Trindades famosas
Wilbra | 20/04/1951

Famous attacking trios passed through the national lawns. Some more efficient than others. Compounds of brighter stars. Superiors, sometimes for the effectiveness, sometimes for the beauty of the game they put into practice. The clubs have recorded these trios in their history. Happy remembrance of the idols that the years no longer bring. They were hidden and covered with dust.

In the past, Corinthians fans stood up when they saw Neco, Gamba and Rato maneuver in the opposite field. They did everything. It was the attacking trio of 1929. It was rivaling another. It was Santos's. Formed by Camarão, Feitiço and Araken. If among Corinthians fans Neco had more poster because, in fact, he had more class and more resources, among Santos, attention was focused on Feitiço, in anticipation of a head blow or a treacherous kick that would make the opposing networks swing.

But, there was that trio that Paulistano took to Europe, in 1925, Mario Andrada, Friedenreich and Araken. The Europeans just smiled and clapped at them because they knew their defenses couldn't hold them back. Three stars at the same time. In a team that faced its adversaries on the basis of an unprecedented superiority. They came back carrying glories that few national stars have achieved abroad. Later, when Mario Andrada decided to quit football at a very young age, Armandinho appeared. In São Paulo, Armandinho, Friedenreich and Araken made misery to defenses.

Then came the three-time title of Palmeiras, then Palestra-Italia, in 1932, 33 and 34. With it, Gabardo, Romeu and Lara performed ingenious plays. Romeu revealed himself, running towards the celebrity. Shortly after, his transfer to Fluminense caused serious embezzlement for football in São Paulo. Gabardo and Lara, active, perceptive, commanded the actions, at a time when their game was liberal and not subject to the variations caused by the diagonal. Between the two, Romeu became the top scorer in São Paulo in 1932.

Years later, Romeu was once again a member of an exceptional trio: Romeu, Russo and Tim. It was a delight for the Laranjeiras fans to see these three destroy a rearguard. Romeu and Russo, more positive. Tim, more of a juggler, showed more vanity. With the three, Fluminense achieved memorable triumphs, including titles that its history has saved.

At the same time, in Botafogo, the trio Carvalho Leite, Pascoal and Perácio dominated. And at Flamengo, Waldemar de Brito, Leônidas and Gonzalez. Meanwhile, we had in São Paulo, Corinthians, Servilio, Teleco and Carlinhos. Less projection elements, but still becoming famous as defense dismantlers. The biggest of the three was, arguably, the one Flamengo had the good fortune to organize, to give countless joys to their fans: Waldemar de Brito, Leônidas and Gonzalez.

The time was passing. A few trios were going. Others came to be famous too. One initially emerged: Valdemar Fiume, Viladonica and Lima. The great midfielder from Palmeiras had magnificent resources, which was imposed by his personality, alongside Claudio. Viladonica had left Vasco with the honor of a centre-forward capable of rivaling the most complete on the continent. Lima was at his height, and needless to say. The fans of Parque Antartica did not get tired of praising them. They deserved these expressions of sympathy and trust.

Meanwhile, Madureira launched for posterity a trio that would be one of the most discussed and most popular of the generation: Lelé, Isaias and Jair. They were a hell and a continual torment for the contrarians. They moved together to Vasco da Gama, and there they reached the top. Isaiah, betrayed by an illness he had not expected, closed his eyes forever, watched with sadness by the two companions of glory. Lelé is gaining more fans at Ponte Preta, in Campinas, Jair is still the same phenomenal player in the Brazilian team. This trio had moments that left fans dazzled.

At Botafogo, Geninho, Heleno and Gonzalez were heroes of great deeds. Considered the number one attacking trio in Rio de Janeiro football, in 1942. It surpassed others with consummate leaps. Geninho had reached his climax, Heleno was consecrating himself. Meanwhile, Gonzalez transferred to General Severiano with the drool of experience and the titles he had won in Flamengo. This, in turn, presented Zizinho, Pirilo and Perácio as three capable, dangerous men who left their markers stunned, confirming a truly spectacular trio.

The time of the rise of São Paulo came. Sastre, Leônidas and Remo, making up the advanced triplet, were soldiers in the restoration of the power that had escaped the tricolor since 1931. This was a real trio. Their names speak for their efficiency. Sastre, considered the most perfect footballer to appear in Argentina in the last twenty years. Leônidas, who the Europeans called the center forward champion of the world. Rowing, the spring that served as a bridge for many feats of the São Paulo team. Three names for the history of the clubs they passed through. Back in Rio, Maneco, Cesar and Lima, in top form, were real devils messing with the nerves of their markers.

The succession of attacking trios continued. Each one more spectacular. One appeared in Vasco, to replace the one that destiny separated, since the death of Isaias: Maneca, Ademir and Ipojucan. Afterwards, Ademir, Heleno and Maneca. Both great. Both colossal. Ademir, in a highlighted plane. Maneca, always brilliant. Heleno returned to captivate, with his magnificent game, but ended up falling into the excess of attitudes that have been the ruin of his career. All went to the selection.

The 1950 Rio-São Paulo Tournament showed us Luizinho, Baltazar and Nelsinho, constituting an infernal trio. All boasting auspicious stage. Baltazar with a head full of praise for the excellence that colored his performances. Luizinho emerging as the promise that today is indisputable reality. Nelsinho putting his vigor at the service of Corinthians' victories. How far has the Corintihans progressed with this trio.

Now he starts to paint a big triplet. Aquiles, Liminha and Jair. Three gunners. Achilles, more fiery. Liminha, more impetuous. Jair, more cerebral. The cariocas boast of having Maneco, Dimas and Ranulfo as a powerful weapon for balance in this sector. I have no doubts in giving the primacy to Palmeiras. At the very least, there is more class and more game awareness among the three that make it up. Until the other day, Ipiranga had Rubens, Liminha and Bibe, in the consummation of a trio with notorious technical attributes. They dispersed, going their separate ways.