Djalma Santos plays at Wembley in 1963. Photo: Imago
Djalma Santos, a right back who won two World Cups with Brazil and was widely considered one of the country’s greatest defenders, has passed away after a battle with pneumonia. He was 84.
“Brazilian football has lost one of its idols,” said Jose Marin, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation.
“Djalma Santos was an admirable player who was loved by fans of all teams not just for the quality of his football but for his discipline and loyalty.”
The full-back was a contemporary of Pele and Garrincha and played for the Selecao when they won the World Cup for the first time in Sweden in 1958.
Although his only game at that tournament was in the 5-2 win over the hosts in the final, Djalma Santos was still voted the best right-back in the tournament and was an ever present in the team that defended the trophy four years later in Chile. – Reuters
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