Waldemar de Brito

Waldemar de Brito was one of the great Brazilian strikers of the 1930s and a decisive figure in football history for a reason beyond the pitch: he was the one who discovered Pelé. Revealed by Syrio de São Paulo, he shone at São Paulo and represented the Brazilian National Team at the 1934 World Cup in Italy, where he scored the first missed penalty in World Cup history, saved by Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora. He also played in Argentina for San Lorenzo, something rare for Brazilians at the time. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and scout. In Bauru, he coached young Edson Arantes do Nascimento at Bauru Atlético Clube and, in 1956, personally brought him to Santos with the famous prophecy that this boy would be the greatest player in the world. History proved him right.