# Orlando Peçanha

> Brazilian footballer (1935-2010)

**Wikidata**: [Q438483](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q438483)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Peçanha)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/orlando-pecanha

## Summary
Orlando Peçanha was a Brazilian footballer who played as a defender during the 1950s and 1960s. He was part of the Brazilian national team that won the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.

## Biography
- Born: September 20, 1935
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Winning the 1958 FIFA World Cup with Brazil
- Employer(s): Vasco da Gama, Santos FC, Bangu
- Field(s): Professional football (soccer)

## Contributions
Orlando Peçanha's primary contribution to football was as a member of the Brazilian national team that won the 1958 FIFA World Cup. This tournament marked Brazil's first World Cup victory and established the country as a football powerhouse. Peçanha played as a defender during this tournament, contributing to Brazil's defensive stability while the team featured legendary players like Pelé, Garrincha, and Didi.

## FAQs
**What position did Orlando Peçanha play?**
Orlando Peçanha played as a defender, typically in the center-back position, during his professional football career.

**Which clubs did Orlando Peçanha play for?**
Orlando Peçanha played for several Brazilian clubs including Vasco da Gama, Santos FC, and Bangu during his professional career.

**What was Orlando Peçanha's most significant achievement?**
His most significant achievement was being part of the Brazilian national team that won the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden, Brazil's first World Cup title.

**When did Orlando Peçanha die?**
Orlando Peçanha passed away on February 10, 2010, at the age of 74.

**How tall was Orlando Peçanha?**
Orlando Peçanha was 177 cm (approximately 5 feet 10 inches) tall.

## Why They Matter
Orlando Peçanha matters in football history as a member of Brazil's first World Cup-winning team in 1958. This victory was transformative for Brazilian football, establishing the nation's reputation as the sport's most successful country. The 1958 World Cup team introduced the world to Pelé and established the attacking, creative style of play that would become synonymous with Brazilian football. Peçanha's contribution as a defender helped provide the defensive foundation that allowed Brazil's attacking players to express themselves freely, contributing to the 5-2 victory over Sweden in the final.

## Notable For
- Member of Brazil's 1958 FIFA World Cup-winning team
- Played alongside Pelé during Santos FC's golden era
- Represented Brazil in international competitions
- Part of the generation that established Brazil as a football superpower
- Played for multiple successful Brazilian clubs including Vasco da Gama and Santos

## Body
### Early Life and Career Beginnings
Orlando Peçanha de Carvalho was born on September 20, 1935, in Brazil. He began his professional football career in the early 1950s, making his debut around 1953. As a young defender, Peçanha developed his skills in Brazil's competitive football environment during a period when the country was establishing itself as a major force in international football.

### Club Career
Throughout his club career, Peçanha played for several prominent Brazilian teams. He had stints with Vasco da Gama, one of Rio de Janeiro's most traditional clubs, and Santos FC, which during his time there was building the legendary team that would feature Pelé. He also played for Bangu, another Rio-based club. His time at Santos coincided with the club's emergence as a global football powerhouse, though he played alongside rather than as part of the core attacking trio that would make Santos famous worldwide.

### International Career and 1958 World Cup
Peçanha's most significant achievement came as part of the Brazilian national team that won the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. This tournament was historic as it marked Brazil's first World Cup victory and introduced Pelé to the world stage. As a defender, Peçanha contributed to Brazil's defensive organization while the team's attacking players, including Pelé (who scored twice in the final), Vavá, and Zagallo, provided the offensive firepower. The 5-2 victory over Sweden in the final established Brazil as a football superpower and began the nation's legacy of World Cup success.

### Physical Characteristics
Orlando Peçanha stood at 177 cm (approximately 5 feet 10 inches) tall and weighed 66 kg during his playing career. These physical attributes were typical for a defender of his era, providing him with the balance of height and agility needed for the center-back position.

### Later Life and Legacy
After his playing career, Peçanha remained part of Brazil's football history as a member of the pioneering 1958 World Cup team. He passed away on February 10, 2010, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy as part of the generation that established Brazil's football dominance. His contribution to Brazil's first World Cup victory helped lay the foundation for the country's subsequent successes in 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002, making Brazil the only nation to win five World Cup titles.

## References

1. Argentine Soccer Database
2. [Source](http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/mat/2010/02/10/orlando-pecanha-campeao-do-mundo-em-1958-morre-aos-74-anos-915834108.asp)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013