Jefinho (Paralympic footballer)

Jefinho
Personal information
Full nameJeferson da Conceição Gonçalves
Born5 October 1989 (1989-10-05) (age 35)
Candeias, Bahia, Brazil
Sport
CountryBrazil
SportBlind football (5-a-side football)
Medal record
Men's five-a-side football
Representing  Brazil
Paralympic Games
2008 Beijing Men's
2012 London Men's
2016 Rio de Janeiro Men's
2020 Tokyo Men's
2024 Paris Men's
Parapan American Games
2007 Rio de Janeiro Men's
2011 Guadalajara Men's
2015 Toronto Men's
2019 Lima Men's
2023 Santiago Men's
World Blind Football Championships
2010 Hereford Men's
2014 Tokyo Men's
2018 Madrid Men's
2023 Birmingham Men's

Jeferson da Conceição Gonçalves (born 5 October 1989) is a Brazilian Paralympic 5-a-side football player.[1][2]

Early life

Jefinho was born in 1989 in Candeias, Brazil.[3] He became blind at the age of seven after suffering from glaucoma.[4][5]

Career

Jefinho has been regarded as one of the best blind football players worldwide.[6] He debuted for the Brazil national blind football team in 2006 at the age of fourteen.[7]

He was selected to play at the Rio Parapan American Games and the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2007 and 2008 respectively where he won gold medals at both events.[8]

At London 2012, Jefinho, or the “Paralympic Pelé” as he is sometimes known, also starred in the final, as Brazil beat France 2-0.[9]

In 2014, Jefinho was one of the best players of the tournament at the 2014 World Championships where Brazil retained its world title with a win over Argentina.

Style of play

Jefinho is known for his speed.[10]

Personal life

Jefinho is nicknamed the "Paralympic Pelé" after Brazil international Pelé.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "Meet Jefinho: The 'Paralympic Pele' who has fired Brazil to the brink of 5-a-side glory in Rio". Mirror. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ "Paralympic Pele: Brazil hails blind soccer star". USA TODAY.
  3. ^ Santos, Sonilton (16 September 2021). "Pentacampeão paralímpico do futebol de cinco, candeiense Jefinho completa 15 anos de atuação com a verde e amarela". destaque1.com.
  4. ^ "Recuperado, Jefinho vive expectativa de disputar quinta Paralimpíada pelo Brasil". CBDV.
  5. ^ "Watch: Blind footballer dubbed 'Paralympic Pele' dribbles on par with Neymar". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Jefinho se prepara para o tri paraolímpico no Rio". uol.com.br.
  7. ^ "Jefinho, el 'Pelé paralímpico' ciego que ya tiene cuatro oros consecutivos". marca.com.
  8. ^ "Jeferson Goncalves". International Paralympic Committee. 5 October 1989. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Paralympic Pele: Brazil hails blind soccer star". AP News. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Jefinho: el 'Pelé paralímpico'". marca.com.
  11. ^ "Jefinho, el crack que ganó todo y quiere más". International Paralympic Committee.
  12. ^ Spink, Alex (17 September 2016). "Meet Jefinho: The 'Paralympic Pele' who has fired Brazil towards of Rio glory". The Mirror. Retrieved 3 June 2024.