The Santos Futebol Clube, founded in 1912, is one of Brazil’s most traditional and successful soccer teams. Throughout its history, it has revealed and counted on some of the best players in the world, especially in midfield.
The midfielders, in particular, have played crucial roles in the team’s achievements and style of play, combining technique, race and tactical intelligence. With this in mind, we’ve put together a special list of the 20 best midfielders in the history of Santos.
Each of these players has made a unique contribution to the club’s legacy, be it with titles, memorable plays or leadership on and off the pitch. Check out the 20 best midfielders in Santos’ history!
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The 20 best midfielders in Santos history: complete list
Check out which players will be mentioned in the list of the 20 best midfielders in Santos history!
- Clodoaldo Tavares Santana
- José Ely de Miranda (Zito)
- Renato Dirnei Florêncio
- Marcos Arouca da Silva (Arouca)
- Paulo Almeida
- Leonardo Lourenço Bastos (Léo)
- Marcelo Fernandes
- Nilton Batata
- Rildo da Costa Menezes
- Sérgio Bernardino (Serginho Chulapa)
- Lima dos Santos
- Joel Camargo
- Marcos Assunção
- Cléber Santana
- Adilson
- Elano Blumer
- Giovanni Silva de Oliveira
- Francisco Arce
- Anderson Polga
- Danilo Luiz da Silva (Danilo)
20 best midfielders in Santos history: find out more about them
Now, find out more about the players who make up the ranking of the 20 best midfielders in Santos history!
1. Clodoaldo Tavares Santana
- Titles:
- World Cup (1970)
- Brazilian Championship (1968)
- Brazil Cup (1964, 1965)
- Paulista Championship (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Known for being one of the most elegant players of his generation, Clodoaldo scored one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history in the 1970 final.
- Life Story: Born in Itabaiana, Sergipe, Clodoaldo began his career in the Santos youth ranks and became one of the team’s mainstays during the Pelé era.
2. Zito (José Ely de Miranda)
- Titles:
- World Cup (1958, 1962)
- Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963)
- Brazilian Championship (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968)
- Brazil Cup (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965)
- Paulista Championship (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968)
- Team: Santos
- Trivia: Considered the “Manager” of Santos, Zito was known for his leadership on and off the pitch, and was one of those responsible for disciplining the young Pelé.
- Life Story: Born in Roseira, São Paulo, Zito joined Santos in 1952 and quickly became one of the club’s greatest leaders.
3. Renato Dirnei Florêncio
- Titles:
- Brazilian Championship (2002, 2004)
- Paulista Championship (2015, 2016)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Renato is remembered for his refined technique and vision of the game, as well as being one of the club’s great recent idols.
- Life Story: Born in Santa Mercedes, São Paulo, Renato began his career at Guarani before moving to Santos, where he enjoyed his best moments.
4. Arouca (Marcos Arouca da Silva)
- Titles:
- Copa Libertadores (2011)
- South American Cup Winners’ Cup (2012)
- Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011, 2012)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Arouca was one of the pillars of the Santos midfield during the Neymar era, known for his versatility and marking ability.
- Life Story: Born in Duas Barras, Rio de Janeiro, Arouca began his career at Fluminense and made a name for himself at Santos, where he enjoyed the best years of his career.
5. Paulo Almeida
- Titles:
- Brazilian championship (2002, 2004)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Known for his drive and leadership skills, Paulo Almeida captained Santos to the 2002 Brasileirão title.
- Life Story: Born in Itarantim, Bahia, Paulo Almeida began his career at Santos, where he quickly stood out as a born leader.
6. Léo (Leonardo Lourenço Bastos)
- Titles:
- Copa Libertadores (2011)
- South American Cup Winners’ Cup (2012)
- Brazilian Championship (2002, 2004)
- Paulista Championship (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Although he played as a left-back, Léo also played as a midfielder and is considered one of Santos’ greatest recent idols.
- Life Story: Born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Léo started out at Americano and made a name for himself at Santos, where he is revered by the fans.
7. Marcelo Fernandes
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (2015, as interim coach)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: After retiring as a player, Marcelo Fernandes had a brief but remarkable spell as interim coach of Santos, winning the Paulistão title in 2015.
- Life Story: Born in Santos, São Paulo, Marcelo started out at Santos himself and, after his playing career, continued his career in soccer as a coach and assistant.
8. Nilton Batata
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (1978)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Nilton Batata was one of Santos’ standout players at the end of the 1970s, being a skillful player with great vision.
- Life Story: Born in Bauru, São Paulo, Nilton started out at Santos and played for various Brazilian and foreign clubs.
9. Rildo da Costa Menezes
- Titles:
- Paulista Championship (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968)
- Brazil Cup (1964, 1965)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Rildo was known for his versatility, playing both as a midfielder and as a left-back, being a player of extreme skill.
- Life Story: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rildo started out at Botafogo and moved to Santos, where he enjoyed some great moments.
10. Serginho Chulapa (Sérgio Bernardino)
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (1984)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Serginho is best known for his career as a striker, but he also played as a midfielder on a few occasions and was one of Santos’ big names in the 80s.
- Life Story: Born in São Paulo, Serginho played for several clubs, including Santos, where he became an idol.
11. Lima (Lima dos Santos)
- Titles:
- Libertadores de América (1962, 1963)
- Brazil Cup (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965)
- Paulista Championship (1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Lima was a versatile player, playing in both midfield and defense, and was a key player in the achievements of the Pelé era.
- Life Story: Born in São Sebastião do Paraíso, Minas Gerais, Lima started out at Juventus-SP and made his name at Santos.
12. Joel Camargo
- Titles:
- Brazil Cup (1964, 1965)
- Paulista Championship (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Known as “Aço” (Steel), Joel was a defensive midfielder with strong marking skills and great physical endurance.
- Life Story: Born in Santos, São Paulo, Joel started out at Santos and had a career marked by defensive solidity.
13. Marcos Assunção
- Titles:
- Brazilian Championship (2002)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Assunção was famous for his free-kick skills, being one of the best free-kick takers in Brazil.
- Life Story: Born in Caieiras, São Paulo, Assunção started out at Rio Branco-SP and made a name for himself at Santos, as well as having spells in Europe.
14. Cléber Santana
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (2007)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Cléber Santana was known for his technical skill and ability to score long-range goals.
- Life Story: Born in Abreu e Lima, Pernambuco, Cléber had a remarkable spell with Santos before moving on to other clubs.
15. Adilson
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (1996)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Adilson was a tough-tackling midfielder, known for his commitment and dedication on the pitch.
- Life Story: Born in São Paulo, Adilson started out at Santos and stood out for his defensive consistency.
16. Elano Blumer
- Titles:
- Copa Libertadores (2011)
- South American Cup Winners’ Cup (2012)
- Campeonato Paulista (2006, 2007, 2011, 2012)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Elano was known for his versatility, being able to play both as a midfielder and further forward, and was one of Santos’ recent idols.
- Life Story: Born in Iracemápolis, São Paulo, Elano started out at Guarani and made a name for himself at Santos, as well as having a successful international career.
17. Giovanni Silva de Oliveira
- Titles:
- Brazilian Championship (2002)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Giovanni is best remembered as a midfielder, but he also played as a midfielder and was one of Santos’ great idols in the 90s.
- Life Story: Born in Abaetetuba, Pará, Giovanni played for several clubs, including Santos, where he is revered by the fans.
18. Francisco Arce
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista (2000)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Arce was known for his skill in set pieces and his defensive consistency.
- Life Story: Born in Paragominas, Pará, Arce started out at Santos himself and stood out for his technical ability.
19. Anderson Polga
- Titles:
- Brazilian Championship (2002)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Polga is best remembered for his career as a defender, but he also played as a midfielder on occasions, and was a player of great technical quality.
- Life Story: Born in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Polga started out at Grêmio and made a name for himself at Santos, as well as playing in Europe.
20. Danilo (Danilo Luiz da Silva)
- Titles:
- Copa Libertadores (2011)
- South American Cup Winners’ Cup (2012)
- Paulista Championship (2011, 2012)
- Team: Santos
- Fun facts: Danilo was a modern midfielder with the ability to support the attack and score decisive goals, being one of Santos’ pillars in the Neymar era.
- Life Story: Born in Bicas, Minas Gerais, Danilo started out at América-MG and made a name for himself at Santos, before moving on to Europe.
The 20 best midfielders in Santos history: complete list
- Clodoaldo Tavares Santana
- José Ely de Miranda (Zito)
- Renato Dirnei Florêncio
- Marcos Arouca da Silva (Arouca)
- Paulo Almeida
- Leonardo Lourenço Bastos (Léo)
- Marcelo Fernandes
- Nilton Batata
- Rildo da Costa Menezes
- Sérgio Bernardino (Serginho Chulapa)
- Lima dos Santos
- Joel Camargo
- Marcos Assunção
- Cléber Santana
- Adilson
- Elano Blumer
- Giovanni Silva de Oliveira
- Francisco Arce
- Anderson Polga
- Danilo Luiz da Silva (Danilo)
The 20 best midfielders in Santos history
This is the complete list of the 20 best midfielders in Santos history. If you liked the content, take the opportunity to check out more information about the team by browsing the site!
