Name Valdo Filho 1984–1988 Gremio Weight 66 kg | 1983 Figueirense Height 1.73 m Years Team Role Footballer | |
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Full name Valdo Candido Oliveira Filho Date of birth (1964-01-12) 12 January 1964 (age 51) | ||
Place of birth Sideropolis, Brazil | ||
Valdo Cândido de Oliveira Filho (born 12 January 1964), known simply as Valdo, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a central midfielder, and a current manager.
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In a senior career which spanned more than two decades, he played professionally – other than in his own country – in Portugal, France and Japan.
Having appeared more than 40 times for Brazil, Valdo represented the nation in two World Cups and as many Copa América tournaments.
Club career
Born in Siderópolis, Santa Catarina, Valdo began playing football with Figueirense Futebol Clube, making his professional debuts with Grêmio Football Porto-Alegrense, with which he won four consecutive Rio Grande do Sul Leagues.
In the summer of 1988, he signed with S.L. Benfica of Portugal alongside compatriot Ricardo Gomes, a central defender. Both were important elements in their debut season as the team won the Primeira Liga championship, a feat which was again accomplished in 1991, with the midfielder netting five goals in 26 matches.
Both Valdo and Gomes left for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the 1991 summer, and both would return four years later to the Lisbon side, having won a total of four titles, including the 1993–94 edition of the Ligue 1. In his second Benfica spell, he played in 30 league matches in each of his two seasons, winning the Taça de Portugal in 1996.
Aged 32, Valdo joined J1 League club Nagoya Grampus Eight, and returned to his country after two slow years. He would continue to play until the age of 40, representing six teams in quick succession (he ended his career after having helped Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas achieve its return to the Série A).
Valdo began working as a manager in 2009, in Brazilian amateur football. Five years later, he rejoined his former Benfica boss Artur Jorge at MC Alger from Algeria.
International career
Valdo earned 45 caps for the Brazil national team, during six years. Before having made his first appearance he was called to the 1986 FIFA World Cup squad, but did not play one single second.
In the 1990 edition in Italy, Valdo was already a starter, and took part in the country's four matches in the tournament, including the round-of-16 0–1 loss against Argentina.
Personal life
Upon retiring from football, Valdo settled in Portugal with his Portuguese wife. The couple had one daughter, Tatiele, who died in a car accident at only 13.