Overview

Wálter Guimarães (17 May 1913 – 21 February 1979) was a Brazilian footballer who reached the level of international play with the Brazil national team. Records identify him primarily by his national representation rather than extensive club statistics, and contemporary sources note him among the generation of players active in the mid-20th century. For basic reference material and archival listings see player profile.

Historical context

Guimarães’s career unfolded during a formative period for Brazilian football. Between the 1920s and 1940s the sport in Brazil transitioned toward professional structures, regional leagues grew in importance, and the national side began to assert itself in South American contests and early World Cups. Players of this era helped shape the national style that combined individual skill with evolving team tactics.

Characteristics of players in his era

Footballers from Guimarães’s generation typically trained and competed under conditions that differ markedly from the modern game: long travel by rail or ship for international fixtures, smaller squads, and tactical formations now considered archaic. Emphasis was often placed on close control, dribbling, and adaptability. While specific details about Guimarães’s position or style are scarce in surviving records, he belonged to this broader cohort of early professional Brazilian players.

National team significance

Having played for Brazil conferred significant prestige and reflected recognition at the highest national level. Selection was competitive and often depended on performances in regional championships and friendlies. Historical overviews of Brazil’s squads and match lists can provide context for players like Guimarães; consult summaries of the national side for the period to understand the matches and tournaments in which he might have been involved: Brazil national team history.

Legacy and research

Documentation of many early 20th-century footballers is incomplete. For researchers and fans seeking fuller accounts, club archives, contemporary newspapers, and national federation records are the most reliable sources. Works that compile player rosters and match reports may help reconstruct the careers of lesser-documented internationals such as Wálter Guimarães.

  • Primary biographical facts: birth 17 May 1913, death 21 February 1979.
  • International recognition: listed as a Brazil national team player; see archival index.
  • Contextual reading: histories of Brazilian football and national team archives, including summaries at national team summaries.