Aldair

Aldair

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Personal information
Full name	Aldair Nascimento dos Santos
Date of birth	(1965-11-30) November 30, 1965
Place of birth	Ilhéus, Brazil
Height
Position(s)	Centre back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1989	Flamengo	54	(3)
1989–1990	Benfica	22	(5)
1990–2003	Roma	330	(14)
2003–2004	Genoa	17	(1)
2007–2010	Murata	10	(0)
Total		433	(23)
International career
1989–2000	Brazil	80	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Aldair Nascimento dos Santos, known simply as Aldair (Brazilian Portuguese: [awdaˈiʁ]; born 30 November 1965), is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a defender, and who was part of the Brazil national team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

He spent most of his club career at Italian club A.S. Roma, where he later also served as captain, winning the Serie A title with the club in 2001. He is one of eleven members to have been inducted into the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame.

Club career

Aldair started playing at Flamengo where he won the most important title in Brazil, the Campeonato Brasileiro. He moved to Europe in 1989, playing with Benfica, and subsequently A.S. Roma in 1990. He remained with Roma until 2003, playing nearly 400 Serie A matches with the club and later serving as captain; during his time in Rome, he won the Coppa Italia in 1991, also reaching the UEFA Cup Final that season, and in 2001, he won a Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana. Roma retired his number 6 jersey number when he left the team in 2003; this retirement was not permanent, however, as the shirt number has also been worn by Kevin Strootman, who joined the squad in 2013.

After Roma, Aldair then briefly joined Genoa CFC. On July 2005, Aldair announced plans of playing for Rio Branco Atlético Clube, and play two games, in the estadual championship. Rio Branco was champion in this championship.

Former teammate and good friend Massimo Agostini convinced him to play in San Marino for S.S. Murata in order to boost their Champions League campaign. After S.S. Murata's dreadful 7–1 aggregate defeat to Cypriots APOEL F.C. in the first round of qualifying for the 2006/07 UEFA Cup, Massimo 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.

In 2013, Aldair was inducted into the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame.

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. 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.

Style of play

An elegant and tactically versatile defender, Aldair was capable of playing both as a sweeper, and as a centre back, due to his vision, technical ability, and his passing range. His confidence on the ball and, in particular, his adeptness at long balls enabled him advance into midfield and create chances for team-mates. Although he was not particularly quick, he was a strong defender, who excelled in the air, and 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 for being a correct player throughout his career.

Career statistics

Club career

Club performance			League
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals
Brazil			League
1985	Flamengo	Série A	-	-
1986			23	1
1987			7	0
1988			24	2
1989			-	-
Portugal			League
1989–90	Benfica	Portuguese Liga	22	5
Italy			League
1990–91	Roma	Serie A	29	2
1991–92			33	3
1992–93			28	2
1993–94			12	0
1994–95			28	1
1995–96			31	0
1996–97			32	2
1997–98			28	3
1998–99			27	0
1999–00			34	1
2000–01			15	0
2001–02			16	0
2002–03			17	0
2003–04	Genoa	Serie B	17	1
San Marino			League
2007–08	Murata	Campionato Sammarinese	10	0
2008–09			-	-
2009–10			-	-
Country	Brazil		54	3
	Portugal		22	5
	Italy		347	15
	San Marino		10	0
Total			433	23

International

Brazil national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1989	15	0
1990	3	1
1991	-	-
1992	-	-
1993	-	-
1994	11	0
1995	13	1
1996	1	0
1997	19	1
1998	9	0
1999	3	0
2000	6	0
Total	80	3

Honours

Club

Flamengo

• Campeonato Carioca: 1986
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1987

Benfica

• Portuguese Supercup: 1989

Roma

• Coppa Italia: 1990–91
• Serie A: 2000–01
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2001

Murata

• Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio: 2007–08

International

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1994; Runner-up 1998
• Copa América: 1989, 1997; Runner-up 1995
• Summer Olympic Games: Bronze medal 1996
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997

Individual

• FIFA XI: 2000
• Golden Foot: 2008, as football legend
• A.S. Roma Hall of Fame: 2013

External links

• Aldair at National-Football-Teams.com
• Aldair – FIFA competition record

Preceded by Abel Balbo

AS Roma Captain 1998

Succeeded by Francesco Totti