Djalma Santos
(Brazil)
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( 2 Votes )
Born: Wednesday 27 February 1929 , São Paulo, Brazil
Position: Right-back
Djalma Santos was not just one of Brazil's finest ever defenders but one of the greatest players ever to play at right-back and one of the first real attacking full-backs the game had seen. He appeared in four World Cups for his country, winning two titles, and set a national record for international appearances that lasted for thirty years. At domestic level, he had the relatively rare distinction of having made more than 400 league appearances for two different clubs.
Gerhard Hanappi
(Austria)
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( 2 Votes )
Born: Saturday 16 February 1929, Vienna, Austria
Died: Saturday 23 August 1980, Vienna, Austria (aged 51)
Position: Wing-half/Midfielder
Although nominally a wing-half, Austria's Gerhard Hanappi was one of the first players who could be considered a true 'box-to-box' midfielder. His versatility meant that he could comfortably play in almost any outfield position, combining solid defensive play with creative attacking ability. Spending most of his playing career with Rapid Vienna, Hanappi was also one of the stars of the Austrian team which finished third in the World Cup in 1954.
Vladimir Beara
(Yugoslavia)
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( 3 Votes )
Born: Friday 2 November 1928, Zelovo, Yugoslavia
Position: Goalkeeper
Croatian-born Vladimir Beara was one of the finest goalkeepers in the world through the 1950s and rated by his contemporaries as one of the best of all-time. He won a multitude of domestic honours during his club career with Hajduk Split and, after a very controversial transfer, with Red Star Belgrade. Beara was also a mainstay of the gifted Yugoslavian team of the 1950s, representing his country in two World Cups and reaching the Olympic final in 1952.

