Juca Baleia


Juvenal Marinho dos Passos, better known by the nickname Juca Baleia, is a Brazilian former professional footballer and manager who played as a goalkeeper.

Career

Juca started in the youth teams of Sampaio Corrêa, but it was at rival Maranhão where he played most of the 1980s. Due to the problems he faced with being overweight, he gained the nickname "Juca Baleia". At this time, he claimed that his good performance in goal decreased whenever he tried to lose weight. In 1990 he left folklore to shine at the club that revealed him, Sampaio Corrêa, becoming three-time state champions.
In 1992, he became nationally known after a great performance in a match against Palmeiras, at the 1992 Copa do Brasil. Juca treasures goalkeeper Carlos Gallo's shirt, received as a gift on that occasion.
Juca was coach of Expressinho in the 2014 Second Level conquest, and in the following years he started working at Santa Quitéria.

Honours

Player

Sampaio Corrêa

Manager

Expressinho