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The former Brazilian full-back Ze Carlos, who helped his team reach the 1998 World Cup final, passed away on Friday at the age of 56, his former club Sao Paulo confirmed. His legacy continues to be celebrated by those who admired his passion and skill.
Sao Paulo FC did not provide details on the cause of death, but local sources indicated it was a result of cardiac arrest, a loss that has resonated deeply with the football community.
“It is with great sorrow that Sao Paulo FC announce the death of Jose Carlos de Almeida, Ze Carlos, this Friday in Osasco, near Sao Paulo,” said a statement from the club where he played from 1997 to 1999.
Ze Carlos had yet to make an international appearance when he was unexpectedly called up as a replacement for Flavio Conceicao in Brazil’s 1998 World Cup squad. His selection was a memorable moment in his career, marking his entry onto the world stage.
Ze Carlos remained on the bench throughout Brazil’s group stage games and later in the knockout rounds, including their matches against Chile in the round of 16 and Denmark in the quarter-finals. Although he didn’t play, his presence on the squad added depth to Brazil’s lineup.
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Ze Carlos earned his first and only cap during the semi-final match against the Netherlands, stepping in for Cafu. Brazil went on to claim victory in a dramatic penalty shootout, making his brief time on the field a historic highlight of his career.
He returned to the bench for the 3-0 defeat by Zinedine Zidane’s France in the final and was never selected to play for Brazil again, retiring in 2005.
