Deleu (footballer, born 1940)

Wanderlei dos Santos (born 9 March 1940), better known as Deleu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right back.[1][2]

Deleu
Personal information
Full name Wanderlei dos Santos
Date of birth (1940-03-09) 9 March 1940 (age 84)
Place of birth Bebedouro, Brazil
Position(s) Right back
Youth career
Inter de Bebedouro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1961–1965 São Paulo 169 (0)
1965–1967 Guarani
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 September 2023

Career

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Revealed at Internacional de Bebedouro, he arrived at São Paulo FC along with another athlete on the team, the forward Sabino. He was an excellent on tackle, being considered the terror of left wingers.[3] Deleu ended his career at Guarani FC in 1967.[4]

Personal life

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Deleu's nickname was originally Delei (from Wanderlei), but due to a newspaper error it ended up being Deleu. As the player got angry with the confusion, Deleu ended up scoring among the other athletes. He was a staunch anti-smoking activist, at a time when most football players smoked frequently. Years after retiring, he became a bailiff in Paraná.[5]

Honours

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São Paulo

References

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  1. ^ "Todos os Jogadores" (PDF). SPFCpédia (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Que fim levou? Deleu". Terceiro Tempo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Deleu… na sombra de De Sordi". Tardes de Pacaembu (in Portuguese). 1 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  4. ^ "DELEU: brilhou no São Paulo F.C. nos anos 60". Memória do Esporte (in Portuguese). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Deleu, lateral-direito bugrino no biênio 1965-66". Futebol Interior (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
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