Manuel Francisco dos Santos, his given name, was world champion twice, 1958 and 1962. During the World Cup in Chile, when Pele was out after the second match with an injury, Garrincha had the major role in Brazil's conquest.
Garrincha was as brilliant on the pitch as he was wild off of it. He is known as the greatest dribbler in soccer history. Even though he was born with crippled legs and retained a distorted left leg even after an operation, he never let this affect his wonderful ball skills, making some of the most beautiful soccer performances ever.
Garrincha (the "songbird") died in January 1983 of alcohol abuse.
