_-_El_Gr%25C3%25A1fico_818.jpg) Waldermar playing for San Lorenzo in 1935 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Waldemar de Brito | ||
| Date of birth | (1913-05-17)17 May 1913 | ||
| Place of birth | São Paulo,Brazil | ||
| Date of death | 21 February 1979(1979-02-21) (aged 65) | ||
| Place of death | São Paulo,Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1923–1927 | São Paulo | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1927–1932 | Syrio[1] | 40 | (12) |
| 1928 | →Independência (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1933–1934 | São Paulo[2] | 17 | (22) |
| 1934 | Botafogo[3] | - | (-) |
| 1935–1937 | San Lorenzo | 3 | (3) |
| 1937–1939 | Flamengo[4] | 32 | (20) |
| 1939–1941 | San Lorenzo | 42 | (22) |
| 1942–1943 | São Paulo | 17 | (21) |
| 1944 | Fluminense[3] | - | (-) |
| 1944 | Portuguesa[1] | 8 | (5) |
| 1945–1946 | Palmeiras[1] | 5 | (3) |
| 1946 | Portuguesa Santista | 6 | (5) |
| Total | 173 | (113) | |
| International career | |||
| 1934–1942 | Brazil | 18 | (18) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Waldemar de Brito (Portuguese pronunciation:[vɐwdeˈmaʁdʒiˈbɾitu], 17 May 1913 – 21 February 1979) was a Brazilianfootballer who played as aforward for several clubs in Brazil andArgentina, as well as for theBrazil national team. He is acknowledged to have discoveredPelé during the latter's early footballing days. His brother,Petronilho de Brito, was also a footballer.[5]
Waldemar, a native ofSão Paulo, played as aninside forward or ascentre forward. At the beginning of his career, he played for the local clubsSyrio,Independência, andSão Paulo da Floresta, today'sSão Paulo FC; he was top goalscorer of theRio-São Paulo Tournament with 21 goals.[6] The following year, he moved toBotafogo, where he spent a short time, before transferring toSan Lorenzo de Almagro in theArgentine first division. In 1936, he returned to Brazil, this time to play forFlamengo. He went back to São Paulo in 1943, to play forPortuguesa de Desportos. He finished his playing career in 1945 withPortuguesa Santista.[7]
Waldemar wascapped 18 times for theBrazil national team, scoring 18 goals.[8] He played at the1934 World Cup, where Brazil was eliminated bySpain in the first round. In that match, Waldemar took apenalty kick for Brazil, but Spain goalkeeperRicardo Zamora saved his shot.[9]
After he retired, Waldemar de Brito was part of a project to scout young talents at Bauru Atlético Clube. In 1954, he spotted a kid namedEdson Arantes do Nascimento, whom he took toSantos FC, predicting that he would become the greatest footballer in the world.[6][10] Although Waldemar is recognized for his own talent while he was a player, it is perhaps hisscouting ofPelé that makes him most notable in the history of football in Brazil.
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