Didi (footballer, born 1928)
Didi made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 1952. Two years later he made his appearance at the World Cup in Switzerland. There, Brazil was sent home to Hungary in the quarter-finals after a match that would go down in history as the Battle of Bern. It was one of the most unsportsmanlike matches in World Cup history. Didi was left out for the Copa América 1956 along with Garrincha, Zózimo, Zizinho, Nílton Santos, Julinho, Castilho, Bauer and Pepé. He played during the Copa América in 1957 where Brazil finished second. In 1958 Didi had become one of the key figures of the Brazilian national team that traveled to the World Cup in Sweden with a revolutionary 4-2-4 formation. At the time, it was Didi who gave confidence to 17-year-old Pelé. The team eventually took home the title. After Brazil fell 1-0 behind Sweden in the final, Didi turned things around and went on to win 5-2. Didi was subsequently voted the best player of the World Cup.