Djalma Santos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Djalma Santos

Santos with the Jules Rimet Trophy in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos
Date of birth	(1929-02-27)27 February 1929
Place of birth	São Paulo, Brazil
Date of death	23 July 2013(2013-07-23) (aged 84)
Place of death	Uberaba, Brazil
Height	1.73 m
Playing position	Right-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1948–1959	Portuguesa	434	(11)
1959–1968	Palmeiras	498	(10)
1969–1970	Atlético Paranaense	32	(2)
Total		964	(23)
National team
1952–1968	Brazil	98	(3)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1958 Sweden Winner 1962 Chile South American Championship Runner-up 1953 Peru Runner-up 1957 Peru Runner-up 1959 Argentina Panamerican Championship Winner 1952 Chile
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos, known simply as Djalma Santos, was a famous Brazilian footballer. He was born on February 27, 1929, and passed away on July 23, 2013. Djalma Santos played as a right-back and is thought to be one of the best players in that position ever.

He played for the Brazil national team in four World Cups. He helped Brazil win the World Cup twice, in 1958 and 1962. Even though he was a defender, he was also great at attacking and showing off his skills with the ball.

Djalma Santos is one of only three players to be chosen for three FIFA World Cup All-Star teams. This shows how consistently good he was! He was also named by the legendary player Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers. Djalma Santos played over 1,000 professional games in his career, which is a huge achievement. He was known for being a very fair player and was never sent off the field in any game.

Djalma Santos: A Football Legend

Djalma Santos made a big impact at the three main clubs he played for. He was a hero at Palmeiras, where he played for nine years. He also started his professional career at Portuguesa and finished his career at Atlético Paranaense.

Early Career and Club Success

Djalma Santos began his football journey in his hometown with Portuguesa. He first played as a central defender. Later, he moved to the right side of the defense, where he became famous. He was part of a very strong Portuguesa team. With them, he won the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1952 and 1955. He played 434 games for the club, which is the second-highest number of games for Portuguesa.

After Portuguesa, Djalma Santos joined Palmeiras in 1959. He played 498 games for Palmeiras, becoming one of the players with the most appearances for the club. At Palmeiras, he won many important titles. These included the Paulista Championship in 1959, 1963, and 1966. He also won the Brazilian Championships in 1960 and 1967. He even won the Rio-São Paulo Tournament again in 1965.

He finished his career at Atlético Paranaense, playing until he was 42 years old. This was very unusual for a footballer at that time. Djalma Santos only played for three clubs in his career. However, he once played a special game for São Paulo. This was to celebrate the opening of their new stadium in 1960.

Playing for Brazil: World Cup Glory

Brazilian footballers Djalma Santos (left), Pelé (weeping) and Gilmar after winning the 1958 World Cup. Behind Pelé there's Didi, while on the right side Orlando Peçanha.

Djalma Santos played 98 official games for Brazil between 1952 and 1968. He was part of the Brazilian squad for four World Cups in a row, from 1954 to 1966. His first game for Brazil was against Peru in 1952.

1954 World Cup

Djalma Santos played his first World Cup game in 1954 against Mexico, which Brazil won 5-0. He played in all of Brazil's matches in that tournament. He even scored his first goal for Brazil from a penalty kick.

1958 World Cup

In the 1958 World Cup, Djalma Santos didn't play much at first. But he was chosen to play in the final match against Sweden. Brazil won the game 5-2, and Djalma Santos played incredibly well. Even though he only played one game in the tournament, his performance in the final was so good that he was included in the World Cup All-Star Team.

1962 World Cup

Djalma Santos was a regular starter again in the 1962 World Cup. He played in all of Brazil's games. In the final against Czechoslovakia, he helped set up the final goal for Brazil. He sent a high ball towards the goal. The opposing goalkeeper had trouble with it, and Brazilian striker Vavá scored. This helped Brazil win their second World Cup title!

1966 World Cup

At 37 years old, Djalma Santos was chosen for his fourth World Cup in 1966. Some people were surprised by this, as a younger player, Carlos Alberto, was expected to play instead. Djalma Santos played in the first two games. However, Brazil was knocked out of the tournament after losing to Hungary and Portugal.

Djalma Santos's Playing Style

Djalma Santos started his career in the midfield. But he became very successful as a defender, especially as a right-back. He was known for being calm and playing consistently well. He was a fast and strong defender, famous for his stamina, how well he marked opponents, and his tackling skills. He was also good at heading the ball.

Besides being a great defender, Djalma Santos was also known for his amazing technique and attacking abilities. He was one of the first full-backs to run forward and join the attack. He had excellent ball control and dribbling skills. He could even take on opponents in risky situations. He was also good at taking penalty kicks and free kicks, and could make long throw-ins.

Djalma Santos was also known for being a very fair and disciplined player. He worked hard and always behaved well. Throughout his long career, he was never once sent off the field! This shows what an amazing professional he was.

His Legacy and Passing

Djalma Santos passed away on July 23, 2013, in Uberaba, Brazil. He had been in the hospital since July 1, 2013, and died due to pneumonia and heart problems. His legacy as one of the greatest right-backs in football history lives on.

Awards and Achievements

Portuguesa

• Torneio Rio – São Paulo: 1952, 1955

Palmeiras

• Campeonato Paulista: 1959, 1963, 1966
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1960, 1967 (Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa), 1967 (Taça Brasil)
• Torneio Rio – São Paulo: 1965

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1958, 1962
• Panamerican Championship: 1952
• Roca Cup: 1957, 1960, 1963
• Copa Río Branco: 1968
• Taça Oswaldo Cruz: 1955, 1956, 1962
• Taça Bernado O'Higgins: 1959

Individual

• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1954, 1958, 1962
• World Soccer World XI: 1962, 1963, 1965
• FIFA XI: 1963
• FIFA World Cup All-Time Team: 1994
• FIFA 100
• The Best of The Best – Player of the Century: Top 50
• Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame

See also

In Spanish: Djalma Santos para niños