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Juvenal AmarijoBrazilian footballer, right back.
Date of Birth: 27.11.1923
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Flamengo
- Palestra Italia
- Later Career
- Hardship and Redemption
- Final Days and Passing
Early Life and Career
Juvenal Amarijo was born in Vitória, Brazil, on February 11, 1923. He began his professional football career with Vitóriense, before playing for Farroupilha. In 1947, he joined Cruzeiro, where he spent two seasons.
Flamengo
In 1949, Juvenal made his Flamengo debut on February 20th against Olaria. He played 82 matches for the "Fla," scoring a single goal on February 11, 1950, against Botafogo.
Palestra Italia
Juvenal left Flamengo for Palestra Italia (now Palmeiras) in 1951. He helped the team win the Rio-São Paulo tournament in his first season but failed to secure any further trophies. He played 145 matches for Palmeiras, recording 85 wins, 27 draws, and 33 losses.
Later Career
After Palmeiras, Juvenal had stints with Bahia, where he won two state championships, and Ypiranga de Salvador.
Hardship and Redemption
In the 1990s, Juvenal found himself destitute, suffering from severe pain in his legs due to arthritis in his right knee. He was unable to walk and lived in a dilapidated shack without basic amenities.
After a television program aired about Juvenal's plight, he received widespread support. Well-wishers provided financial assistance and gifted him a portable radio. He was transferred to a private clinic and later to a rehabilitation center, where he regained his mobility thanks to the efforts of former footballer and doctor Luis Carlos Meneses. In 2009, the Bahia state government granted Juvenal a new house with modern conveniences.
Final Days and Passing
On October 30, 2009, Juvenal Amarijo, the last surviving Brazilian player from the 1950 World Cup final, passed away at the public hospital in Camaçari. The cause of his death remains unknown.
