Ex-Brazilian Soccer Star Leivinha Dies At 76 After Battle With Alzheimer’s

Former Brazil international João Leiva Campos Filho, popularly known as Leivinha, has died at the age of 76 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The former Palmeiras and Atletico Madrid winger, who was also the uncle of former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, earned 27 caps for Brazil and featured in three matches at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Leivinha, widely regarded as one of Brazil’s most talented footballers of the 1970s, passed away on Thursday due to complications arising from the debilitating illness he had battled for several years.

Paying tribute to one of its greatest icons, Palmeiras described Leivinha as a symbol of the club’s famed “Second Academy” era that captivated Brazilian football in the early 1970s.

“João Leiva Campos Filho, one of the great idols of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, passed away on Thursday,” the club said in a statement.

“A star with both his feet and his head, Leivinha was one of the symbols of the Second Academy, which enchanted Brazil in the first half of the 1970s.

“A quick-touch attacking midfielder with excellent finishing, he ranks among the 15 greatest goalscorers in the club’s history and among the top five who scored the most for the team in the Brazilian Championship. In total, there were 267 games, 108 goals scored, and a legacy that has spanned generations.”

Spanish club Atletico Madrid, where Leivinha enjoyed a successful spell after leaving Brazil, also paid tribute to the former winger.

“Atlético de Madrid is mourning the passing of our former player João Leiva Campos Filho ‘Leivinha’, who passed away on Thursday, June 4, at the age of 76,” the club said.

“Born in Novo Horizonte, Brazil, on September 11, 1949, the winger joined our club in 1975.

“He made his debut for the Rojiblancos on September 28 of that same year in a match against Salamanca at the Vicente Calderón, in which he scored three goals.

“During his four years at our club, he played 93 matches and scored 43 goals, helping us win the 1977 National League Championship.

“Our president, CEO, the rest of the Board of Directors and all our staff wish to express our deepest condolences and share in the family’s grief. May he rest in peace.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, who made 346 appearances for the English club between 2007 and 2017, also paid an emotional tribute to his uncle.

Sharing a photograph of the Brazilian legend, Lucas wrote: “I’m sure you’re going to score a lot of goals with your head in Heaven.

“Rest in peace uncle.”

Leivinha was celebrated for his dribbling ability, vision, precise passing, powerful shooting and exceptional heading skills.

He began his professional career with Portuguesa before joining Palmeiras in 1971, where he scored 108 goals in 267 appearances and helped the club win two Brazilian league titles.

After moving to Europe in 1975, he enjoyed a successful stint with Atletico Madrid before returning to Brazil at the end of the decade to join São Paulo.

Despite his immense talent, injuries forced him to retire from professional football at the age of 29. Following his retirement, he worked as a football commentator and analyst, remaining close to the sport he loved.

Leivinha is remembered as one of the standout Brazilian footballers of his generation and leaves behind a lasting legacy in both Brazilian and Spanish football.