Mauro Ramos

Mauro Ramos de Oliveira (30 August 1930 – 18 September 2002), known as Mauro Ramos or simply Mauro, was a Brazilian professional association footballer. He played as a central defender for São Paulo FC, Santos FC and the Brazil national team.

Regarded as one of the best Brazilian centre backs of all time, he was praised throughout his career for his aerial ability and tackling.

Italian sports journalist Gianni Brera believed Mauro to be the best sweeper in the history of the game.

Born in Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Mauro began his career playing for amateur clubs in his hometown in the 1940s. Notably representing Caldense, he joined São Paulo FC in 1948 from Sanjoanense.

Signed as a replacement to club idol Armando Renganeschi, Mauro immediately became a starter and relegated Renganeschi to the bench. He represented the club in 489 matches, scoring two goals.

Ahead of the 1960 season, Mauro moved to Santos FC for a fee of five million cruzeiros. He was also a first-choice at his new club, being a part of the team who was widely known as Os Santásticos.

In 1967, Mauro moved abroad for the first time in his career and joined Mexican side Toluca. He retired with the club in the following year, aged 38, due to a groin injury.

Mauro received 28 caps with the Brazil national team. He was an unplaying member of the Brazil squad at the 1954 World Cup. He was also an unplaying member of the squad that won the 1958 World Cup. At the 1962 World Cup he finally made his World Cup debut and as team captain he lifted the World Cup Trophy after victory in the final over Czechoslovakia.