Dino Sani (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈdʒĩnu ˈsɐ̃ni]; Italian: [ˈdiːno ˈsaːni]; born 23 May 1932) is a Brazilian former footballer and coach. Sani was an experienced playmaking central midfielder with goalscoring prowess, and a "team player", who was well known for his ball skills, technique, accurate passing, creativity, and close control. Although he was not gifted with notable pace or athleticism, his positioning, keen tactical intelligence, outstanding vision, and his adeptness at long balls, in particular, made him a capable assist provider throughout his career.[1][2]

Dino Sani
Dino Sani in 2008
Personal information
Date of birth (1932-05-23) 23 May 1932 (age 91)
Place of birth São Paulo, Brazil
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1951 Palmeiras
1951 XV de Jaú
1952–1953 Comercial-SP
1954–1960 São Paulo
1961 Boca Juniors 14 (4)
1961–1964 Milan 63 (14)
1965–1968 Corinthians
International career
1957–1966 Brazil 15 (1)
Managerial career
1969–1970 Corinthians
1971–1974 Internacional
1974 Goiás
1975 Corinthians
1975 Palmeiras
1976 Coritiba
1977–1980 Peñarol
1981 Flamengo
1982 Fluminense
1982 Ponte Preta
1983–1984 Internacional
1984 Boca Juniors
1985 Coritiba
1989–1990 Qatar
1991–1992 Grêmio
Medal record
Men's Football
Representing  Brazil
FIFA World Cup
Winner 1958 Sweden
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

The son of Italian immigrants, Gaetano Sani and Maria Gabrielli, Sani started his career at local club Palmeiras, XV de Jaú, Comercial-SP and São Paulo FC,[3] and played in the Argentine First Division for Boca Juniors[4] in 1961, where he played 13 games, scoring 4 goals. He then played in Italy for Serie A club A.C. Milan,[5] with whom he won one scudetto in the 1961–62 season, followed by the 1962–63 European Cup.[2][6]

As a member of the Brazil national team, Dino Sani participated at the South American Championship tournaments of 1957 in Peru and 1959 in Argentina, reaching the final on both occasions; he was also part of the squad that won the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. He made 15 appearances in total for Brazil between 1957 and 1966, scoring 1 goal.[7]

After he left Milan in 1964, he returned to South America, and played for Corinthians before becoming a coach. He managed Internacional,[8] Goiás, Palmeiras, Coritiba, Peñarol,[9] Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, Qatar and Grêmio.

Honours edit

Player edit

Club edit

Palmeiras
São paulo
Milan[2]
Corinthans

International edit

Brazil

Individual edit

  • A.C. Milan Hall of Fame[2]
  • São Paulo FC Hall of Fame

Manager edit

Internacional
Peñarol

References edit

  1. ^ "Dino Sani | 1962-1963 | 1958-60". Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Dino Sani". acmilan.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Dino Sani – Sambafoot.com, all About Brazilian Football". En.sambafoot.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Memória E. C. "Boca Juniors: uma relação antiga com jogadores brasileiros" Arquivo". Colunas.globoesporte.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Unknown". Retrieved 13 March 2010.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Dino Sani". magliarossonera.it (in Italian). Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. ^ "FIFA Player Statistics: DINO SANI". FIFA.com. 23 May 1932. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Dino Sani" (in Portuguese). Globi. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  9. ^ "Tecnicos". Girasolweb.tripod.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

External links edit

World Cup-winners status
Preceded by
Mário Zagallo
Oldest Living Player
5 January 2024 – present
Incumbent