Career
Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was a pioneering left back, being one of first full backs to participate in the offensive game. Once he said: "I have never envied today"s players the money but the freedom they have, to go forward". He played all his professional club career for de Futebol e Regatas.
He was called "The Encyclopedia" because of his knowledge of the sport of football.
Dribbling his way through the whole field, he finished with a superb shot, driving his coach Vicente Feola crazy (he kept on insisting for Nílton to retreat to the defensive field, but was ignored until the goal was scored). Nílton Santos played for only two teams in his professional career.
De Futebol e Regatas and the ian national team collecting 75 caps and scoring 3 goals. Santos died of a lung infection on 27 November 2013, aged 88, in Rio de Janeiro.
Club Country Individual IFFHS ian Player of the 20th Century (9th place) ian Football Museum Hall of Fame.