1. Overview
Waldyr Pereira (8 October 1928 - 12 May 2001), widely known as Didi (DididʒiˈdʒiPortuguese), was a legendary Brazilian footballer who primarily played as a midfielder or forward. Renowned for his elegance, exceptional technique, and tactical vision, Didi is considered one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. He was instrumental in leading the Brazil national team to victory in two consecutive FIFA World Cups, in 1958 and 1962, having also participated in the 1954 tournament.
Didi gained international acclaim for his innovative playing style, notably inventing and popularizing the "folha seca" (dry leaf) free-kick technique, a dead-ball shot characterized by its unexpected downward swerve. His leadership on the field earned him the Golden Ball award as the best player of the 1958 World Cup. Throughout his career, he achieved significant club successes with Brazilian powerhouses like Fluminense and Botafogo, and notably became the first Brazilian player to win both the FIFA World Cup and the European Cup during his brief spell with Spanish giants Real Madrid. After retiring as a player, Didi embarked on a successful managerial career, including guiding the Peru national team to the 1970 FIFA World Cup. His resilience in overcoming a severe childhood injury to become a football icon cemented his legacy as a figure of inspiration.
2. Early Life and Background
Didi was born into a poor family in Campos dos Goytacazes, a city located about 150 mile north of Rio de Janeiro. His early life was marked by financial hardship and a profound personal challenge that nearly ended his football dreams.
2.1. Childhood and Early Challenges
As a youngster, Didi contributed to his family's income by selling peanuts in the streets. His passion for football began in the informal setting of street games. At the age of 14, he suffered a severe knee injury that led to a serious infection in his right leg, putting him at risk of amputation. Despite the dire prognosis, Didi recovered from this debilitating injury, showcasing remarkable resilience. This experience, particularly the need to compensate for any lingering physical weakness, is often credited with inspiring him to develop his distinctive and innovative "folha seca" free-kick technique. Following his recovery, he began playing for local clubs in his hometown before embarking on his professional career. His youth career included spells at São Cristóvão (1944), Industrial FC (1945), CE Rio Branco (1945), Goytacaz Futebol Clube (1946), and Americano FC (1946).
3. Playing Career
Didi's playing career spanned over two decades, marked by his elegant style, technical skill, and pivotal role in numerous successes at both club and international levels.
3.1. Club Career
Didi's club career saw him play for several prominent teams in Brazil, Europe, and Latin America, leaving a lasting impact at each.
3.1.1. Early Professional Years (Fluminense)
Didi turned professional with Madureira and quickly rose to prominence after joining Fluminense in 1949. His tenure at Fluminense, from 1949 to 1956, was his longest uninterrupted spell at a single club, where he played 298 matches and scored 91 goals. He was a key figure in Fluminense's victory in the 1951 Carioca Championship. Additionally, Didi holds the distinction of scoring the first-ever goal in the history of the Maracanã Stadium. This historic goal occurred on 16 June 1950, when Didi, then 21 years old and representing the Rio de Janeiro state youth team, scored in a friendly match against the São Paulo state youth team. With Fluminense, he also secured the Copa Rio title in 1952. During this period, he played alongside notable players such as Djalma Santos, Castilho, Waldo, Telê Santana, Orlando Pingo de Ouro, Altair, and Pinheiro.
3.1.2. Botafogo and Real Madrid
After his successful stint at Fluminense, Didi moved to Botafogo in 1956. He quickly established himself as a central figure, leading the club to the Campeonato Carioca (Rio state championship) title. Following this victory, Didi famously fulfilled a promise to walk from the Maracanã Stadium to his house in the Laranjeiras neighborhood, a distance of 5.8 mile (9.4 km), while still in his playing kit. Approximately 5,000 Botafogo fans joined him in this celebratory march.
His exceptional performance as the player of the tournament at the 1958 FIFA World Cup caught the attention of European clubs. In 1959, he was signed by Spanish giants Real Madrid, joining a star-studded squad that included legendary figures like Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Francisco Gento. Despite his immense reputation, Didi's time at Real Madrid was brief, marked by only 19 appearances and six goals. He often clashed with the team leader, Alfredo Di Stéfano, who reportedly felt slighted by the divided attention from the fans brought on by the newcomer. This situation ultimately led to Didi's departure from the club. Nevertheless, during his short spell, he played a part in Real Madrid's triumphant 1959-60 European Cup campaign, making him the first Brazilian player to win both the FIFA World Cup and the European Cup.
3.1.3. Later Club Teams and Retirement
Following his departure from Real Madrid in 1960, Didi returned to Botafogo, where he spent almost three more successful years. During this period, Botafogo assembled one of the most formidable Brazilian club teams of all time, featuring other world champions like Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Zagallo, and Amarildo, alongside promising young talents such as Manga, Gérson, Rildo, and Jairzinho. At that time, this Botafogo team was considered the only national club capable of consistently challenging Pelé's Santos.
With Botafogo, Didi won further Campeonato Carioca titles in 1961 and 1962, the Torneio Rio-São Paulo in 1962, the Pentagonal Club of Mexico in 1962, and the Paris Tournament in 1963. After this successful period, he signed with Sporting Cristal of Peru in 1963. He had another brief return to Botafogo in 1964, which was his final spell with the club. Botafogo remains the club where Didi played the most matches, with 313 games and 114 goals.
In 1965, he moved to the Mexican league to play for C.D. Veracruz. In 1966, at the age of 38, Didi joined São Paulo with the expectation of leading the team with his vast experience, but he played only four games. After this, he decided to retire as a player and transition into a coaching career.
3.2. International Career (Brazil National Team)
Didi's international career with the Brazil national team was marked by his central role in the country's first two FIFA World Cup victories, establishing Brazil as a dominant force in global football.
3.2.1. World Cup Success
Didi participated in three FIFA World Cups. His first appearance was in the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. In that tournament, he scored goals against Mexico and Yugoslavia. Brazil's campaign ended with a defeat to the heavily favored Hungary, in a contentious match known as the Battle of Berne, where Didi was involved in a post-match brawl.
His greatest international achievement came at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. From his midfield position, Didi brilliantly orchestrated Brazil's play, masterminding their first-ever World Cup triumph. His outstanding performances throughout the tournament earned him the Golden Ball award, recognizing him as the best player of the competition. This victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time a South American team had won the World Cup on European soil.
Didi continued to be an integral part of the Brazil squad for the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile, where he played a crucial role in securing Brazil's second consecutive World Cup title. In total, he earned 68 caps for the Brazil national team, scoring 20 goals, with approximately twelve of these coming from his trademark free-kicks.
4. Playing Style and Innovations
Didi was widely celebrated for his refined playing style, combining technical brilliance with strategic intelligence, and leaving a lasting mark on the game through his unique innovations.
4.1. The "Folha Seca" Free Kick
Didi is famously credited with inventing and perfecting the "folha seca" (dry leaf) free-kick technique. This revolutionary shot involves striking the ball in such a way that it swerves unpredictably, appearing to float or hang in the air before dipping sharply and unexpectedly, making it extremely difficult for goalkeepers to judge. The technique utilizes the Magnus effect, causing the ball to deviate significantly from a linear path. This innovation, which Didi developed in part to compensate for a childhood leg injury, showcased his ingenuity and profound understanding of the ball's aerodynamics. The "folha seca" has since been adopted and popularized by modern-day players, notably Juninho and Cristiano Ronaldo, demonstrating its enduring impact on free-kick artistry in football.
4.2. Other Attributes and Nicknames
Beyond his iconic free kick, Didi possessed a comprehensive set of attributes that made him an exceptional midfielder. He was renowned for his elegant and technical play, characterized by an impressive range of passing, exceptional tactical vision, and remarkable stamina. His ability to read the game and distribute the ball with precision allowed him to control the tempo of matches and dictate play from the midfield. He was affectionately known by several nicknames, including "Prince of Ethiopia" (Príncipe EtíopePrince of EthiopiaPortuguese), a testament to his regal presence and dark complexion.
5. Managerial Career
Following his retirement as a player, Didi transitioned into football management, leading various clubs and national teams across different continents.
5.1. National Team Coaching
Didi's most impactful role as a national team coach came with the Peru national team. He successfully guided the Peruvians to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, remarkably achieving this at the expense of Argentina. This achievement was seen as a form of "repaying a debt" for Peru's elimination from the 1958 World Cup qualification. The Peruvian team under Didi featured stars like Teófilo Cubillas and Héctor Chumpitaz. They eventually reached the quarter-finals of the 1970 World Cup, where they were defeated by his home country, Brazil. Didi also had a coaching stint with the Kuwait national team.
5.2. Club Coaching Roles
Didi's club managerial career included a diverse range of roles in South America, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. He began his coaching career with his former club, Sporting Cristal in Peru. In 1971, he managed the top Argentine club, River Plate. His most notable success in club coaching came with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe, where he guided the team to two consecutive Turkish First Division (later named Süper Lig) titles in the 1973-1974 and 1974-1975 seasons.
Throughout his managerial career, Didi also coached several other prominent Brazilian clubs, including Bangu, Fluminense, Botafogo, Cruzeiro, Fortaleza, and São Paulo. His international club coaching experience extended to Peruvian club Alianza Lima and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.
6. Later Life and Death
In October 2000, Didi was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Champions, a testament to his lasting impact on global football. By this time, he was already in declining health. Waldyr Pereira, known to the world as Didi, passed away on 12 May 2001, in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 72. His death was attributed to pneumonia, which arose from complications related to intestinal cancer.
7. Honours and Legacy
Didi's distinguished career as both a player and, to a lesser extent, a manager, earned him numerous team titles and individual accolades, solidifying his status as one of football's all-time greats.
7.1. Team Honours
Botafogo
- Campeonato Carioca: 1957, 1961, 1962
- Torneio Rio-São Paulo: 1962
- Tournament Home: 1961, 1962, 1963
- Colombia International Tournament: 1960
- Pentagonal Club of Mexico: 1962
Fluminense
- Copa Rio: 1952
- Campeonato Carioca: 1951
Real Madrid
- European Cup: 1959-60
- Ramon de Carranza Trophy: 1959
Brazil
- FIFA World Cup: 1958, 1962
- Copa Oswaldo Cruz: 1955, 1958, 1961, 1962
- O'Higgins Cup: 1955, 1961
- Panamerican Championship: 1952
- Taça do Atlântico: 1956
7.2. Individual Accolades
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1958
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1958
- IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century: 7th place
- IFFHS World Player of the 20th Century: 19th place
- The Best of The Best - Player of the Century: Top 50
- Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
- Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Bronze Team): 2020
- IFFHS South America Men's Team of All Time: 2021
- World Soccer (magazine) 20th Century's 100 Greatest Footballers: 39th place
8. Career Statistics
8.1. International Appearances and Goals
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1952 | 5 | 1 |
| 1953 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1954 | 7 | 2 | |
| 1955 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1956 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1957 | 10 | 9 | |
| 1958 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1959 | 7 | 3 | |
| 1961 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1962 | 10 | 1 | |
| Total | 68 | 20 | |
:Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Didi goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 April 1952 | Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile | Uruguay | 1-0 | 4-2 | 1952 Panamerican Championship |
| 2 | 16 June 1954 | Charmilles Stadium, Geneva, Switzerland | Mexico | 2-0 | 5-0 | 1954 FIFA World Cup |
| 3 | 19 June 1954 | Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland | Yugoslavia | 1-1 | 1-1 | 1954 FIFA World Cup |
| 4 | 15 April 1956 | Praterstadion, Vienna, Austria | Austria | - | 3-2 | Friendly |
| 5 | 9 May 1956 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | England | 2-2 | 2-4 | Friendly |
| 6 | 13 April 1957 | Estadio Nacional del Perú, Lima, Peru | Chile | 1-1 | 4-2 | 1957 South American Championship |
| 7 | 2-1 | |||||
| 8 | 3-1 | |||||
| 9 | 23 March 1957 | Estadio Nacional del Perú, Lima, Peru | Colombia | 5-0 | 9-0 | 1957 South American Championship |
| 10 | 6-0 | |||||
| 11 | 28 March 1957 | Estadio Nacional del Perú, Lima, Peru | Uruguay | 2-3 | 2-3 | 1957 South American Championship |
| 12 | 31 March 1957 | Estadio Nacional del Perú, Lima, Peru | Peru | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1957 South American Championship |
| 13 | 21 April 1957 | Estádio Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Peru | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 14 | 11 June 1957 | Estádio Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Portugal | - | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 15 | 24 June 1958 | Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden | France | 2-1 | 5-2 | 1958 FIFA World Cup |
| 16 | 10 March 1959 | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Peru | 1-0 | 2-2 | 1959 South American Championship |
| 17 | 15 March 1959 | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Chile | 3-0 | 3-0 | 1959 South American Championship |
| 18 | 21 March 1959 | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Bolivia | 4-2 | 4-2 | 1959 South American Championship |
| 19 | 7 May 1961 | Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile | Chile | - | 2-1 | 1961 Copa Bernardo O'Higgins |
| 20 | 21 April 1962 | Estádio Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Paraguay | - | 6-0 | 1962 Taça Oswaldo Cruz |