DIDÍ Waldyr Pereira (minor update) (Patreon)

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Waldyr Pereira, also known as Didi (Portuguese pronunciation: [dʒiˈdʒi]; 8 October 1928 – 12 May 2001), was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder or as a forward and is considered one of the best football players of all time. He played in three FIFA World Cups (1954, 1958, and 1962), winning the latter two and was awarded the Golden Ball, given to the tournament's best player, for his performance at the 1958 competition.

Considered as an elegant and technical player, Didi was renowned for his range of passing, stamina and technique. He also was a free-kick specialist, being famous for inventing the folha seca (dry leaf) dead ball free kicks, notably used by modern-day players such as Juninho and Cristiano Ronaldo, where the ball would swerve downward unexpectedly at a point resulting in a goal.[3][4][5]

During his career, he was part of Fluminense FC between the end of the 1940s to the mid-1950s and one of the main players of the iconic squad of Botafogo FR in the early 1960s with other world champions such as Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Zagallo and Amarildo.

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1958, 1962[11]

• Copa Oswaldo Cruz: 1955, 1958, 1961, 1962

• O'Higgins Cup: 1955, 1961

• Pan American Games: 1952

• Atlantic Cup: 1956

Botafogo

• Campeonato Carioca: 1957, 1961, 1962[11]

• Torneio Rio – São Paulo: 1962[11]

• Tournament Home: 1961, 1962, 1963

• Colombia International Tournament: 1960

• Pentagonal Club of Mexico: 1962

Fluminense

• Copa Rio: 1952

• State Championship: 1951

Real Madrid[11]

• European Cup: 1960[11]

• Ramon de Carranza Trophy: 1959

Individual

• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1958[12]

• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1958

• IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century (7th place)[13]

• IFFHS World Player of the 20th Century (19th place)[13]

• The Best of The Best – Player of the Century: Top 50[14]

• Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame

• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Bronze): 2020[15]

• IFFHS South America Men's Team of All Time: 2021