Dondinho

João Ramo do Nascimento (2 October 1917 – 16 November 1996) was a Brazilian football centre forward player nicknamed Dondinho, and was the father, mentor and trainer of Brazilian legend Pelé.[1] During his own playing career, Dondinho played for a number of small clubs and had an opportunity to play for Atlético Mineiro,[2] but he was brutally injured in his first game. He managed to become a prolific scorer for Bauru, with whom he won the Campeonato do Interior in 1946.

Dondinho

Dondinho playing for Atletico Mineiro
Personal information
Full name	João Ramos do Nascimento
Date of birth	2 October 1917
Place of birth	Campos Gerais, Brazil
Date of death	16 November 1996 (aged 79)
Place of death	São Paulo, Brazil
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position(s)	Striker
Youth career
1933–1935	Atlético Mineiro
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1935–1940	Atlético Clube Três Corações	104	(108)
1940	Atlético Mineiro	6	(5)
1940–1944	EC São Lourenço-MG	168	(201)
1942–1946	Vasco de São Lourenço-MG	105	(200)
1946–1952	Bauru	201	(248)
Total		775	(893)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He had to retire due to injury, becoming a hospital ceaner where Pelé gave as much help as he could. While they were working in the ward, Dondinho would reminisce abut the famous players he had faced, and even talked about his own older brother, who had shown extraordinary promise as a footaller but died at 25. He once also scored goals through headers in a single match.