A 16102919———
1980 18144028———
1981 21103320———
1982 231210———
Total 784610367000000
Palmeiras 1982 Série A 002814———
1983 00176———
1984 11200———
Total 1124520000000
Flamengo 1983 Série A 261385——63
Botafogo 1984 Série A 002212———
1985 18100———
Total 1812211000000
Celta 1985–86[10] La Liga 326—8521—
1986–87[10] Segunda División 4434—33——
1987–88 La Liga[10] 167—56——
Total 92470016142100
Atlético Madrid 1988–89[10] La Liga 3635—86—21
1989–90[10] 3818—20—21
1990–91[10] 30—00—20
Total 7753001080062
Porto 1990–91 Primeira Liga 192—41—
Rennes 1991–92 Ligue 1 346——
1992–93 Ligue 2 00——
Total 34600000000
Goiás 1993 Série A 0029———
1994 Série B 18111519———
Brazil 18111728000000
Kyoto Purple Sanga 1995 Football League 2728——
1996 J1 League 30——
Total 302800000000
Career total 403209213151302321125
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  1. Includes Copa del Rey.

International

More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year[11]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 198010
198121
198200
198300
198400
198500
198600
198700
198800
198931
Total62
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Honours

Grêmio

Flamengo

  • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1983

Porto

Goiás

Brazil

Individual

References

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