1. Overview
Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos, widely known as Djalma Santos (Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santosdiˈʒawmɐ ˈsɐtusPortuguese), was a Brazilian footballer recognized as one of the greatest right-backs of all time. Born in São Paulo on February 27, 1929, he achieved international acclaim for his illustrious career with the Brazil national team, notably winning the 1958 FIFA World Cup and 1962 FIFA World Cup. He holds the distinction of being one of only three players to be selected for three FIFA World Cup All-Star Teams (in 1954, 1958, and 1962), and was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in 2004. Throughout his extensive career, which spanned over 1,000 professional appearances, Santos was celebrated not only for his exceptional defensive and offensive skills but also for his exemplary sportsmanship, as he was famously never sent off from the field. He passed away on July 23, 2013, at the age of 84, in Uberaba, Minas Gerais.
2. Early life and background
Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos was born on February 27, 1929, in São Paulo, Brazil. Details of his early life circumstances beyond his birth location are limited, but he began his football career in his hometown, initially playing in the center of defense for Portuguesa. He was later shifted to the right side of the defense, where he found significant success and established his legendary status.
3. Club career
Djalma Santos embarked on a distinguished club career, primarily defending the colors of three major Brazilian clubs: Portuguesa, Palmeiras, and Atlético Paranaense.
He began his professional journey with Portuguesa, playing from 1949 to 1958. During his time there, he made 434 appearances and scored 11 goals, becoming the club's second-highest record holder for games played, surpassed only by Capitão. He was a key member of one of Portuguesa's finest teams, contributing to victories in the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1952 and 1955, and earning the Fita Azul Internacional in 1951, 1953, and 1954.
In 1959, Djalma Santos moved to Palmeiras, where he would spend nine years until 1968. He played 498 games for the "alviverde" (Green and White) jersey, making him the seventh player with the most appearances for the club. At Palmeiras, he achieved the most titles of his career, becoming a prominent figure in the "first academy" alongside stars such as Ademir da Guia, Julinho Botelho, Djalma Dias, and Vavá. His honours with Palmeiras include the Paulista Championship in 1959, 1963, and 1966, the Brazilian Championships in 1960, and two national titles in 1967 (the Robertão and the Taça Brasil). He also secured the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1965 and was a runner-up in the Copa Libertadores in 1961 and 1968.
He concluded his playing career with Atlético Paranaense, where he played from 1968 until 1972, remarkably continuing to play professionally until the age of 42. He made 32 appearances and scored 2 goals for the club.
Despite primarily playing for these three clubs, Djalma Santos made a unique one-off appearance for São Paulo on November 9, 1960. While still belonging to Palmeiras, he participated as an honor guest in the inaugural celebrations of the Morumbi Stadium, in a 3-0 victory over Nacional of Uruguay, with goals scored by Canhoteiro and Gino.
4. International career
Djalma Santos had an extensive and highly successful international career with the Brazil national football team, making 98 official appearances between 1952 and 1968. He is recognized as the first Brazilian player to achieve 100 caps for the national team, including unofficial matches, totaling 111 appearances. He participated in four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 1954 to 1966.
He made his debut for Brazil on April 10, 1952, against Peru in the Panamerican Championship, a match that ended in a 0-0 draw. In 1957, along with Argentina's Néstor Rossi, he was the only player to be unanimously voted into the 1957 South American Championship squad, highlighting his esteemed reputation.
4.1. FIFA World Cup participation
Djalma Santos's career was defined by his performances in four FIFA World Cups, where he played a pivotal role in Brazil's golden era.
4.1.1. 1954 FIFA World Cup
Santos made his World Cup debut in Brazil's opening match, a 5-0 victory against Mexico. He played in all of Brazil's matches during the tournament. In the quarter-final match against Hungary, famously known as the "Battle of Berne", Santos scored his first international goal for Brazil from the penalty spot, though Brazil ultimately lost the match 2-4. His strong performances led to his inclusion in the tournament's All-Star Team.
4.1.2. 1958 FIFA World Cup
Despite being a crucial player, Djalma Santos initially lost his starting position to De Sordi and did not feature until the final match against Sweden. In this decisive game, which Brazil won 5-2 to secure their first World Cup title, Santos delivered an outstanding performance that cemented his legacy. His impactful display in the final earned him a spot in the tournament's All-Star Team, despite playing only one match in the entire competition.
4.1.3. 1962 FIFA World Cup
In the 1962 FIFA World Cup, Djalma Santos was once again a regular starter and played in all of Brazil's games. His significant contribution helped Brazil secure their second consecutive World Cup title. In the final match against Czechoslovakia, Santos played a crucial role in Brazil's final goal. Noticing that the Slovak goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf was slightly off his line, Santos lofted a long, high-arcing ball into the goalmouth, which, aided by the glare of the afternoon sun, caused Schrojf to mishandle the cross. Brazilian striker Vavá then capitalized on the error, hammering the ball into the net. This intelligent play underscored Santos's tactical acumen. His consistent excellence also led to his inclusion in the All-Star Team for the third time.
4.1.4. 1966 FIFA World Cup
At the age of 37, Djalma Santos was selected for his fourth consecutive World Cup, a decision that surprised some observers who expected Carlos Alberto to be chosen instead. Santos played in Brazil's first two group stage matches. However, following a 1-3 defeat to Hungary, he was dropped from the lineup. Brazil was subsequently eliminated from the tournament in their next game against Portugal. This marked his final World Cup appearance.
5. Style of play
Djalma Santos is widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in the history of football, renowned for his exceptional technical attributes, tactical versatility, and exemplary sportsmanship. Although he began his career in midfield, he found immense success as a defender due to his composure and consistently excellent performances. He was also capable of playing as a centre back.
Santos was known as a quick and physically strong defender, possessing remarkable stamina, excellent marking abilities, and precise tackling. He was also effective in winning aerial duels. His defensive prowess earned him the nickname Muralha (MuralhaThe WallPortuguese) from Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano.
Beyond his defensive solidity, Santos was celebrated for his superb technique and offensive contributions, which significantly contributed to the evolution of the full-back role. Gifted with excellent ball control, proficient dribbling skills, creativity, and accurate distribution, he frequently took on opponents with the ball even in high-pressure, risky situations, including inside his own penalty area. He was among the first full-backs to consistently venture forward and make overlapping attacking runs down the flank, actively participating in his team's offensive plays. Santos was also an accurate penalty kick and set-piece taker, and notable for his ability to execute long throw-ins, further adding to his offensive toolkit.
In addition to his footballing abilities, Djalma Santos was universally recognized as an extremely fair and correct player, an exemplary professional characterized by his strong work-rate, remarkable longevity, discipline in training, and impeccable behavior both on and off the field. Throughout his entire, extensive career, he maintained an unblemished disciplinary record, famously never being sent off from a match.
6. Death
Djalma Santos passed away on July 23, 2013, at the age of 84. He died in a hospital in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, where he had resided for two decades. His death was attributed to pneumonia and severe hemodynamic instability, which ultimately led to cardiac arrest. He had been hospitalized since July 1, 2013.
7. Honours
Djalma Santos amassed an impressive collection of team and individual honours throughout his illustrious career, cementing his status as one of football's all-time greats.
7.1. Club honours
| Club | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguesa | Torneio Rio-São Paulo | 1952, 1955 |
| Portuguesa | Fita Azul Internacional | 1951, 1953, 1954 |
| Palmeiras | Campeonato Paulista | 1959, 1963, 1966 |
| Palmeiras | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 1960 |
| Palmeiras | Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa | 1967 |
| Palmeiras | Taça Brasil | 1967 |
| Palmeiras | Torneio Rio-São Paulo | 1965 |
| Palmeiras | Copa Libertadores Runner-up | 1961, 1968 |
7.2. International honours
| Team | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | FIFA World Cup | 1958, 1962 |
| Brazil | Panamerican Championship | 1952 |
| Brazil | Roca Cup | 1957, 1960, 1963 |
| Brazil | Copa Río Branco | 1968 |
| Brazil | Taça Oswaldo Cruz | 1955, 1956, 1962 |
| Brazil | Taça Bernado O'Higgins | 1959 |
7.3. Individual honours
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1954, 1958, 1962
- World Soccer World XI: 1962, 1963, 1965
- FIFA XI: 1963
- FIFA World Cup All-Time Team: 1994
- FIFA 100: 2004
- The Best of The Best - Player of the Century: Top 50
- Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
8. Legacy and reception
Djalma Santos is widely held in high esteem as one of the greatest right-backs in the history of association football. His historical significance is profound, having been a pivotal figure in the Brazilian national team that secured back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles in 1958 and 1962. His consistent inclusion in three FIFA World Cup All-Star Teams (1954, 1958, 1962) underscores his unparalleled individual performance at the highest level of international competition.
His impact on the game extends beyond his titles. Santos is credited with pioneering the role of the modern attacking full-back, demonstrating that defenders could be integral to offensive plays through their technical skill, dribbling ability, and overlapping runs. This innovative approach influenced generations of players and contributed significantly to the dynamic style of Brazilian football.
Beyond his technical and tactical contributions, Djalma Santos was celebrated for his exceptional professionalism and sportsmanship. His record of never being sent off during his entire career, which spanned over 1,000 professional matches, is a testament to his discipline, fair play, and integrity. This exemplary conduct earned him immense respect from peers, media, and fans alike, solidifying his reputation as a true gentleman of the game.
His legacy is further highlighted by his inclusion in prestigious lists such as Pelé's FIFA 100 and the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team (1994), alongside other footballing legends. His achievements and character continue to inspire and define excellence in football. Notably, he had no blood relation to his frequent defensive partner, Nilton Santos, despite their shared surname and legendary partnership on the field.