When did Djalma Santos begin his professional football career?
Djalma Santos began his professional football career in 1949 with Portuguesa. He started as a central defender before coaches moved him to the right side of defense.
Questions about Djalma Santos
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Which clubs did Djalma Santos play for during his professional career?
Djalma Santos played for Portuguesa and Palmeiras between 1949 and 1967. He spent nine seasons at Palmeiras from 1958 until 1967 while winning multiple titles including the Brazilian Championships in 1960 and 1967.
How many World Cups did Djalma Santos participate in for Brazil?
Djalma Santos represented Brazil in four consecutive World Cups from 1954 through 1966. He made his debut against Mexico in 1954 and won the tournament in 1958 despite playing limited minutes until the final match.
What nickname did Eduardo Galeano give to Djalma Santos?
Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano called Djalma Santos Muralha which means The Wall due to his defensive strength. This nickname reflected his ability to remain difficult to dislodge during one-on-one situations inside his own penalty area.
Did Djalma Santos ever receive a red card during his professional football career?
Throughout his entire professional career spanning over 1,000 games Djalma Santos never received a red card. That streak lasted until retirement at age 42 and no other player from that era matched this level of consistency in conduct.