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 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.
References
- "Pelé". Expert Football. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- "João Ramos do Nascimento "DONDINHO"" (in Portuguese). O Canto do Galo. 6 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2008.