Celso

Celso Dias dos Santos, simply Celso (born 28 February 1956 in Santos, São Paulo), is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a central defender.

Football career

Celso started playing for local Botafogo Futebol Clube (SP), sharing teams with future legend Sócrates. In 1978, after four seasons, he joined Fortaleza Esporte Clube, moving to Ferroviário Atlético Clube the following year; whilst with the latter, he scored against Ceará Sporting Club to help his team win the state championship.[1]

In 1980 Celso signed for CR Vasco da Gama, being crowned Carioca champion two years later. In quick succession he still represented, in his country, Clube Atlético Paranaense, Santa Cruz Futebol Clube and Esporte Clube Bahia.

For the 1985–86 season, already aged 29, Celso moved abroad, signing with F.C. Porto in Portugal. He played in 23 league games in each of his first two seasons, and netted six in 24 in his last, winning a total of eight major titles; in the club's European Cup victorious campaign in 1986–87, he played all matches and minutes and scored three times – against Rabat Ajax FC (9–0 at home, first round), FC Vítkovice (3–0 home success, second round) and FC Dynamo Kyiv (2–1 away win);[2] he possessed a very powerful shot and often found the net through free kicks.

In November 1987, Celso was named in the World Soccer World XI despite not having been capped at international level.[3] He retired in 1992 at the age of 36 after one season apiece with Goiás Esporte Clube and former side Ferroviário.

Honours

Ferroviário
Vasco
Porto

References

  1. ↑ Ídolo - Celso Gavião (Icon - Celso Gavião); Fortaleza official website, 2004 (Portuguese)
  2. ↑ Champions' Cup 1986-87; at RSSSF
  3. ↑ World Soccer, November 1987 p48

External links