Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Nilton Santos, the “encyclopedia” of football

Last update 14 March, 2018 by Julio Muñoz

If you look at our slogan cover can be seen that it is the inscription “the football encyclopedia”. A name that mentions the wide and varied theme that about the beautiful game you can see in Colgados for football. The above phrase chosen in his day and consolidated over time is no more than a nod to the best left back in football history, Nilton Santos.

A Brazilian defender, He born in the ever crowded neighborhood of Botafogo (Rio de Janeiro), which was called the “football encyclopedia” for its spectacular Balompédica knowledge of the world in all its aspects. Either story, tactic, Technical domino or any other aspect that had to do with 22 men on a field. Unfortunately, esa “encyclopedia” no longer exists and will not open again but it would be grossly unfair not remember what it contained and how much contributed to football.

Nilton Santos ganó cuatro campeonatos cariocas con Botafogo.
Nilton Santos won four Campeonato Carioca with Botafogo.

Nilton Santos was born in 1925 and entering the football field was rather casual. Being in the military service, an officer of the Brazilian air force caught his talent and enormous zancado and convinced him to join the ranks of Botafogo. No one ever advised Nilton so well as he did that officer. His entry into the set was a success and the beginning of a long and successful career carioca club which lasted until 1964, Sixteen years after signing his first match in the first team.

16 full years of triumphs, titles and trace. Because footprint was what he left Nilton career in those years. Santos was not a side more, It was an innovative carrilero defending any defense, but he had the habit of climbing over the odds for what was then understood I had to do an advocate. A phrase that repression marked as lived in their field plot barely able to cross the dividing line of the midfield: “”The side now do not envy the fame or money but freedom. Now they can attack, all attack, That is the legacy that I have left”.

A perfect summary for a man T-shirt donned in canarinha 1949 and he enjoyed the best and worst of being a player in Brazil. Witness the cruel “Maracanazo”, however, was the architect alongside other greats like Djalma Santos (another pioneer side get forward), Skin or inseparable Garrincha the first World achieved by the Brazilian team, the Swedish 58 and subsequently, of the second, in Chile 62, which also he left a masterpiece in his match against Spain.

Competitor in four World, chosen by FIFA in the year 2000 the best left side of history, at the Olympic Stadium João Havelange, Rio de Janeiro stands a statue in his honor. Just reward for a tireless player able to cover the whole field again and again a 27 November 2013 to the 88 years left us forever 729 parties in the ranks of Botafogo and 75 encounters with Brazil, his two great loves of his sporting life, under his belt.

Una estatua de Nilton Santos se levanta en el Estadio Olímpico de Río de Janeiro.
A statue of Nilton Santos stands at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Julio Muñoz
Julio Muñoz
Journalist, specialist in international football and retro. I write in Colgadosporelfutbol.com and you can follow me at @ juliomv1982

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