Photo: Ricardo Alfieri, Jr. / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Dondinho is one of football's quiet legends, and his story moves me more than many star careers. A tall centre forward nicknamed Maleavel for his heading prowess, he played for clubs like Atletico Mineiro, yet his lasting fame comes from a different role: father, mentor, and trainer to Pele. I find something profound in a man whose own playing dream was cut short pouring that ambition into shaping the greatest player ever. The deepest greatness often hides behind another's spotlight. To me, Dondinho deserves real reverence as the unseen architect at the root of football's most famous story.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Dondinho
- Name (Japanese)
- ドンジーニョ
- Reading
- どんじーにょ
- Born
- October 2, 1917 – November 16, 1996
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Snake
- Origin
- Campos Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 183 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- association football player
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dondinho
Frequently asked questions
When was Dondinho born?
October 2, 1917 – November 16, 1996.
Where is Dondinho from?
Dondinho is from Campos Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
What does Dondinho do?
Dondinho works as association football player.
How tall is Dondinho?
Dondinho is 183 cm.
Association football player — see all → · More people from Brazil →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.