Danilo Alvim
Encyclopedia
Danilo Alvim Faria was a Brazil
ian footballer. He was a member of the ill-fated Brazilian
1950 World Cup team.
's Rio de Janeiro
squad practiced against them in 1941. He was asked to fill in for one of the injured players and so impressed the famous coach that he was asked to join the squad. At first he thought it was a joke, but when he realized it was true he went out to celebrate. On his way back home he was hit by a car and had his leg broken (in 39 places according to some sources).
In 1942 he came back to América and was cut by the manager to save costs. Rather than cutting him outright the team's directors sent him to Canto do Rio
where he led the team to a Rio de Janeiro championship. He was promptly recalled to América as well as the Rio de Janeiro state team that Flávio Costa had invited him to join before his accident. In 1946 he joined Vasco de Gama
and became a huge part of the "expresso da vitória" (the victory express), one of Brazil's best ever club teams and the first to win an international title (the South American club championship
in 1948 - before the Copa Libertadores came to be). Danilo retired while playing for Botafogo
.
. He was a starter for the famous 1950 World Cup team, unjustly remembered for losing the last game to Uruguay
, despite being one of Brazil's best ever squads. Brazil only needed to draw Uruguay
to win the 1950 FIFA World Cup
at the Maracanã stadium
. Uruguay came from a goal down to win the match 2-1. This defeat is remembered today as the Maracanaço. It is considered Brazil's worst disaster in history.
Danilo is, till today, considered one of Brazil's most complete centre-halves and, by some, a top 10 among Brazil's craques. Just as Ademir
and others on the 1950 team, he would likely be regarded even more highly if it were not for that one day in the Maracanã stadium.
to their only title - Copa América
- with a 5-4 win over Brazil along the way.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian footballer. He was a member of the ill-fated Brazilian
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
1950 World Cup team.
Career
Danilo Alvim was an amateur playing with América when Flávio CostaFlávio Costa
Flávio Rodrigues da Costa was a Brazilian football player and manager. He was born in Carangola, Minas Gerais....
's Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
squad practiced against them in 1941. He was asked to fill in for one of the injured players and so impressed the famous coach that he was asked to join the squad. At first he thought it was a joke, but when he realized it was true he went out to celebrate. On his way back home he was hit by a car and had his leg broken (in 39 places according to some sources).
In 1942 he came back to América and was cut by the manager to save costs. Rather than cutting him outright the team's directors sent him to Canto do Rio
Canto do Rio Football Club
Canto do Rio Foot-Ball Club, commonly known as Canto do Rio, is a sports and social club from Niterói in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...
where he led the team to a Rio de Janeiro championship. He was promptly recalled to América as well as the Rio de Janeiro state team that Flávio Costa had invited him to join before his accident. In 1946 he joined Vasco de Gama
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama |Rowing Club]]), usually known as Vasco da Gama or simply Vasco, is a famous and traditional Brazilian multisports club from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, founded on August 21, 1898...
and became a huge part of the "expresso da vitória" (the victory express), one of Brazil's best ever club teams and the first to win an international title (the South American club championship
South American Club Championship (football)
The South American Championship of Champions was a football competition played in 1948 and the first continental-wide tournament in the history of the sport. It was played between February 11 and March 17. Vasco da Gama won the competition after earning the most points in the round-robin tournament...
in 1948 - before the Copa Libertadores came to be). Danilo retired while playing for Botafogo
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas , also known as Botafogo and familiarly as Estrela Solitária, is a Brazilian sports club based in Botafogo, neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, best known for its football team. They play in the Campeonato Carioca, Rio de Janeiro's state league, and the Campeonato...
.
National team
He played 25 games between 1946 and 1953, winning the 1949 Copa AméricaCopa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
. He was a starter for the famous 1950 World Cup team, unjustly remembered for losing the last game to Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, despite being one of Brazil's best ever squads. Brazil only needed to draw Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
to win the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
at the Maracanã stadium
Estádio do Maracanã
The Estádio do Maracanã , officially Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, is an open-air stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, it is named after the Maracanã neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. It was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup, and in the final...
. Uruguay came from a goal down to win the match 2-1. This defeat is remembered today as the Maracanaço. It is considered Brazil's worst disaster in history.
Danilo is, till today, considered one of Brazil's most complete centre-halves and, by some, a top 10 among Brazil's craques. Just as Ademir
Ademir Marques de Menezes
Ademir Marques de Menezes , best known as Ademir , was a Brazilian footballer, regarded as one of the best centre forwards in the history of the Brazil national team. His prominent jawbone earned him the nickname Queixada, which means "Jaw".He is best known for his exploits in the World Cup 1950...
and others on the 1950 team, he would likely be regarded even more highly if it were not for that one day in the Maracanã stadium.
Coaching
After ending his playing career and revealing that ever since his accident he could never fully extend or bend his right leg, Danilo became a coach. In 1963, he led BoliviaBolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
to their only title - Copa América
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
- with a 5-4 win over Brazil along the way.