RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) The Brazilian football federation says two-time World Cup winner Nilton Santos died from a lung infection in a Rio hospital on Wednesday. He was 88.
Regarded as one of the most talented left-backs in the history of football, Santos won the 1958 and 1962 World Cup with Brazil.
Santos was seen as a pioneer in his position, as one of the first defenders to take part in the offensive game. He scored a goal during the 1958 World Cup in a 3-0 win over Austria.
Born in Rio in 1925, Santos spent his whole career with Botafogo.
