Retirement

 

Retirement. 1969-70 was the last season for Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos, known to the world as Djalma Santos (b. 27-02-1929 – d. 23-07-2013).

He retired at 40 after fantastic career, leaving great legacy behind.

He started in 1948 for Portuguesa as a midfielder, eventually moving back as right full-back. For Portuguesa he played 434 games, scoring 11 goals.

In 1959 he moved to Palmeiras, where he stayed until 1969, appearing in 498 games and scoring 10 goals.

He played his last season for Atletico Paranaense, adding 32 games and 2 goals to make a total 964 games and 23 goals – a formidable club record, but that was not all.

His talent made him Brazilian national team player in 1952 and he was included in the national team until 1968, collecting 98 caps and scoring 3 goals. Numbers alone made him one of the greatest players - at the time of his retirement he appeared in more than 1000 official games!

Djalma Santos cotributed gteatly to the development of the sport: he was one of the very first modern defenders going into attack on the wing, scoring goals, providing accurate dangerous passes, kicking deadly free-kicks and penalties. Possessing wonderful skills, he was versatile, capable to play not only on the right, but as central defender as well, and most importantly he was clean gentleman-player.

Djalma Santos was never sent off and had great work ethic, providing strong example for other players both on and off the field, both in training and official matches. And teams with him were successful:

Djalma Santos won trophies with Portuguesa (this photo is from 1950),

with Palmeiras,

and in his last season with Atletico Paranaense. But his international success was even bigger:

Djalma Santos was regular for Brazil at the 1954 World Cup,

played in the final of 1958 World Cup,

an important regular at 1962 World Cup,

and finally at the 1966 World Cup.

Four World Cups – a very rare achievment at the time – and twice world champion! Three times he was voted in FIFA World Cup all-stars teams: in 1954, 1958, and 1962. Truly one of all-time greatest players, he is recognized as one of the best even today,when not many contemporary journalists had the chance to see him play.

Yet even the best eventually retired. Honourable player and person, Djalma Santos left wonderful memories and is remembered with respect.