Baltazar Maria De Morais Junior Former Brazilian footballer, striker Date of Birth: 17.06.1959 Country: Brazil

1. Early Life and Career
2. Domestic Success
3. International Recognition
4. European Adventure
5. Tragic Incident
6. Personal Accolades
7. Later Career and Retirement
8. Legacy

Early Life and Career

Born in Goiânia, Brazil, on December 8, 1959, Baltazar Maria de Morais Júnior was a promising striker from a young age. He began his professional career in 1978 with Goiás Esporte Clube, where he quickly established himself as a top scorer, winning the Goiás State Championship Golden Boot in both 1978 and 1994.

Domestic Success

In 1979, Baltazar joined Grêmio, helping the team win the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship in 1979 and 1980. He continued his impressive form, becoming the Golden Boot winner in 1980 and 1981. In 1981 and 1983, he was part of Grêmio's Brazilian Championship-winning teams.

International Recognition

Baltazar made his international debut for Brazil in 1981 and went on to earn nine caps. He helped the Seleção win the 1989 Copa América, scoring two goals in the tournament.

European Adventure

In 1985, Baltazar moved to Europe, joining Portuguese club FC Porto. He played a key role in Porto's 1991 Portuguese Cup triumph. In 1988, he signed with Spanish side Atlético Madrid, where he enjoyed a remarkable season, winning the 1988/89 La Liga Golden Boot with an astonishing 35 goals.

Tragic Incident

However, Baltazar's career was marked by a tragic event in 1986. During a match between Atlético Madrid and Málaga, he collided with goalkeeper José Marín. Marín suffered severe head injuries and fell into a coma, dying several weeks later. The incident deeply affected Baltazar and raised questions about player safety in football.

Personal Accolades

Despite the tragedy, Baltazar continued his career, winning numerous individual awards. He was awarded the Brazilian Silver Ball in 1980, recognizing him as the second-best player in the country. He also won the Rio de Janeiro State Championship Golden Boot in 1984 and the La Liga Golden Boot in 1989.

Later Career and Retirement

In the twilight of his career, Baltazar returned to Brazil, playing for several clubs, including Santos, Portuguesa, and Coritiba. He retired from professional football in 2001. After his retirement, he became a football commentator and worked as a coach for several youth teams.

Legacy

Baltazar Maria de Morais Júnior is remembered as one of the greatest Brazilian strikers of his generation. His prolific scoring ability and achievements at both domestic and international levels have etched his name into the history of the sport. Despite the tragic incident that shadowed his career, his legacy as a gifted and influential player remains intact.