U10/U11 2010R

One of our players is the grandson of the great Didi. Here is a summary of Didi's professional life and a great video (in Portuguese) showing his amazing Folha Seca shot. This shot is what allowed Brazil to qualify for the 1958 World Cup with only 8 minutes to go in a match against Peru. They went on to win the 58 cup, for the first time for Brazil.

"Didi (1929-2001) can be defined by two nicknames given by writer Nelson Rodrigues. They were the "Ethiopian Prince," because of the rare elegance, beauty and coolness of his game, and the "Mother of the wooden legs" because with his long, accurate, brilliant passes, the would transform common attackers into relentless scorers. As for the international press, Didi, cerebral player, team’s brain, he was "Mr. Football".

It was this way that he made the glory of Carlyle, the legendary striker of the Carioca Championship of 1951, Didi’s only title in  almost ten years of playing for Fluminense. Misunderstood genius, he would trade the Laranjeiras in 1956 for Botafogo in Brazil's largest soccer transaction by then. A year later, he was already champion in Rio wearing the new shirt. But it was in the national team during the World Cup qualifiers in 1958, that the midfielder became national idol. With eight minutes to go, the match against Peru in the Maracana persisted 0 x 0, the spot in the World Cup was going for a draw. Didi took on a free kick. The keeper saw the ball going over the top bar but suddenly it fell into the net.

It was the “folha seca” a shot full of effect with the trademark of Didi. Then came the international recognition. Holder absolute and undisputed leader of the Brazilian team that won the World Cup in Sweden, in the midst of wild beasts such as Pele, Garrincha and Zito, Didi was appointed by many as the best player of the tournament. He was the maestro of the conquest of two titles in Rio in 1961 and 1962 and once again shone in the eyes of the world on the national team that came back with the Cup in Chile in 1962".



Valdir Pereira

Born: 08/10/1929, Campos, Rio de Janeiro
Weight: 59kg
Height: 1,70m

Clubs:   

• Americano (1945);   
• Lençoense (1945);   
• Madureira (1946);   
• Fluminense (1947 to 1956);   
• Botafogo (1956 to 1958);   
• Real Madrid-ESP (1959 to1961  
• Botafogo (1961, 1962);   
• São Paulo (1963)

 Titles:

• Rio (1951/1957/1961/1962);
• FIFA World Cup (1958/1962)

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