Didi

1947/49 Madureira (BRE) 32 games, 8 goals

1949/56 Fluminense (BRE) 298 games, 91 goals

1956/59 Botafogo (BRE) 64 games, 40 goals

1959/60 Real Madrid (ESP) 19 games, 6 goals

1960/62 Botafogo (BRE) 44 games, 19 goals

1963 Sporting Cristal (PER) 32 games, 4 goals

1964 São Paulo (BRE)

1964/65 Botafogo (BRE) 11 games, 1 goal

1965/66 Vera Cruz (MEX) 29 games, 4 goals

1966 São Paulo (BRE) 4 games

With the National Team :

68 caps, 20 goals

(Friendly matches: 17 caps, 3 goals)

(World Cup qualifiers: 6 caps, 1 goal)

(World Cup: 15 caps, 3 goals)

(Copa America: 17 caps, 10 goals)

(Pan American Games: 5 caps, 1 goal)

(Copa Oswaldo Cruz: 5 caps, 1 goal)

(Copa Bernardo O'Higgins: 3 caps, 1 goal)

1st cap: April 6, 1952 against Mexico (2-0)

Last cap: June 17, 1962 against Czechoslovakia (3-1)

Waldir Valdir Pereira "Didi"

Born October 8, 1929 in Campos dos Goytacazes (BRE)

Died May 12, 2001 in Rio de Janeiro (BRE)

Brazilian, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, defensive midfielder, 1m71

Nicknames: Senhor Futebol, Príncipe Etíope de Rancho

Didi was born on October 8, 1929 in Campos dos Goytacazes in Brazil. The young player played in several clubs in the youth categories: São Cristóvão, Industrial, Rio Branco, Goytacaz, Americano before making his professional debut in Madureira, at the age of 17. Technically gifted, he could play in different positions in midfield, from attacking midfielder to defensive midfielder despite his 1.71 meters.

In 1949, the player joined the great club Fluminense. There, he established himself as the best player in the team and as one of the first legends of Maracanã. He spent 7 years there, for a Rio de Janeiro championship and a Rio Cup.

He left for Botafogo in 1956 at the age of 26 as one of the best, if not the best, players in the country who were still traumatized by the failure in the final of the previous World Cup. The player also joined the Seleçao in 1952, during a match against Mexico he made his debut, Brazil won 2-0.

Didi took part in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, unfortunately, his team was beaten by the future finalist of the edition, the Hungarians of Puskas, Hidegkuti and Boszik, to name but a few. But the player knew how to shine individually and became a world football star, a remarkable passer, organizer of the game and formidable finisher, he was then a complete midfielder, ahead of his time.

At Botafogo, the player continued his momentum, in 3 years, the player scored 40 goals in 64 matches! As an attacking midfielder. Very modern in his game, he is known for being the inventor of the "folha seca", the dead leaf free kick, a brushed shot that goes smoothly into the top corner.

Brazil arrives at the 1958 World Cup in the skin of revenge seekers, the criticisms are numerous towards the national team whose very "primitive" football is criticized. A high-tech football, made of crazy dribbling and unpredictable combinations.

And with Didi at the origins of the Brazilian offensives, Brazil will simply shut the mouths of the arrogant, even racist, European journalists of the time. Didi is simply unplayable, Pelé, who was inspired by the work ethic of the Brazilian midfielder will say of him "I am nothing compared to Didi [...] I will never be as gifted as him, he is my idol."

In Brazil's 4-2-4, Didi played as a playmaker, slowing down and speeding up the game, constantly. Sometimes retreating on the field, he played in a role similar to Andrea Pirlo. In the shadow of the aura of the young Pelé in the newspapers, on the field it was Didi who was the best player of the time, rightly so, he was voted best player of the tournament.

In the final, he gave a masterclass, while Sweden was leading, Didi showed one of his great qualities, his calm. For the record, it was he who went to get the ball in the net, after the Swedish goal, and who brought the ball back to the center circle. There, Zagallo exclaimed "Come on Didi, we're losing!", the midfielder simply replied: "Calm down, we're still a better team than them". And the outcome of the match proved him right, Brazil won without forcing 5-2. Brazil is world champion for the first time in its history!

In the summer of 1959, the 29-year-old player arrived at Real Madrid, with the aim of supporting Alfredo Di Stefano, then taking his place. But the adventure in Spain was a complete failure. The Spanish media of the time took Di Stefano's side and began to spread false rumors about the player and to criticize him unfairly.

The relationship with Di Stefano was also a failure, the Argentinian player did not hesitate to take the ball directly from the legs of the Brazilian player whom he considered too slow. It was more of a battle of egos... The critics slammed the Brazilian player... And Di Stefano finally won the duel.

Didi returned directly to his country, after having won the 1960 Champions League, in which he did not play a single minute. Back at Botafogo, he found his "level". There, he won the Rio State Championship again in 1961 and 1962. He also won the 1962 World Cup and entered the very exclusive club of double world champions.

On the decline, he left Botafogo in 1962, and made a series of clubs, still maintaining a very good level. He finally retired in 1967, at the age of 39, after an incredible career, which could have been even more so without the problems related to Di Stefano.

- Voted best player of the World Cup in 1958

- Named in the typical team of the World Cup 1958

- Inducted into the Hall of Fame of Brazilian football

- Belfort Duarte Prize in 1955

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