Barbuy Amilcar was born in Rio das Pedras (Sāo Paulo) on April 29, 1893. He was the son of Italian immigrants from near Venice.
He started his playing career with Corinthians in 1912. He stayed 11 seasons and played 208 league games with 89 goals. He won the Campeonato Paulista four times (1914, 1915, 1922 and 1923). Between 1915 and 1920 he also had spells as player-manager.
In 1923 he joined rivals Palestra Italia, later to be called Palmeiras. The reason for this change of allegiances is said to be connected to Corinthians director illegally taking control of the bar Amilcar's father owned and ran near the ground. Waiting for apologies that never materialised, Barbuy Amilcar accepted the offer of rival club Palestra Italia to join them instead.
He stayed with the "Verdao" for seven years. He played 100 league games and scored 11 goals. He won another two Paulista league titles and between 1924 and 1929 was also player-manager.
In the years 1916-24 he also played for Brazil. He won the Copa America twice (1919, 1927). He won 19 caps and scored 5 goals.
In June 1931 he arrived at Lazio as player-manager. The dynamics of this choice are not clear but it is possibly connected to the presence at Lazio of two Brazilian former Palestra Italia players, Joao Fantoni I and Octavio Fantoni II.
Amilcar took charge for the last three games of the 1930-31 season. Lazio lost 2-3 away to Ambrosiana-Inter but then beat Triestina 1-0 and Modena 2-0 both at home. The Biancocelesti finished 8th and Amilcar was kept on.
In 1931-32 Lazio became Brasilazio. Seven more Brazilians arrived: defenders Armando Del Debbio (Corinthians), Pedro Rizzetti (Palmeiras), Enzio Enrique Serafini (Palmeiras) and forwards José Castelli (Corinthians), Alejandro Demaria (Corinthians), Anfilogino Guarisi (Corinthians) and André Emanuel Tedesco (Santos).
The main players leaving were defenders Renato Bottacini (Rovigo), Alfredo Foni (Padova), midfielders Leopoldo Caimmi (Atalanta), Gino Lamon (Robur Siena) and forwards Riccardo Okely, Pietro Pastore (Milan) and Luigi Ziroli (Palermo).
Lazio did not have a great season and finished 13th. One problem was that the Brazilians were naive tactically and unaccustomed to following strict instructions. The best result of the season was defeating future champions Juventus 2-1 away. Lazio risked relegation but ultimately managed to stay up with a 9-1 win against Modena. Top scorer was Filó Guarisi with 12 goals. Amilcar made one league appearance.
Amilcar then returned to Brazil and Austrian Karl Stürmer took over at Lazio. Only one more Brazilian arrived, Leonízio Fantoni III but one also left, André Emanuel Tedesco.
In 1934 Amilcar became Corinthians manager for two years, then São Paulo for a season followed by a brief spell at Corinthians again. He then managed Portuguesa, Portuguesa Santista and Atlético Mineiro.
As a player Amilcar started off as a forward but later in his career played in midfield. He was a prolific striker for Corinthians especially. His performances with the "Timão" (Super team) earned him 19 games for Brazil.
As a manager he won 4 Paulista titles. At Lazio he struggled, but maybe there were too many Brazilian players signed all at the same time.
Amilcar died in Sāo Paulo on August 24, 1965.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances |
1931-32 | 1 |
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