In the 1990s he was two-time champion of Paulista and Brasileirão

A reference in Palmeiras’ defense in the 1990s, Tonhão died this Tuesday (22), aged 55. Through social media, his daughter announced the death of her father, who was hospitalized. The cause of death was not revealed. Antônio Carlos da Costa Gonçalves, better known as Tonhão, collected titles with the alviverde shirt: he won the historic Campeonato Paulista in 1993, breaking a title drought that lasted 16 years, and the following year he won his second state championship. In the same period he was two-time champion of the Brazilian Championship.

“With the greatest pain I have ever felt, I inform you that my father rested today. He was very strong, very warrior and fought until the end. My greatest love now takes care of us from heaven. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who prayed, supported him and for all the affection they always had for him”, said Jéssica Louzada in a post on Instagram. Through social media, Palmeiras and the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) mourned the death and paid tribute to the Palmeiras idol.

Through social media, Palmeiras and the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) mourned the death of the former player and paid tribute to the Palmeiras idol.

Born at Palmeiras, where he arrived at the age of 11, Tonhão was loaned to Araxá-MG and Nacional-SP, and returned to Verdão in 1992, a time when the club was rebuilding – it began to be managed by the multinational Parmalat, which is also a sponsor.

Tonhão had spells at other clubs such as Goiás, Internacional and Inter de Limeira, among others, until he ended his career in 2003.