Jair da Costa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jair da Costa

Jair in 1963
Personal information
Full name	Jair da Costa
Date of birth	(1940-07-09)9 July 1940
Place of birth	Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
Date of death	26 April 2025(2025-04-26) (aged 84)
Place of death	Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position	Right winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1960–1962	Portuguesa
1962–1967	Internazionale	119	(39)
1967–1968	Roma	23	(2)
1968–1972	Internazionale	80	(14)
1972–1974	Santos	19	(3)
1975	Windsor Star
National team
1962	Brazil	1	(0)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Winner 1962 Chile
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Jair da Costa, often called just Jair, was a famous Brazilian football player. He was born on July 9, 1940, and passed away on April 26, 2025. Jair played as a right winger, which means he ran down the side of the field to help score goals. He was known for his incredible speed and skill with the ball.

Jair's Club Football Journey

Jair started playing football when he was young at a club called Portuguesa in Brazil. He played his first big game against XV Novembro de Jaú. In 1960, he helped Portuguesa finish second in the Campeonato Paulista, a major championship in Brazil.

Playing for Inter Milan

Jair (bottom row, first from left) with Inter Milan in the 1963–64 season

In November 1962, Jair moved to Italy to play for Internazionale, also known as Inter Milan. He played a total of 260 games for this famous club over two different periods.

Jair was a very important player for the "Grande Inter" team, which was coached by Helenio Herrera. This team was one of the best in the world at the time. With Inter, Jair won four Serie A titles, which is the top football league in Italy. He also won the European Cup twice, in 1964 and 1965. This is a huge tournament for the best clubs in Europe.

Not only that, but Jair also helped Inter win the Intercontinental Cup in 1964 and 1965. This made him the first Brazilian player to win multiple European Cups and Intercontinental Cups with a European team.

Other Clubs and Later Career

Between his two times at Inter Milan, Jair played for A.S. Roma during the 1967–68 season. After his time in Italy, he returned to Brazil in 1972. He played for Santos FC until 1974 and helped them win the Campeonato Paulista in 1973. He finished his football career in Canada in 1975, playing for Windsor Star.

Jair's International Career

Jair da Costa played only one game for the Brazil national football team. This was because another amazing player, Garrincha, played in the same position as him. Jair's only game for Brazil was a friendly match against Wales in São Paulo on May 16, 1962. Brazil won that game 3–1.

Even though he only played one game, Jair was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He was a non-playing member, meaning he was in the squad but did not play in any matches during the tournament.

How Jair Played Football

Jair da Costa was known for being an incredibly fast and agile winger. He had quick feet and excellent technique when controlling the ball. He was also known for his powerful shots and his great speed while running with the ball.

Because of these skills, he could also play as a striker, scoring goals himself. Jair was also famous for his amazing dribbling skills and his clever feints, which are fake moves used to trick opponents.

Jair's Football Achievements

Jair in 2008

Jair da Costa won many important trophies during his football career.

Club Honours

Inter Milan

• Serie A: 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1970–71
• European Cup: 1963–64, 1964–65
• Intercontinental Cup: 1964, 1965

Santos

• Campeonato Paulista: 1973

International Honours

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1962

See also

In Spanish: Jair da Costa para niños