Nílton Santos

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nílton dos Santos (born May 16, 1927) is a Brazilian former football defender. He was called The Encyclopedia because of his knowledge of the sport; was said that he had all the knowledge one could have about 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, driving his coach Vicente Feola crazy and finishing with a superb shot.

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; he is regarded as one of the best left wingbacks in the history of the game.

	Brazil squad - 1950 FIFA World Cup Runners-up
1 Barbosa \| 2 Castilho \| 3 Augusto \| 4 Ely \| 5 Juvenal \| 6 Nena \| 7 Nílton Santos \| 8 Bauer \| 9 Bigode \| 10 Danilo \| 11 Noronha \| 12 Rui \| 13 Adãozinho \| 14 Ademir \| 15 Alfredo \| 16 Baltazar \| 17 Chico \| 18 Friaça \| 19 Jair \| 20 Maneca \| 21 Rodrigues \| 22 Zizinho \| Coach: Costa

	Brazil squad - 1954 FIFA World Cup
1 Castilho \| 2 Djalma Santos \| 3 Nílton Santos \| 4 Brandãozinho \| 5 Pinheiro \| 6 Bauer \| 7 Julinho \| 8 Didi \| 9 Baltazar \| 10 Pinga \| 11 Rodrigues \| 12 Paulinho \| 13 Alfredo \| 14 Ely \| 15 Mauro \| 16 Dequinha \| 17 Maurinho \| 18 Humberto \| 19 Índio \| 20 Rubens \| 21 Veludo \| 22 Cabeçao \| Coach: Moreira

	Brazil squad - 1958 FIFA World Cup Champions (1st Title)
1 Castilho \| 2 Bellini \| 3 Gilmar \| 4 Djalma Santos \| 5 Dino Sani \| 6 Didi \| 7 Zagallo \| 8 Oreco \| 9 Zózimo \| 10 Pelé \| 11 Garrincha \| 12 Nílton Santos \| 13 Moacir \| 14 De Sordi \| 15 Orlando \| 16 Mauro \| 17 Joel \| 18 Mazola \| 19 Zito \| 20 Vavá \| 21 Dida \| 22 Pepe \| Coach: Feola

	Brazil squad - 1962 FIFA World Cup Champions (2nd Title)
1 Gilmar \| 2 Djalma Santos \| 3 Mauro \| 4 Zito \| 5 Zózimo \| 6 Nílton Santos \| 7 Garrincha \| 8 Didi \| 9 Coutinho \| 10 Pelé \| 11 Pepe \| 12 Jair Marinho \| 13 Bellini \| 14 Jurandir \| 15 Altair \| 16 Zequinha \| 17 Mengálvio \| 18 Jair da Costa \| 19 Vavá \| 20 Amarildo \| 21 Zagallo \| 22 Castilho \| Coach: Moreira

World Team of the 20th Century v • d • e
Lev Yashin (Goalkeeper) Carlos Alberto Torres \| Franz Beckenbauer \| Bobby Moore \| Nílton Santos (Defenders) Johan Cruijff \| Alfredo Di Stéfano \| Michel Platini (Midfielders) Garrincha \| Diego Maradona \| Pelé (Forwards)