He won two World Cups, was one of the best in history, and died at 49, drowning in alcohol: the rise and fall of Garrincha

Manoel Francisco dos Santos, the legendary Brazilian footballer known as Garrincha, died on January 20, 1983, at the age of 49 in a Rio de Janeiro clinic. Born with physical challenges that defied medical expectations, he went on to become one of the most celebrated players in the history of the sport, securing two World Cup titles during his career.

Despite his professional success, his later life was marked by a decline associated with severe alcoholism. His death at a relatively young age serves as a noted conclusion to a life defined by both extraordinary athletic achievement and personal struggle.