Full name Rildo da Costa Menezes Years Team Position Defender 1959 Ibis Height 1.73 m | Playing position Role Footballer Place of birth Recife, Brazil Name Rildo Costa | |
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Date of birth (1942-01-23) January 23, 1942 (age 73) | ||
Rildo da Costa Menezes (born in Recife, January 23, 1942), also known as Rildo, is a former association footballer, one of the all-time best defender lateral for Santos F.C. with Dalmo and Geraldino.
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Professional
Rildo was the last of Santos Golden Era players, which included Pelé, Pepe, Coutinho, Clodoaldo and many others. His career began in 1959 when he signed a youth contract with Botafogo. In 1961 he began his senior career with Botafogo. Two times winner in 1961 and 1962, and Brazilian Championship in 1963. In 1967, he transferred to Santos FC. Three time winner of Săo Paulo State Championship Captained the Team that won (1967, 1968, 1969) . Won the World Club Championship with Santos in 1969 with Santos F.C.In 1977, he joined Pelé with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League . At New York Cosmos won the 1977 and 1978 Soccer Bowl Championship. From 1963 to 1970, he joined the Brazilian National Team, playing in 1966 in England and scored for Brazil against Portugal and played until 1970 classifying the team for the 1970 World Cup. In 1979, he played for the Southern California Lazers of the American Soccer League. He was selected as All League that season. In 1979, he played for the California Sunshine. On April 16, 1980, he signed with the Cleveland Cobras of the American Soccer League. After that, was head coach in California in several clubs and from 2014 until now, he is General Manager at Zamalek SC Academy, in Cairo, Egypt
National team
Rildo earned 49 caps, scoring one goal, with the Brazilian national team from 1963 to 1969. He was a member of the Brazilian team at the 1966 FIFA World Cup where he scored his lone national team goal in a 3–1 loss to Portugal.
Coach
In 1990, Rildo coached the California Emperors. In 1993, he coached the Los Angeles Salsa of the American Professional Soccer League. In October 1993, he resigned after the team lost the championship game. In 1995, he coached the San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles of the USISL.
Rildo is currently an assistant coach with the Marlborough High School soccer team where he oversees the junior varsity. Last season he assisted professional British Head Coach Gareth Pashley to their most successful season in the High School's history.