Vanderlei, Libertadores champion for Cruzeiro, dies at 79
A graduate of Cásper Líbero, with a postgraduate degree in political marketing and electoral propaganda from USP. He worked for ESPN's website, covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China. He also worked for Metrópoles, InfoMoney, O Antagonista, iG, and Terra, covering politics and economy. As a press advisor, he worked in the Chamber of Deputies and the Ministry of Culture. He is the author of the books “Dias: a Vida do Maior Jogador do São Paulo nos Anos 1960” and “20 Jogos Eternos do São Paulo”.
TL;DR
- Vanderlei Lázaro, an idol and left-back for Cruzeiro, died on November 9, 2026, at age 79.
- He was a starter and idol in Cruzeiro's historic 1976 Copa Libertadores campaign.
- Vanderlei played 536 games for Cruzeiro between 1968 and 1978, ranking 7th in all-time appearances.
- His titles with Cruzeiro include the 1976 Libertadores, six Campeonato Mineiro titles, and one Taça Minas Gerais.
- He was also a runner-up in the 1976 Intercontinental Cup against Bayern Munich.
- The wake will be held on November 10 at Cemitério da Paz in Belo Horizonte.
- Vanderlei began his career at Nacional de Uberaba and also played for América-MG, Corinthians, and Londrina.