Nilton Santos
So adored as Garrincha. As respected as Pelé. With his skill and category, Nilton Santos surpassed the concept of greater left-back in the history of world football. To be called The Encyclopedia of Football, had definitively deserved recognition of his incredible ability to face the fans. Throughout his career and has only played in Botafogo, beyond the Glorious, the only shirt he wore was the Brazilian National Team. In Botafogo, played 723 matches, scoring 11 goals. In the National Team, made 84 games, scoring 3 goals. Security marking was one of his virtues. With its dynamic game, became the precursor of the side seeking the attack, scoring a goal in the 1958 World Cup, against Austria, a rare fact in the days when it was just lateral tip marker. If tactically had its importance in the scheme of Botafogo and Selection, was off the field who scored one of his most beautiful goals: when, after facing a workout Mane Garrincha, Nilton Botafogo practically forced to hire the then unknown tip-right. Another move of genius always remembered happened against Spain in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. Nilton overthrew the Spanish tacante very close to the side line of the penalty area without fuss. Luckily for Brazil, deceived the referee did not notice and just faulting outside the area. In alvinegro, Nilton Santos was Carioca four times (1948, 1957, 1961 and 1962) champion and won two Rio-São Paulo Tournament (1962 and 1964). He was world champion for the national team in 1958 and 1962, and was also in World Cups 50 and 54 never lost a decision and just like Garrincha, was elected in research done by FIFA in 1998 to the selection of all time . After ending his career, Nilton came to be part of the dome of the Botafogo football, but his career as a director ceased to exist when ordered with a right, then the referee Armando Marques stairs on the Maracanã. Nilton Santos was born on May 16, 1925, on Governor's Island. Majesty how in dealing with a ball! The boy never did a trick with the ball. Just did art. Nilton was not a football player, was an exclamation. You looked you in so many field / And yet - that charm - ages one: Nilton Santos. (Armando Nogueira).