20 Facts About Djalma Santos

Djalma Santos is considered to be one of the greatest right-backs of all time.

Djalma Santos was unrelated to his frequent defensive partner Nilton Santos.

Djalma Santos was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Djalma Santos is one of the few footballers to have made over 1,000 professional appearances in his career.

Djalma Santos made history in the three big clubs he played for.

Djalma Santos was an idol at Palmeiras, where he played 498 games for nine years and won several titles, at Portuguesa, where he emerged in professional football and played 510 games, and at Atletico Paranaense, where he ended his career.

Djalma Santos started his career in his hometown with Portuguesa.

Djalma Santos initially played in the centre of defence, but was later moved to the right side of defense.

Djalma Santos was part of one of the best Portuguesa teams of all time, where alongside players like Pinga, Julinho Botelho and Brandaozinho he won the Rio-Sao Paulo Tournament in 1952 and 1955 and the Blue Ribbon in 1951 and 1953.

Djalma Santos is the second largest record holder of games played by the club, 434 in total, between the years 1949 and 1958, second only to Capitao, with 496 games.

Djalma Santos was featured in the first academy alongside stars such as Ademir da Guia, Julinho Botelho, Djalma Dias and Vava.

Djalma Santos made 98 official appearances for Brazil between 1952 and 1968, and was in the squad for four consecutive World Cups between 1954 and 1966.

Djalma Santos made his first appearance against Peru in the Panamerican Championship.

Djalma Santos had lost his place in the side after being dropped in favour of De Sordi, and did not play until the final against Sweden.

Djalma Santos was a regular in the starting lineup, playing in all of Brazil's games.

The inclusion of Djalma Santos in the squad was a surprise to some, with Carlos Alberto expected to be selected instead.

Djalma Santos was a quick and physically strong defender, who was known for his stamina, marking, and tackling ability; he was effective in the air.

Djalma Santos was an accurate penalty kick and set-piece taker, and was known for his ability to take long throw-ins.

Djalma Santos died on 23 July 2013 in hospital in Uberaba, where he had lived for two decades.

Djalma Santos died due to pneumonia and severe hemodynamic instability, culminating with cardiac arrest, having been hospitalized since 1 July 2013.