At RootsTech Connect 2021, we had the opportunity to learn about legendary soccer player Tita during his keynote address! Tita spoke about his professional soccer career, his family, and the profound influence both have had on his life.
Tita the Soccer Star
Tita, also known as Milton Queiroz da Paixão, is known as one of Brazil’s best soccer players in its history. He was only 18 when he entered the professional league Flamengo, which was Brazil’s most popular team at the time. Tita is well-known for playing the forward position.
At the young age of 20, Tita was named Brazil’s Soccer Selection while playing for Brazil’s national team. During his time on the team, Brazil’s national team won the 1989 Copa America. Tita continued playing, and he participated in the 1990 World Cup, where his team made it to round 16.
He played in 32 international matches for the national Brazil team between 1979 and 1990 and scored six goals. In his club career, he scored over 135 goals.
Tita went on to play for clubs in Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Guatemala. He played with soccer legends such as Zico and helped Bayer Leverkusen win its first cup. He has also supported Flamengo throughout his career, helping them in their most successful season.
Tita the Manager
Tita’s soccer career didn’t come to an end when his years of playing on the pitch did. He has found great success as a manager and coach for various clubs. Tita has helped manage nine clubs from Brazil, Japan, and Mexico.
Today, Tita still stays active in the soccer world by giving coaching and advice to rising stars. His Instagram account, @tita10official, offers positive coaching suggestions as well as some of his most memorable moments as a soccer player.
Tita’s Personal Life
Tita is happily married to his wife, Sandra, and together they have four children. He is also an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and credits much of his success as a soccer player to being a faithful member of his church. Tita attributes the longevity of his soccer career to his diligent observance of his faith’s health code. The career of a typical soccer player averages 10 to 12 years. Tita played for 21 years—from the age of 18 until he was 39 years old.
Tita is no stranger to family history. He finds joy in helping others with their family history research as a volunteer family history specialist in his church.
About the influence of family history, Tita said, "When we talk about our forefathers, when we talk about the people connected to our generations, when we have the chance to meet those people, we have the chance to become better people ourselves, to become someone who really knows what those people did before you... It’s not just an economical quality, but a cultural quality, quality of learning and quality of studies."
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Tita’s inspirational message is still available on the RootsTech Connect website. Sign in and give it a listen; it will enhance your life and spark your desire not only to play a little soccer, but to do some family history as well!
RootsTech 2021 Keynote Speakers
