Gilmar with the Brazilian National Team

Gilmar dos Santos Neves (b. August 22, 1930 in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil) is considered the best goalkeeper in Brazilian soccer history, and one of the best of the world in his position (along with Lev Yashin from the Soviet Union).

Gilmar started his career playing for club Jabaquara from Santos, but transferred to Corinthians in 1951. With this club he was State Champion in 1951, 1952 and 1954.

Towards the end of that decade, he signed to play for Santos, where he was part of one of the best soccer teams in the history of the sport. In Santos he played along with sport legends like Pelé, Pepe, Zito, Mengálvio, Lima, Coutinho, among others. With Gilmar beneath the posts, Santos conquered almost every championship they were in: 5 São Paulo State Championships (1962, 64, 65, 67, 68), 4 National Championships (1962, 63, 64, 65), 2 Libertadores Cups (1962 and 1963) and 2 Intercontinental Cups (1962 against Eusébio's Benfica and 1963 against Milan).

With the Brazilian National Team, Gilmar played more than a hundred times (103, between official and non-official matches), and was selected to be part of his country team in 4 straight World Cups (between 1954 and 1966). He was part of the starting team in the first two times Brazil had the honor of being World Champions, in 1958 and 1962.

Even after he stopped playing, Gilmar was prone for his sober style and his peaceful personality.