NÃlton Santos
Nílton Santos, 2004
Nílton Santos ( full name Nílton rice dos Santos, born May 16, 1925 in Rio de Janeiro, † November 27, 2013 ) was a Brazilian footballer. The two-time world champion earned the nickname "Football Encyclopedia " ( Enciclopedia do Futebol ) by his deep understanding of the game, in which he distinguished himself by his great intelligence and foresight. Nílton Santos is considered the pioneer of the offensive interpretation of the full-back position and has a place in many lists of the best of all time.
Life and work
Club: a life for Botafogo
In 1948, Santos joined Nílton Botafogo, a top club from Rio de Janeiro to. He should remain the club faithful to the end of his playing career. In conjunction with Garrincha, Didi, Amarildo, Mario Zagallo and other variables Brazilian football history, he won four times the state championship in Rio de Janeiro, and in 1962 and 1964, the major Rio - São Paulo tournament. Nílton Santos scored in his 718 games for the club until 1964, eleven goals. He 's a record player of his club.
The obligation Garrincha in 1953, who began the trial against him was his judgment against the club's management that "he plays better for us than against me " decisive. The two should combine a lifelong friendship.
National
His 13 years spanning national team career began at the Copa America on home soil in 1949, when the then almost 24 -year-old Nílton Santos in the match against Colombia as a substitute - already allowed at that time in South America - came to its first use. The game ended 5-0 for his team, and it remained his only use during the tournament. At the end Brazil won the title, and thus could also Nílton Santos recorded his first success with the Seleção. The following year, the World Cup was held in Brazil. Here Nílton Santos was indeed in the squad but did not play and perceived as shameful vice world championship was spared.
At the Copa America 1953 in Peru Brazil lost sensational in the final against the underdog Paraguay and was thus again only second. With the Football World Cup 1954 in Switzerland came to Brazil in the quarterfinals a premature end. In the game against Hungary, which became known as the Battle of Berne in the football history, the end was premature for Nílton Santos. In addition to his compatriot Humberto Tozzi and the Magyars József Bozsik he was sent off by English referee Arthur Ellis. The boxing match between Santos and Nílton Bozsik after the former defeated the latter fouled, is a sustainable memory.
As such, less remembered the Copa América in 1956 remained in Peru, where Brazil, as only a second place was again granted in the foregoing, in Peru. Nílton Santos did not play in the decisive match against the eventual winners Argentina.
But even more memorable was Nílton Santos ' use in the Football World Cup 1958 in Sweden. In the game against Austria, he dribbled across the entire length of the playing field and capped his effort with a remarkable hit. Brazil coach Vicente Feola screamed at the situation in vain throat from the neck: his instruction to Nílton Santos that he would kindly stay behind, was ignored. While the tournament is Pelé and Garrincha presented an astonished audience and Brazil, which charmed the world, was with a 5-2 final win over the hosts Sweden for the first time world champion.
The first South American Championship 1959 Nílton Santos played only one game and Brazil was again finished second in the competition, behind the hosts Argentina. Much more important was the defense of the world title at the World Cup in Chile in 1962. Although the then- young superstar Pelé had to give up early in the course of the tournament because of an injury, but Nílton Santos ' teammate Amarildo Botafogo took him more than sufficient. 's 3-1 victory in the final against Czechoslovakia Amarildo even scored the equalizer for the Brazilians. For the now 37 -year-old Santos was Nílton but came after the final whistle of the final, his 75th game, the time to take farewell of the national team.
End of career
In 1964, he also made the club football final. He published the book yet " Minha bola, Minha Vida " ( My ball, my life ), otherwise he remained the light of the public rather remote. At the opening ceremony of the Football World Cup 2006 was Nílton Santos, together with Amarildo, part of a delegation of Brazilian world champion. He last lived in a retirement home in Rio de Janeiro and was suffering from Alzheimer's and other age-related symptoms. His club Botafogo, and fans paid the last penniless Nílton Santos strong financial support. On November 27, 2013 Nílton Santos died at the age of 88 from a pulmonary infection. He was laid out on the club seat General Severiano and then found in the cemetery Cemitério São João Batista Botafogo laid to rest.
The president of the Brazilian Football Association José Maria Marin ordered a minute's silence for the upcoming championship games. "The Brazilian football is in mourning. I had to see them play the privilege Nílton Santos. He is one of the best players in the history of football. "
Title
Brazilian national football team
- 75 caps / 3 goals
- FIFA World Cup: 1958, 1962
- Copa América: 1949
- Pan American Games: Gold in 1952
Botafogo FR
- Torneio Rio - São Paulo: 1962, 1964
- State Championship in Rio de Janeiro: in 1948, 1957, 1961, 1962