Alfredo "Brilhante" da Costa

Career and records

Brilhante's active years fell in the early decades of organized football in Brazil, a period when the sport was transitioning from amateur local competition toward broader state and national contests. While detailed match-by-match statistics and complete club lists for many players of this era are often incomplete or lost, surviving records confirm his involvement at the national level. His public profile rests primarily on those national-team appearances and references in historical rosters.

Historical context

Football in Brazil during Brilhante's time was dominated by state leagues, regional rivalries and the gradual formation of a national identity in the sport. Players typically competed for local clubs and were selected for national duty on a more ad hoc basis than modern professional systems allow. Nicknames like "Brilhante" (Portuguese for "brilliant") were common and helped distinguish players in press reports and match programmes.

Legacy and significance

Though not as widely documented as later stars, Brilhante is part of the generation that established Brazil's international presence. His inclusion in national-team lists contributes to the continuity of Brazil's football history and helps researchers trace the development of selection practices, styles of play and the sport's social reach in 20th-century Brazil.

Key facts

• Full name: Alfredo Brilhante da Costa
• Common name: Brilhante
• Born: 5 November 1904
• Died: 8 June 1980
• Role: Brazilian footballer who represented the national team

For concise contemporary references and basic career listings see a player profile and national-team summaries at Brazil national team records. Further archival research in period newspapers and state federation records can reveal more about his club affiliations and match appearances.