From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nílton Santos |
|
|
| Personal information |
| Date of birth |
16 May 1925 (1925-05-16) (age 83) |
| Place of birth |
Brazil |
| Playing position |
Defender |
| Club information |
| Current club |
Retired |
| Youth clubs |
|
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas |
| Senior clubs1 |
| Years |
Club |
App (Gls)* |
| 1948-1964 |
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas |
729(11) |
| National team |
| 1949–1962 |
Brazilian national team |
075 0(5) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 00:14, 14 April 2008 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)
|
Nílton Reis dos Santos (born May 16, 1925) is a Brazilian former football defender. He was born in Rio de Janerio. He was left wing-back who could play anywhere of the left wing. He was best known for his ability on the attack.
He was called The Encyclopedia because of his knowledge of the sport of football. Nílton was a key player in defence during the 1954, 1958 and 1962 World Cup finals (he was also in the Brazilian squad for the 1950 finals, but made no appearances) and became famous for scoring a magnificent goal in the 1958 tournament when Brazil played Austria. Dribbling his way through the whole field, he finished with a superb shot, driving his coach Vicente Feola crazy.
Pelé named him in his "top 125 greatest living footballers" in March 2004.
Nílton Santos played for only 2 teams in his professional career; Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas and the Brazilian national team collecting 75 caps and scoring 3 goals; he is regarded as the best left wingbacks in the history of the game.
[edit] External links
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