Nílton Santos

Brazil · Left-back · Gen 1 · Pelé & Maradona · Peak 1950-1962

The Encyclopedia, a left-back who pioneered attacking overlaps

Nicknames A Enciclopédia do Futebol

82.5OVR#51 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“Tall, powerfully built, elegant and versatile.”
— Brian Glanville, The Guardian journalist · 2013 · source

Category averages

  • Speed77.3
  • Shooting64.8
  • Passing78.9
  • Ball Control83.2
  • Movement77.2
  • Football IQ87.0
  • Defending Skill86.5
  • Physical77.6
  • Mental85.7
  • Career92.2

Top 10 attributes

  1. Loyalty99
  2. Longevity96
  3. Consistency92
  4. Decision Making90
  5. Defensive Positioning88
  6. Standing Tackle88
  7. Big-Game Temperament88
  8. Concentration88
  9. Determination88
  10. Durability88

All 64 attributes

Speed 77.3

  • Top Speed79
  • Acceleration81
  • Dribbling Speed77
  • Top Speed with Ball78
  • Knock-on & Run71
  • Change of Pace78

Shooting 64.8

  • Finishing66
  • Shot Power74
  • Long Shots72
  • Volleys60
  • Curve74
  • Penalties62
  • Heading72
  • Direct Free Kicks58
  • Shooting Creativity62
  • Acrobatics48

Passing 78.9

  • Short Passing84
  • Long Passing78
  • Through Balls76
  • Crossing82
  • Link-up Play82
  • Vision80
  • Set-Piece Delivery70

Ball Control 83.2

  • Dribbling86
  • Possession87
  • First Touch86
  • Skills & Tricks82
  • Weak Foot72
  • Press Resistance86

Movement 77.2

  • Off-the-Ball Movement78
  • Runs in Behind74
  • Attacking Positioning68
  • Anticipation86
  • Recovery Runs80

Football IQ 87.0

  • Decision Making90
  • Spatial Awareness87
  • Game Management85
  • Tactical Creativity86

Defending Skill 86.5

  • Defensive Positioning88
  • Marking87
  • Interceptions87
  • Standing Tackle88
  • Sliding Tackle85
  • Offside Trap84

Physical 77.6

  • Strength74
  • Stamina85
  • Agility79
  • Balance86
  • Recovery84
  • Reactions80
  • Hold-up Play68
  • Aerial Duels70
  • Aggression72

Mental 85.7

  • Big-Game Temperament88
  • Leadership82
  • Selflessness84
  • Concentration88
  • Determination88
  • Tactical Discipline84

Career 92.2

  • Consistency92
  • Longevity96
  • Achievements86
  • Durability88
  • Loyalty99

Profile

Born
16 May 1925
Foot
Right
Career
1948–1964
Prime
1950-1962

Club career

  • 1948–1964 Botafogo

Honours

World Cup 2

1958 Brazil · 1962 Brazil

Continental title 1

1949 Copa América

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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