Marinho Chagas

Marinho Chagas died on 31 May 2014 in João Pessoa (RN), from a digestive hemorrhage. At the time of his death, he was working as a sports commentator for a station in Natal. He was 62 years of age. The former full back had been battling alcoholism in his later years, seeking treatment for illnesses related to his drinking.

Marinho Chagas was a father of three, two sons and a daughter as well as a grandfather to three. In an interview in 2013, he joked that he might have other children, given his wild ways, but that none of them come forward to claim him as their father.

In 1991, he was hired to coach the El Paso Patriots, an amateur team competing in the Southwest Independent Soccer League.

Back in Brazil he won with São Paulo FC the State Championship of São Paulo of 1981, the most notable title of his career, overcoming AA Ponte Preta in the finals 1-1, 2-0. His personal performance in this year yield him a third Bola de Prata of the specialist magazine Placar.

Marinho was born in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. He played left-back with Botafogo FR of Rio and the Brazilian national team. He played the Football World Cup 1974. He was a skilful and innovative right footed left back who was considered at the time one of the top players at his position. He was an attack minded full-back with a powerful shot, and is considered a pioneer, becoming very influential in helping the lateral position evolve into what it is in today's Brazilian football.

With Brazil's national team Chagas played 36 matches (8 non-official) and scored four goals between 1973 and 1977. He made his debut for the national team in a friendly match defeat to Sweden in June 1973. He started in every match during the 1974 FIFA World Cup, and was part of a very solid defense which only conceded 4 goals in 7 matches on their way to a 4th-place finish. Chagas played his last game for Brazil in June 1977 against Yugoslavia.

He travelled the world and played for many different clubs in Brazil, the US and Germany, always showing great skill and quality, but not settling anywhere for too long. His longest stint was with Botafogo, where he stayed four years from 1972 to 1976.

Francisco das Chagas Marinho (8 February 1952 – 31 May 2014), generally known as Marinho Chagas or Francisco Marinho, was a Brazilian association footballer. One of the best left backs of his era, he is best known for his flowing curly blond hair and his performance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil finished fourth. At club level he is mostly associated with Botafogo FR of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo FC, but he played for numerous other teams, as well as in the North American Soccer League, in a career which spanned from 1969 to 1987.