Dondinho

1938/39 Yuracán-MG (BRA)

1939 Hepcaré (BRA)

1940 Atlético Mineiro (BRA) 1 match

1942/1946 São Lourenço-MG (BRA)

1944 Vasco de São Lourenço-MG (BRA)

1946/1952 Bauru AC (BRA) 199 matches, 137 goals

João Ramos do Nascimento known as "Dondinho" was born on October 2, 1917 in Campos Gerais, Brazil, is the father of Pelé and also an excellent player with a tragic destiny. Much more than just the father of the legend, he will have a record that was still unmatched until then, scoring 5 goals with his head in the same match.

Dondinho was a milk delivery boy, with a tall and strong physique, it is said that he was better than Pelé for some supporters of the time. He is said to have already scored a goal by dribbling the entire opposing team before scoring with his head.

A true local star, he had the reputation of being one of the best headed scorers in history. Against Yuracan, he also scored 5 headed goals in a 5-2 victory for his club.

Dondinho was considered a star in Brazil, he had an exceptional aerial game and very good ball control. He used to drop down the field, going lower to have the ball. With his ball quality, he brought the ball up by dribbling or passing.

He was recruited in 1940 by the Atlético Mineiro club, a real springboard for his career, but this match was also the beginning of hell for the player who was mowed down by the São Cristóvão defender during this match on April 7, 1940. Dondinho remained on the ground, it was then a serious knee injury.

Unable to return to his level, the player was dismissed and it was the beginning of the struggles, because the same year, his wife gave birth to his son Edson (Pelé). They were then in very bad financial shape. He returned to football in 1942, at São Lourenço-MG.

Subsequently, he joined the Bauru AC club, he found a consistent level and scored 137 goals in 199 matches. There, he won the 3rd and last trophy of his career, the amateur championship of the State of São Paulo, the club's biggest title.

Dondinho finally ended his career in 1952 when he was 36 years old and had a swollen knee, believing in his son's talent he supported him in his future desire to play football, unlike his wife who was still traumatized by the precariousness of the football profession.

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