Quick Facts
Biography
José António Barreto Travassos (22 February 1926 – 12 February 2002) was a Portuguese footballer who played as a forward.
Club career
Born in Lisbon, Travassos joined Sporting Clube de Portugal in 1946 from G.D. CUF. During his spell with the club, he appeared in 321 games all competitions comprised and scored 128 goals, being part of an attacking line dubbed Cinco Violinos (Five Violins) that also included Albano, Jesus Correia, Fernando Peyroteo and Manuel Vasques and winning eight Primeira Liga championships and two Taça de Portugal trophies.
In the 1948–49 season, Travassos netted a career-best 16 goals to help the Lions win the domestic league ahead of S.L. Benfica. He retired in 1959 at the age of 33, dying in his hometown at the age of 75.
International career
Travassos gained 35 caps for the Portuguese national team during 11 years, scoring six times. His debut came on 5 January 1947 in a 2–2 friendly draw with Switzerland, in the Portuguese capital and, 21 days later and in another home exhibition game, netted a brace to help defeat Spain 4–1.
He was one of the first Portuguese footballers to achieve international level, playing for the FIFA team that defeated England 4–1 in 1955, in Belfast. For this achievement, he was dubbed "Zé da Europa" (Europe's Joe).