Valdir Pereira facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Valdir Pereira | ||
| Date of birth | 8 October 1929 | ||
| Place of birth | Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil | ||
| Date of death | 12 May 2001 (aged 71) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder (retired) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1949-1957 1957-1959 1959-1960 1960-1962 1962-1963 1964 1965 1965-1966 1966 |
Fluminense Botafogo Real Madrid Botafogo São Paulo Sporting Cristal Botafogo Tiburones Rojos Veracruz São Paulo |
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| National team | |||
| 1952-1962 | Brazil | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| 1962-1963 1967-1968 1969-1970 1971 1972-1975 1975 1977 1981 1986 |
Sporting Cristal Sporting Cristal Peru River Plate Fenerbahçe Fluminense Cruzeiro Botafogo Alianza Lima |
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Valdir Pereira (born 8 October 1929 – died 12 May 2001), known to everyone as Didi, was an amazing Brazilian football player. He was a talented midfielder who played a huge role for the Brazilian national team. Didi helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup not once, but twice! He was part of the winning teams in 1958 and 1962. People remember him for his incredible passing and a special kick he invented called the "dry leaf" shot.
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Early Life and Football Start
Didi was born in Campos dos Goytacazes, a city in Brazil. When he was young, he had a serious infection that almost made him lose his leg. Luckily, he recovered and was able to play football. This early challenge showed how determined he was.
He started his professional football career in 1949. Didi quickly became known for his smart play and how well he could control the ball. He was a true leader on the field.
Club Career Highlights
Didi played for several big clubs in Brazil. He spent many years with Fluminense and Botafogo. With these teams, he won important championships in Brazil.
- Fluminense: He played here from 1949 to 1957. He helped them win the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1957.
- Botafogo: Didi had two main periods with Botafogo, from 1957 to 1959 and again from 1960 to 1962. He was a key player when they won the Rio State Championship in 1957 and 1961.
In 1959, Didi moved to Europe to play for Real Madrid in Spain. This was a very famous team. Even though he didn't stay long, he played alongside other football legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano. He helped Real Madrid win the European Cup in 1960, which was a huge achievement.
After his time in Spain, Didi returned to Brazil and played for Botafogo again. He also played for São Paulo and Sporting Cristal in Peru before he retired as a player.
The "Dry Leaf" Kick
Didi was famous for inventing a special way to kick the ball. It was called the "folha seca" in Portuguese, which means "dry leaf." When he kicked the ball, it would fly through the air with little or no spin. Then, it would suddenly drop or swerve, making it very hard for goalkeepers to save.
This kick was amazing because it looked like a dry leaf falling from a tree. It was unpredictable and showed Didi's incredible skill and understanding of the game.
International Success with Brazil
Didi was a central figure for the Brazilian national team for many years. He played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments.
1954 FIFA World Cup
Didi was part of the Brazilian squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. Brazil played well but was knocked out in the quarter-finals.
1958 FIFA World Cup
This was Didi's most famous World Cup. He was the leader of the midfield for Brazil in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. He played alongside young stars like Pelé and Garrincha. Didi was named the best player of the tournament, winning the Golden Ball award. His calm leadership and amazing passes were crucial as Brazil won their first-ever World Cup title.
1962 FIFA World Cup
Didi continued to be a vital player for Brazil in the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile. Even though Pelé got injured early, Didi stepped up and helped lead the team. Brazil went on to win the World Cup again, making Didi a two-time world champion.
He played a total of 68 games for the Brazilian national team and scored 20 goals.
Managerial Career
After he stopped playing, Didi became a football manager. He managed several teams, including Sporting Cristal in Peru and Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He even managed the Peruvian national team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup.
Didi passed away on May 12, 2001, but he is still remembered as one of the greatest football players of all time. His legacy lives on through his amazing skills and his part in Brazil's World Cup history.
