Roberto Dias
Encyclopedia
Roberto Dias Branco or simply Roberto Dias (7 January 1943, São Paulo
– 26 September 2007) was a footballer with São Paulo FC
in Brazil
. He was considered by Pelé
to be the greatest Brazilian central defenders of the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his finesse on defense--a player who didn't need to show a rough side. He just knew how to cover and always seemed one step ahead of the forwards he covered--including Pelé
. In fact, Pelé
admitted that Roberto Dias was the only central defender who could truly mark him. In one memorable game between Pelé's Santos FC
and São Paulo FC
in the 1967 edition of the Campeonato Paulista
, which would ultimately end in a 3-3 draw, Dias, kept Pelé scoreless while scoring 2 goals in the process.
Roberto Dias was on the 1960 Olympic football
team in Rome
. Despite his stellar career, Dias was not given a spot on the 1966 FIFA World Cup
team, when Coach Feola opted to call up an ageing Zito
to the squad instead of one of the most dominating defenders in Brazil. Furthermore, in 1973, at the age of 30, he suffered a heart attack, which robbed him of the best years of his career. He was never quite the same.
Despite these hiccups, there was no doubt that Dias is a phenomenal player. The São Paulo teams he played for were never really contenders--the board opted to spend their money in the construction of Estádio do Morumbi
instead of on players. It should come as no surprise then when Pelé was passed his prime...and the construction of Morumbi completed in 1970, São Paulo FC
promptly won two Paulistas. He earned 27 caps for Brazil
.
After many years training and working as coach for the São Paulo FC youth team, Roberto Dias suffered a fatal heart attack and died in São Paulo. In honor to the its greatest defender the SPFC team played with a black armband in the 2nd game against Boca Juniors for the 2007 Sudamerica Cup.
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
– 26 September 2007) was a footballer with São Paulo FC
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
in Brazil
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...
. He was considered by Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
to be the greatest Brazilian central defenders of the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his finesse on defense--a player who didn't need to show a rough side. He just knew how to cover and always seemed one step ahead of the forwards he covered--including Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
. In fact, Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
admitted that Roberto Dias was the only central defender who could truly mark him. In one memorable game between Pelé's Santos FC
Santos Futebol Clube
Santos Futebol Clube is a Brazilian professional football club based in Santos, São Paulo They play in the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest professional leagues in São Paulo state and Brazil, respectively....
and São Paulo FC
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
in the 1967 edition of the Campeonato Paulista
Campeonato Paulista
The Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Profissional da Primeira Divisão - Série A1, simply known as the Campeonato Paulista, is the top-flight professional football league in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The league is contested between 20 clubs and typically lasts from January to April...
, which would ultimately end in a 3-3 draw, Dias, kept Pelé scoreless while scoring 2 goals in the process.
Roberto Dias was on the 1960 Olympic football
Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics was held from 26 August to 10 September in 1960 throughout Italy.-Venues:-Medalists:-Group A:---------------------Group B:---------------------Group C:--------...
team in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Despite his stellar career, Dias was not given a spot on the 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
team, when Coach Feola opted to call up an ageing Zito
José Ely de Miranda
José Ely de Miranda, best known as Zito was an association footballer who played in defensive midfield....
to the squad instead of one of the most dominating defenders in Brazil. Furthermore, in 1973, at the age of 30, he suffered a heart attack, which robbed him of the best years of his career. He was never quite the same.
Despite these hiccups, there was no doubt that Dias is a phenomenal player. The São Paulo teams he played for were never really contenders--the board opted to spend their money in the construction of Estádio do Morumbi
Estádio do Morumbi
Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo is a stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, home of São Paulo Futebol Clube and its formal name honors Cícero Pompeu de Toledo, who was São Paulo FC's chairman during most of the stadium construction, and died before its inauguration....
instead of on players. It should come as no surprise then when Pelé was passed his prime...and the construction of Morumbi completed in 1970, São Paulo FC
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
promptly won two Paulistas. He earned 27 caps for Brazil
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...
.
After many years training and working as coach for the São Paulo FC youth team, Roberto Dias suffered a fatal heart attack and died in São Paulo. In honor to the its greatest defender the SPFC team played with a black armband in the 2nd game against Boca Juniors for the 2007 Sudamerica Cup.
Clubs
- São Paulo FCSão Paulo Futebol ClubeSão Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
(1959-1973) - CEUB-DFCentro de Ensino Unificado de Brasília Esporte ClubeCentro de Ensino Unificado de Brasília Esporte Clube, commonly known as CEUB, were a Brazilian football club from Brasília. They won the Campeonato Brasiliense once and competed in the Série A three times.-History:...
(1973) - Dom Bosco-MT (1973)
- JaliscoJaliscoJalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
Mexico(1974-77) - Nacional-SP (1978)