Arthur Friedenreich: Google honors Brazil’s first professional black player

defamation google’s in Brazil this Tuesday (18) honors a football icon. about brazilian arthur friedenreichThe first professional black player in the country, born exactly 131 years ago.

Friedenreich faced prejudice from managers, fans and even other athletes. Born in São Paulo in 1892, a few years after the abolition of slavery, he was the son of a German immigrant and an Afro-Brazilian woman.

Despite his success as an athlete, Friedenreich had to change his appearance to gain more acceptance on the field. She straightened her hair and brightened her skin with cosmetics. The player was not called up to the 1921 Copa América because only white athletes were accepted that year.

Who was Arthur Friedenreich?

The career of the actor began at the age of 17. SC Germanyis a club linked to German culture. With the talent recorded by other teams, Mackenzie also played for Ypiranga, Paysandu, Paulistano, Santos and São Paulo and played last for Flamengo.

Between 1914-1925 he was called up to the Brazilian national team. accumulating titles Copa America 1919 and 1922when the tournament didn’t have that name yet.

Also known as ‘.El Tigre’continuing to play even after losing two teeth in one game because of the fiery spirit on the field, Friedenreich reportedly scored 1,329 career goalsbut few records of the time preclude the official number.

Arthur retired at the age of 43 and died in 1969 at the age of 77. In addition Naming a park in the East region of São Paulo, it even became an award name: between 2008 and 2021, Rede Globo awarded the Arthur Friedenreich Award to the top scorer of each season. He plays for a Brazilian club.