Osvaldo Cunha Obituary, Cause of Death: What Happened to Brazilian Footballer? How Did He Die?
Osvaldo Cunha, a former Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right-back for Guarani, São Paulo, Corinthians, and América Mineiro, passed away on 27 February 2024, at the age of 80. He was one of the most respected and admired players of his generation, known for his physical strength, defensive skills, and leadership qualities.
He also contributed to the development of young footballers as a coach and teacher after his retirement. In this article, we will pay tribute to his life and career, and remember some of his achievements and highlights.
Early Life and Career
Osvaldo Domingues da Cunha was born on 22 April 1943 in Pedreira, a small town in the state of São Paulo. He grew up playing football with his friends and family and joined the local amateur club Santa Sofia when he was a teenager. He soon caught the attention of Guarani, a professional team from Campinas, and signed his first contract with them in 1961.
He made his debut for Guarani in the Campeonato Paulista, the top division of the São Paulo state championship, and quickly established himself as a regular starter. He played for Guarani for four seasons, helping them to finish in the top four in 1963 and 1964. He also earned his nickname “Pedreira” (which means “quarry” in Portuguese), due to his hard and solid style of play.
Osvaldo Cunha Obituary
| Full Name | Osvaldo Domingues da Cunha |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 April 1943 |
| Place of Birth | Pedreira, Brazil |
| Date of Death | 27 February 2024 |
| Place of Death | Pedreira, Brazil |
| Death Cause | Suffering from a heart condition |
| Position | Right-back |
| Youth Career | EC Santa Sofia (Pedreira) |
| Senior Career | Guarani (1961–1964), São Paulo (1965–1967), Corinthians (1967–1970), América Mineiro (1971–1972) |
| Appearances (Goals) | São Paulo: 77 (1), Corinthians: 64 (1) |
| Honours | Campeonato Mineiro: 1971 with América Mineiro |
| Wikipedia | @Osvaldo_Cunha |
São Paulo and Corinthians
In 1965, Osvaldo Cunha moved to São Paulo, one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Brazil. He played for São Paulo for three seasons, making 77 appearances and scoring one goal. He was part of the team that won the Torneio Rio-São Paulo in 1966, a prestigious competition that featured the best teams from the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. He also played in the Copa Libertadores, the continental club tournament, in 1966 and 1967, reaching the semi-finals in both editions.
In 1967, Cunha transferred to Corinthians, another giant of Brazilian football and São Paulo’s arch-rival. He played for Corinthians for four seasons, making 64 appearances and scoring one goal. He was part of the team that won the Campeonato Paulista in 1968 and 1969, ending a nine-year drought for the club. He also played in the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, the precursor of the Brazilian national championship, in 1967 and 1968, finishing as the runner-up in both editions.
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América Mineiro and Retirement
In 1971, Cunha moved to América Mineiro, a club from Belo Horizonte, the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. He played for América for two seasons, helping them to win the Campeonato Mineiro, the top division of the Minas Gerais state championship, in 1971. He also played in the Campeonato Brasileiro, the newly created Brazilian national championship, in 1971 and 1972, finishing in the top 10 in both editions.
Osvaldo Cunha retired from professional football in 1972, at the age of 29. He then became a football teacher and coach, working with youth categories of several clubs, such as Guarani, São Paulo, Corinthians, and América Mineiro. He also worked as a scout and a commentator for local radio stations. He dedicated his life to the sport he loved and inspired many young players with his passion and knowledge.
Death and Legacy
Osvaldo Cunha died on 27 February 2024, at the age of 80, in his hometown of Pedreira. He had been suffering from a heart condition for some time and passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren. His funeral was attended by hundreds of fans, friends, and former teammates, who paid their respects and honored his memory.
Cunha is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the history of Brazilian football. He played 215 games and scored three goals in his career, winning five titles and two runner-up medals. He was also selected for the Brazilian national team in 1966, but did not play in the World Cup that year. He is remembered for his loyalty, professionalism, and humility, as well as his skill, strength, and leadership. He is a legend and an example for generations of footballers and fans.
Career Statistics
| Club | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guarani | 1961-1964 | 74 | 0 |
| São Paulo | 1965-1967 | 77 | 1 |
| Corinthians | 1967-1970 | 64 | 1 |
| América Mineiro | 1971-1972 | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 1961-1972 | 215 | 3 |
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