February 4 – Brazil and Santos legend Antonio Lima passed away on Monday at the age of 83 after a month-long hospitalisation.
Santos have declared a period of mourning following the passing of Lima who had been suffering with kidney and heart problems. Lima featured for Santos between 1961 and 1971 and won both the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup twice.
Born in São Sebastião do Paraíso, in the state of Minas Gerais, Lima took his first steps at amateur clubs in São Paulo. He debuted for Santos in 1961 and became a mainstay at the Vila Belmiro.
He featured in 692 matches and scored 63 goals. Only Pelé, Zito and Pepe represented the club in more games. After Santos, he also played for Jalisco Guadalajara in Mexico, Fluminense and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Nicknamed ‘Curinga’, Lima was a utility man and was a part of Santos’s golden era.
A globetrotting phenomenon, Santos were arguably the best club in the world in the 60s, a remarkable feat for an outfit of a small port town. They boasted Gilmar, Zito, Mengalvio, Pepé, Coutinho and Pelé. Later, Lima became Pelé’s brother-in-law.
Lima played for Brazil at the 1966 World Cup in England, but the South Americans exited the tournament in the group stages following defeats to both Hungary and Portugal.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1738680565labto1738680565ofdlr1738680565owedi1738680565sni@i1738680565tnuk.1738680565ardni1738680565mas1738680565