Merica

Valdemiro Lima da Silva (13 September 1953 – 13 September 2025), better known as Merica, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Career A defensive midfielder, Merica began his career in the city of Alagoinhas, first as an amateur with Ferroviário and then as a professional with Atlético de Alagoinhas. In 1976 he was hired by Flamengo where he made 182 appearances. It was said that he played like two players, due to his application and intensity in defensive system. He later returned to the northeast, where he was state champion for Bahia, Sport Recife and Confiança.

Death Merica died in Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brazil on 13 September 2025, at the age of 72.

Honours Flamengo Torneio Quadrangular de Jundiaí: 1975 Taça Geraldo Cleofas Dias Alves: 1976 Taça Cidade de São Paulo: 1976 Taça Governador Elmo Cerejo: 1976 Taça Nelson Rodrigues: 1976 Taça Duque de Caxias: 1976 Troféu Antonio Valmir Campelo Bezerra: 1977

Bahia Campeonato Baiano: 1978

Sport Recife Campeonato Pernambucano: 1980, 1981, 1982

Confiança Campeonato Sergipano: 1986, 1988