Didi

Brazil's two-time World Cup-winning midfielder and inventor of the folha seca free kick.

Didi, born Waldyr Pereira on 8 October 1928, was a Brazilian footballer who played in midfield or up front and died on 12 May 2001. He appeared at three FIFA World Cups, in 1954, 1958 and 1962, and won the last two. Admired for elegance and technique, he could pass over any distance, had great stamina, and was a free-kick specialist credited with inventing the folha seca, or dry leaf, a dead-ball strike that dips suddenly toward goal. For Brazil he scored 20 goals in 68 internationals, a dozen of them from free kicks, and he was named player of the tournament at the 1958 World Cup.

Quick Facts

Full name: Waldyr Pereira
Born: 8 October 1928
Birthplace: Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
Died: 12 May 2001
Place of death: Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Height: 1.72 m / 5 ft 8 in
Position: Midfielder; Inside forward

Facts from the source article.

Background

Didi grew up poor in Campos dos Goytacazes, north of Rio de Janeiro, selling peanuts to help his family and playing football in the street. At 14 a knee infection almost cost him his right leg. He turned professional with Madureira and made his name at Fluminense from 1949 to 1956, playing 298 matches and scoring 91 goals. On 16 June 1950 he scored the first ever goal at the Maracanã Stadium. At the 1954 World Cup he scored against Mexico and Yugoslavia before Brazil lost to Hungary in the Battle of Berne. After joining Botafogo he won the Rio state title in 1957, then led Brazil from midfield to the 1958 crown.

Did You Know?

After Botafogo's 1957 title Didi kept a promise to walk home from the Maracanã in his kit, and 5,000 fans joined him.
He was part of the Brazil side that won the 1952 Panamerican Championship in Chile.
His son Bibi also became a professional footballer.
His Peru side at the 1970 World Cup fell to Brazil in the quarter-finals.