NILTON dos Reis SANTOS, Brazil
Botafogo
1949-1965

As the career of Nilton Santos matured, so did Brazilian football. A stalwart left-back, he debuted for Brazil in the 1949 Copa America. Although a member of the 1950 World Cup team, it wasn't until he stepped on the field in 1954 that Team Brazil's fortunes began a steady rise. That team reached the quarter-finals, and then World Cup Championships in 1958 and 1962. A powerful attacking left fullback, he was instrumental in adding balance and putting even greater pressure on defenses who had enough to contend with in Pele, Didi and Garrincha.