Agenor Muniz

NSL Career: Sydney City, Adelaide City 95 (10) / 1977 - 1981

Socceroos Career: 20 (1) A Internationals / 21 (1) B Internationals

Since the 1970s, the Australia national league has been graced by a number of talented Brazilian footballers including: Hilton Silva, Fernando Rech, Cássio, Fred, Gui Finkler and Bobô. Agenor Muniz remains arguably the most talented of them all and was the first (and only) player who was born in Brazil to earn a full international cap for the Socceroos.

Having already been an established star in the New South Wales First Division and national team, Muniz brought his experience and class to the NSL during the early years of the competition. A supremely skilful playmaker, Muniz could play anywhere in midfield and was a set piece specialist.

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Muniz began playing street football at a young age before going to trial with Rio's biggest clubs. At the age of 12, Muniz was involved in a serious accident that saw him hospitalised for three years. After finishing his treatments and returning to football, Brazilian football powerhouse Vasco da Gama showed an interest in the then 15 year old and signed him to their junior ranks. 

Muniz progressed through the ranks at Vasco but missed out on first team action as the club became one of the top sides in Rio's Campeonato Carioca, winning the competition in 1970 and competing in the national competition (Série A) during the late 1960s and early 1970s. 

Desperate for game time, Muniz had opportunities to play in Australia, Portugal and the United States. Muniz decided on Australia and joined Sydney Hakoah in 1971 along with Vasco team mate Hilton Silva and helped the side become NSW Division One premiers in his first season. 

Despite some inconsistency during his second season, Pan-Hellenic and Socceroos coach Rale Rašić saw his potential and signed the Brazilian for the 1973 season. Playing in a system that was better suited to his game, Muniz enjoyed an improved season under Rašić before he was sold back to Hakoah for a then massive $35,000 transfer fee, after being originally sold by Hakoah for $6,000. 

Returning to Hakoah, Muniz took his game to another level and helped the side reach the 1974 Division One Grand Final, creating the opening goal before Hakoah fell to St. George four-two. During the 1975 season, Muniz was selected to represent his adopted country, playing in B internationals against South Korea and Burma before making his full international debut in a one-nil win over China. 

Muniz continued to perform for Hakoah, helping the side win the 1976 Federation Cup and finish runners-up in the Ampol Cup while maintaining his spot as a Socceroos regular. Hakoah became a foundation club of the Phillips Soccer League in 1977 after president Frank Lowy helped form the league and went by the name Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.

Muniz started the season strongly, scoring two goals in the first five games before moving to Adelaide City where formed a strong midfield with John Perin, Sergio Melta and Brian Northcote. Muniz helped City finish fourth in the league before having an injury-interrupted start to the 1978 season. 

The creative midfielder regained form during the second half of the season and scored a second half brace in City's three-one Phillips Cups (NSL Cup) Semi-Final win over Canberra City to get the side in to their first cup final. Muniz played in City's two-one cup final loss to Brisbane City before former Sydney Olympic (formerly Pan-Hellenic) coach Rale Rašić replaced Les Scheinflug for the 1979 season. Under Rašić, Muniz returned to his best and earned a re-call to the national team.

City narrowly missed out on a spot in the Play-Off Series before Muniz played in City's Phillips Cup Final win over St George. In one of the best seasons of his career, Muniz again took City close to a Play-Off Series berth and helped the side reach the semi-finals of the Phillips Cup. 

Muniz finished runner-up to Brisbane Lion's star Scottish defender Jim Hermiston for the PSL Player of the Year award before returning to Sydney City (formerly Eastern Suburbs Hakoah). Muniz played in eight of the first nine games of the 1981 season before rupturing his ACL and missed the remainder of the season as Sydney City won their third championship. 

Keen to continue his playing career, Muniz was advised to end his top flight career and joined NSW Division One club Avala (later Bonnyrigg White Eagles) where he won the 1983 Rothmans Medal as the league's best player. Following his stint at Avala, Muniz was set to retire before being given the chance to help grow Madeira (later Dulwich Hill) in to a competitive football club. As player-coach, Muniz guided the club from the lower divisions of the NSW State League to the NSW First Division (second tier) before hanging up his boots in his early forties.