1.08.2024Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month II: Jorginho will be 60

Jorge de Amorim Campos, better known as Jorginho or Jorgi as we always called him, was born on 17 August 1964 in the Cascadura neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. His father died when he was ten years old and one of his sisters passed away just three months later. His oldest brother was an alcoholic, his youngest brother a drug addict. At the age of 13, Jorginho decided to become a football player. After his older brother suddenly became a Christian at the age of 25 and completely changed his life, Jorginho decided at the age of 21 to do the same and accepted Jesus Christ in his life.

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From 1978 he played in the youth set-up at America FC and he moved up to the first team in 1982. He signed for Flamengo in 1984, winning the city championship of Rio de Janeiro two years later and in the following season the Brazil league title. In 1989 he was the second Brazilian player after Tita to sign for the Werkself. Originally a right back, Jorginho played in holding midfield for Bayer 04 in the first two years and was always close to the action. In the 1991/92 season, coach Reinhard Saftig made him captain and put the very talented player on the right side of defence in his regular position. Soon after arriving in Leverkusen, Jorginho set up a Bible reading class, which one or two players used to regularly take part in. As the team captain and a practising Christian he always presented the captain of the opposing team with a Bible signed by him at the toss-up.

After his third season at Leverkusen, where he made 101 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Werkself, he was unable to resist the call of Bayern Munich. He stayed in the Bavarian capital for two and a half years and he won the Bundesliga title with FC Bayern in 1994 and the World Cup with Brazil in the USA in the same year. In the winter break in the 1994/95 season he moved on to Japan to play for Kashima Antlers. In his four years there, Jorginho won the league title four times with his team and was also voted J League Player of the Year in 1996. After returning to Brazil he played for FC São Paulo, Vasco de Gama and Fluminense before ending his playing career in 2002.

After his retirement as a player, he was head or assistant coach for a number of teams including being the Brazil assistant coach from 2006 to 2010. His latest post as a coach was in Thailand where he led Buriram United to the league title a few months ago.

In 2000, Jorginho with his friend Bebeto, also a former Brazil international, set up an institute in Rio de Janeiro for children from deprived backgrounds. The organisation helps children and teenagers to improve their lives through sport, education, culture, art and professionalism.

With his wife Christina Jorginho has three daughters and one son. The family is again living in Rio de Janeiro.

Dear Jorgi, I wish you all the best. Stay as you are and, above all, remain healthy!

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