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Aldair

{{short description|Brazilian footballer (born 1965)}}

{{about|the retired Brazilian international footballer|other people}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Portuguese name|Nascimento|dos Santos}}

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Aldair

|image = Aldair.jpg

|image_size = 230px

|caption = Aldair in 2005

|fullname = Aldair Nascimento dos Santos{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/aldair-nascimento-dos-santos/40509/|title=Aldair|publisher=soccerway.com|access-date=4 July 2022}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1965|11|30}}{{NFT player|id=13641|accessdate=}}

|birth_place = Ilhéus, Brazil

|height = 1.83 m{{cite web|url=http://www.asromacalcio.it/sito-ufficiale/squadra/rosa99-00/aldair.html|title=Aldair|publisher=AS Roma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000619113629/http://www.asromacalcio.it/sito-ufficiale/squadra/rosa99-00/aldair.html|archive-date=19 June 2000}}

|position = Centre back

|years1 = 1985–1989

|years2 = 1989–1990

|years3 = 1990–2003

|years4 = 2003–2004

|years5 = 2005

|years6 = 2007–2009

|clubs1 = Flamengo

|clubs2 = Benfica

|clubs3 = Roma

|clubs4 = Genoa

|clubs5 = Rio Branco

|clubs6 = Murata

|caps1 = 54

|goals1 = 3

|caps2 = 22

|goals2 = 5

|caps3 = 330

|goals3 = 14

|caps4 = 17

|goals4 = 1

|caps5 = 2

|goals5 = 0

|caps6 = 10

|goals6 = 0

|totalcaps = 435

|totalgoals = 23

| nationalyears1 = 1996

| nationalteam1 = Brazil Olympic (O.P.)

| nationalcaps1 = 6

| nationalgoals1 = 0

|nationalyears2 = 1989–2000{{Cite news|title=Aldair Nascimentos dos Santos – International Appearances|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/aldair-intl.html}}

|nationalteam2 = Brazil

|nationalcaps2 = 81

|nationalgoals2 = 3

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport|Men's Football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|BRA}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Cup}}

{{Medal|W|1994 USA}}

{{Medal|RU|1998 France}}

{{MedalCompetition|FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Medal|W|1997 Saudi Arabia}}

{{MedalCompetition|Copa América}}

{{Medal|W|1989 Brazil}}

{{Medal|W|1997 Bolivia}}

{{Medal|RU|1995 Uruguay}}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}

{{MedalBronze|1996 Atlanta|Team}}

}}

Aldair Nascimento dos Santos ({{IPA|pt-BR|awdaˈiʁ|lang}}; born 30 November 1965), known simply as Aldair, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a centre back, and who was part of the Brazil national team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Considered as one of Brazil's greatest defenders ever,{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/18621/6120873/brazils-greatest-defenders|title=Brazil's greatest defenders|date=2022}}{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.givemesport.com/355659-is-the-current-brazil-team-the-best-of-alltime|title=Is the current Brazil team the best of all-time?|date=2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416110844/http://www.givemesport.com/355659-is-the-current-brazil-team-the-best-of-alltime|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=dead}} he spent most of his professional career at Italian club AS Roma, where he later also served as captain, winning the Serie A title with the club in 2001. He is one of the members to have been inducted into the AS Roma Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.asroma.com/en/club/hall-of-fame|title=AS Roma Hall of Fame|publisher=AS Roma|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721014240/http://www.asroma.com/en/club/hall-of-fame|archive-date=21 July 2018|url-status=dead}}

Club career

Aldair started playing at Flamengo where he won the State Championship Campeonato Carioca in 1986. He moved to Europe in 1989, playing with Benfica, winning the Portuguese Supercup, and reaching the European Cup final during his only season with the team.

Aldair subsequently moved to AS Roma in 1990 and played with this club during 13 seasons, until 2003. He played a total of 436 matches with the Giallorossi, scoring 20 goals in total.{{cite web|url=https://www.asroma.com/it/club/storia/hall-of-fame/15264/aldair|title=Aldair|publisher=AS Roma}} During this period he won the Serie A in 2001, one Supercoppa Italiana, and one Coppa Italia in 1991 (also reaching the UEFA Cup final in the same year). Aldair was recognised in 2000 as one of the best players in the world by being selected in the FIFA XI; still, he remained loyal to Roma in spite of the club not having won any major international honours during his time there.

Due to his long career with Roma, Aldair is currently the most-capped foreign player in the Italian club's history and the club decided to retire his number 6 jersey when he left the team in 2003. However, this retirement was not permanent, as in 2013 the shirt number 6 has been conceded to Kevin Strootman, with Aldair's approval.{{cite web| url = http://www.repubblica.it/ultimora/sport/CALCIO-ROMA-STROOTMAN-AVRA-MAGLIA-N-6-DI-ALDAIR/news-dettaglio/4375640| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180311173915/http://www.repubblica.it/ultimora/sport/CALCIO-ROMA-STROOTMAN-AVRA-MAGLIA-N-6-DI-ALDAIR/news-dettaglio/4375640| archive-date = 2018-03-11| title = CALCIO, ROMA: STROOTMAN AVRA' MAGLIA N. 6 DI ALDAIR {{!}} News Sport {{!}} Repubblica.it}} In 1998, he was chosen to be the captain of the Giallorossi but preferred to grant the armband to the then 22-years old Francesco Totti.{{Cite web|url=http://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/aldair-totti-un-leader-silenzioso-scelsi-io-di-dargli-la-fascia-da-capitano|title = Aldair: "Totti un leader silenzioso, scelsi io di dargli la fascia da capitano"}} For his contribution to the club, Aldair was included into the AS Roma Hall of Fame in 2012, and thus recognized as one of the best footballers in the club's history. He was nicknamed "Pluto" by Roma fans.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ultimouomo.com/pluto-aldair-classe-e-lentezza/|title=Pluto Aldair: Classe e lentezza|date=5 October 2016}}

After Roma, Aldair then briefly joined Genoa. In July 2005, Aldair announced plans of playing for Rio Branco, and played two games for the club in the state championship, helping his team to win the title.

Former teammate and good friend Massimo Agostini convinced him to play in San Marino for SS Murata in order to boost their Champions League campaign. After Murata's dreadful 7–1 aggregate defeat to Cypriots APOEL in the first round of qualifying for the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, Agostini decided to call upon Aldair to join him on the Italian Peninsula. Aldair took part in the Champions League qualifying stage in July 2007.

International career

Aldair was part of the Brazilian squad that took part at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. In 1994, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he played for the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Originally not included in the squad announced on 10 May 1994, he was called up as replacement when Carlos Mozer had to withdraw due to illness. He also played for Brazil in the 1998 World Cup, as Brazil went on to reach the final once again, only to be defeated by France. He took part in three Copa América's with Brazil, winning the title in 1989 and 1997, whilst earning a runners-up medal in 1995. Aldair won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, and was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. In addition to these tournaments, Aldair also took part in two friendly tournaments with Brazil, winning the 1995 Umbro Cup, and finishing in second place in the 1997 Tournoi de France. In total, he appeared 81 times for Brazil between 1989 and 2000, scoring three goals.{{cite web|url=http://en.sambafoot.com/players/164_Aldair.html |title=''Aldair's profile on sambafoot.com |access-date=28 September 2007 |date=4 July 2007 |publisher=Sambafoot |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027210644/http://en.sambafoot.com/players/164_Aldair.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}

Style of play

An elegant and tactically versatile defender, Aldair was capable of playing both as a sweeper and centre back, due to his vision, technical ability and passing range. His confidence on the ball and, in particular, his adeptness at long balls enabled him to advance into midfield and create chances for teammates. Although he was not particularly quick, he was a strong defender who excelled in the air. He also excelled at anticipating opponents with well-timed challenges due to his ability to read the game. In addition to his defensive and technical skills, Aldair was also known for his leadership and sportsmanship throughout his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/nascimento-dos-santos-aldair_%28Enciclopedia_dello_Sport%29/|title=ALDAIR, Nascimento Dos Santos|work=Enciclopedia dello Sport Treccani|author1=Darwin Pastorin|language=it|access-date=5 June 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1999/08/20/la-rabbia-di-capello.html|title=La rabbia di Capello|work=La Repubblica|author1=Corrado Zunino|language=it|access-date=5 June 2015|date=20 August 1998}}{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1992/novembre/26/paure_della_Roma_passano_con_co_0_92112610416.shtml|title=le paure della Roma passano con Aldair|work=Il Corriere della Sera|author1=Franco Melli|language=it|access-date=5 June 2015|date=26 November 1992}}

Career statistics

=Club=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{WorldFootball.net|aldair}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="6"|Flamengo

|1985

|Série A

|–

–|
1986

|Série A

|23

1231
1987

|Série A

|7

070
1988

|Série A

|24

2242
1989

|Série A

|–

–|
colspan="2"|Total

!54

3543
Benfica

|1989–90

|Primeira Divisão

|22

520811{{efn|Appearances in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira}}0336
rowspan="14"|Roma

|1990–91

|Serie A

|29

290110colspan="2"|—492
1991–92

|Serie A

|33

330601{{efn|Appearances in Supercoppa Italiana}}0433
1992–93

|Serie A

|28

27072colspan="2"|—424
1993–94

|Serie A

|12

00000colspan="2"|—120
1994–95

|Serie A

|28

15000colspan="2"|—331
1995–96

|Serie A

|31

01070colspan="2"|—390
1996–97

|Serie A

|32

20040colspan="2"|—362
1997–98

|Serie A

|28

36200colspan="2"|—345
1998–99

|Serie A

|27

03070colspan="2"|—370
1999–2000

|Serie A

|34

14081colspan="2"|—462
2000–01

|Serie A

|15

01031colspan="2"|—191
2001–02

|Serie A

|16

0106000230
2002–03

|Serie A

|17

01050colspan="2"|—230
colspan="2"|Total

!330

144126441043620
Genoa

|2003–04

|Serie B

|17

100colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—17|1
Rio Branco

|2005

|Série C

|–

–colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—2{{efn|Appearances in Campeonato Capixaba Série B}}020
rowspan="3"|Murata

|2007–08

|Campionato Sammarinese

|10

010110
2008–09

|Campionato Sammarinese

|–

–1010
colspan="2"|Total

!10

020120
colspan=3|Total

!433

234327454055430

{{notelist}}

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

rowspan="12"|Brazil

|1989

|15

0
1990

|3

1
1991

|0

0
1992

|0

0
1993

|0

0
1994

|11

0
1995

|13

1
1996

|2

0
1997

|19

1
1998

|9

0
1999

|3

0
2000

|6

0
colspan="2"|Total81||3

Honours

=Club=

;Flamengo{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/football/aldair.html|title=Aldair|publisher=Yahoo.com|access-date=5 February 2016}}

;Benfica

;Roma

;Rio Branco

;Murata{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/aldair-nascimento-dos-santos/40509/|title=Aldair|work=Soccerway|access-date=5 February 2016}}

=International=

;Brazil

=Individual=

  • FIFA XI: 2000{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-xi.html|title=FIFA XI's Matches – Full Info}}
  • Golden Foot: 2008, as football legend{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends.html |title=Golden Foot Legends |website=goldenfoot.com |access-date=27 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416024500/http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends.html |archive-date=16 April 2015 }}
  • AS Roma Hall of Fame: 2012

See also

{{Portal|Association football|Brazil}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{FIFA player|63545}}
  • {{NFT player|13641}}
  • {{ForaDeJogo|196511300001}}
  • {{WorldFootball.net|aldair}}
  • {{Olympics.com profile|aldair}}
  • {{Olympedia}}
  • {{BOC profile}}

{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}

{{AS Roma Hall of Fame}}

{{navboxes

|title=Brazil squad

|bg= #FBEC5D

|fg= #008000

|list1=

{{Brazil squad 1989 Copa América}}

{{Brazil squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Brazil squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Brazil squad 1995 Copa América}}

{{Brazil men's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}

{{Brazil squad 1997 Copa América}}

{{Brazil squad 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Brazil squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aldair}}

Category:1965 births

Category:Living people

Category:Brazilian men's footballers

Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Brazil men's international footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in San Marino

Category:CR Flamengo footballers

Category:1989 Copa América players

Category:1995 Copa América players

Category:1997 Copa América players

Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players

Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players

Category:1997 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players

Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players

Category:Copa América–winning players

Category:FIFA Confederations Cup–winning players

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics

Category:AS Roma players

Category:S.L. Benfica footballers

Category:Genoa CFC players

Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Brazil

Category:Olympic footballers for Brazil

Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players

Category:Serie A players

Category:Serie B players

Category:Primeira Liga players

Category:SS Murata players

Category:Olympic medalists in football

Category:Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics

Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in San Marino

Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal

Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:People from Ilhéus

Category:Footballers from Bahia

Category:20th-century Brazilian sportsmen