Zizito is chosen as the mascot name of CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019

The fans baptized the nice capybara in a vote performed on Facebook and Twitter. The name is a tribute to the Brazilian ex player, Zizinho

With 65% of the votes, Zizito was the name chosen for the mascot of CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019. Football fans who participated in the polls promoted in the @copaamerica profiles on Facebook and Twitter, which ended at the beginning of the afternoon of this Friday, April 12, opted for the name that pays homage to the Brazilian explayer Zizinho, the master Ziza. The other option, Capibi, an exaltation to the indigenous peoples of South America achieved 35% of the votes.

Zizinho is until today the top scorer of CONMEBOL Copa America with 17 goals, the next is Argentine Norberto Méndez. As in the Spanish language the suffix «ito» is designated for the diminutive form, the name Zizito was now officially baptized to the sympathetic and amiable capybara, symbol of the 46th edition of the oldest selection tournament in the world.

«To explain to the youngers what Zizinho meant and the greatness of football’s history, its enough to say that he is the idol of Pele. Football fans around the world have undoubtedly made an excellent choice, great relationship with Brazilian, South American and world football. «It was a difficult choice, because Capibi is a tribute to the Indians, and it was another excellent option,» said Thiago Jannuzzi, general manager of the Local Organizing Committee of CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019.

The inspiration for the election of a capybara as pet of the CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019 came from the South American fauna. Of the most friendly and present animals in the continent, the capybara is known for being the most sociable and for living peacefully with other species around it. The largest rodent in the world is an inhabitant of the river banks, the capybara is a herbivorous mammal weighing between 20 and 80 kg, has dense fur and is usually brown. It lives in families of, on average, seven to ten capibaras, being able to arrive until groups of one hundred animals. The lifetime of a capybara goes from 6 to 12 years.

Since it was announced as pet of CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019, on April 5, capizara Zizito toured several tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, one of the five host cities. On the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, he met Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a traditional bastion of animals of his kind, and was thrilled to be received on the lawn of Maracana by Flamengo and Fluminense fans before the confrontation for the semifinals of the State Championship, on 6 April. Zizito also met the Brazilian Selection Museum, where he was received by the Brazilian national team’s pet, Canarinho.

«I consider the name chosen by football fans combines the passion for football, the history of our cup and the joy and nobility of our mascot. Zizito will not only be the image of CONMEBOL Copa America, it will also bring fun, tenderness and joy to the fans who will witness a unique and historic cup» said Hugo Figueredo, Competitions Director of the CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019.

CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019

The 46th edition of the oldest selection tournament in the world, which returns to Brazil after 30 years, will be played in five host cities (Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo) with 12 participating teams. In the championship, will be reunited nine FIFA World Cup titles and some of the biggest stars in world football.

In addition to the ten South American member countries of CONMEBOL (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela), Japan and Qatar will participate as guests.

After the draw held in January, in Rio de Janeiro, Group A was made up of Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. Group B has Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar while Group C has Uruguay, Ecuador, Japan and Chile.