José Altafini

José Altafini, born on August 27, 1938 in Piracicaba, SP, is one of the most singular players in football history for having represented two countries in World Cups — Brazil in 1958 and Italy in 1962. Nicknamed Mazzola for his resemblance to Italian idol Valentino Mazzola, Altafini collected goals and titles in two of the greatest European leagues. He started his career at Palmeiras, where he stood out as a center forward with great finishing power. In 1958, he was called up to the Brazilian National Team and participated in the conquest of the World Cup in Sweden, scoring two goals in the tournament. That would, however, be his only World Cup wearing the yellow shirt. Transferred to AC Milan in 1958, he made history by scoring 14 goals in the European Cup in the 1962-63 season, a historical record that lasted for decades and was fundamental to Milan's conquest of the European title. He became an Italian citizen and represented the Azzurri in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. Altafini also shined at Napoli, becoming an idol of Neapolitan fans. He passed away on November 5, 2023, in Parma, at the age of 85, leaving the rare legacy of one who marked eras in two countries and became the historical leading scorer of the European Cup.