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 centre-back 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.

Club career 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.

Death Mauro died on 18 September 2002, due to an intestinal cancer. , 1949 , 1950 , 1951 , 1952 Campeonato Paulista Player of the Tournament: 1952 Torneio Rio-São Paulo Team of the Tournament: 1952 , 1953