Brito (footballer, born 1939)

Brito

Brito in 1965
Personal information
Full name	Hércules de Brito Ruas
Date of birth	(1939-08-09)9 August 1939
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date of death	11 June 2026(2026-06-11) (aged 86)
Place of death	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1955–1959	Vasco da Gama	80	(7)
1959–1960	Internacional	5	(1)
1960–1969	Vasco da Gama	120	(6)
1969–1970	Flamengo	11	(0)
1970–1971	Cruzeiro	31	(1)
1971–1974	Botafogo	63	(0)
1974	Corinthians	29	(3)
1974–1975	Atlético Paranaense	7	(1)
1975	Montreal Castors	7	(2)
1975	Deportivo Galicia	5	(1)
1975–1979	Democrata	28	(1)
1979	Ríver	9	(3)
Total		410	(26)
International career
1964–1972	Brazil	45	(1)
Medal record Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1970 Mexico
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hércules de Brito Ruas (9 August 1939 – 11 June 2026), known as Brito, was a Brazilian footballer. He played as a central defender many teams in Brazil, as well as Canadian National Soccer League side Montreal Castors in 1975.^[1] He also played 45 matches for the Brazil national team between 1964 and 1972,^[2] and helped them win the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Brito was regarded to be one of the best defenders in the history of Vasco da Gama. He was known as a classic defender as a great tackler, leader, man-marking opponent and a quick and tireless runner.

He started his career at Vasco da Gama, his favorite team, in 1960, replacing Bellini, two-time world champion with the Brazilian national team. In 1971, in a classic between Botafogo and Vasco, the Vasco defender punched referee José Aldo Pereira, after a penalty was awarded against Botafogo. For the assault, he received a year's suspension. He stayed at the Rio club for 10 years. He was champion of the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1966 for the club. He arrived at Cruzeiro shortly after the 1970 FIFA World Cup, on loan from Flamengo, where he had a falling out with Yustrich. For Toca da Raposa, he played only 31 games until February 1971. In one of them, against Flamengo, after a 3-1 victory, in heavy rain, at Mineirão, the player ran towards the opponent's bench and threw his shirt at Yustrich, who tried to leave the tunnel in pursuit, but was held back by members of the coaching staff and reserve players. Raposa reached the semifinals of Robertão, the Brazilian at the time, and Brito entered the team for the first Silver Ball of the newly created Score Magazine. At the end of the loan, the athlete ended up transferring to Botafogo. He defended Corinthians in 1974 for 29 games (12 wins, 7 draws, 10 defeats), and scored 3 goals in favor and even scored an own goal. He also played for Internacional, Atlético Paranaense, Deportivo Galicia and River-PI.

Brito made his debut for the Brazilian national team on May 30, 1964 during a friendly match against England. In total, he made 45 appearances for the Seleção, and played at two world cups. He was selected for the 1966 World Cup in England and played one match as a starter at the tournament, which was extremely disappointing because Brazil failed in the group stage. Brito was also selected for the 1970 World Cup, and he became a strongman in the Brazilians' defense at that tournament. Brito played all matches, including the final against Italy, and won the third world title for Brazil with the team. He was considered the best fit player at the 1970 World Cup by the WHO, Legend has it that during the preparation for this Cup, he broke a gym equipment while exercising. For Selecão, he made 45 between 1964 and 1972 and he scored once.

Brito died on 11 June 2026 from pneumonia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at age of 86.^[3]

Vasco da Gama

• Campeonato Carioca: 1956
• Tournoi de Paris: 1957
• Torneio Rio–São Paulo: 1966
• Taça Guanabara: 1965

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1970
• Roca Cup: 1971
• Brazil Independence Cup: 1972

Individual

• Placar's Bola de Prata (Silver Ball): 1970

• Brito Caps Record
• Honours of Brito