Nílton Santos (16 May 1925 – 27 November 2013) was a Brazilian football player. He has played for Brazil national team. Considered as one of the greatest defenders of all time. Nilton Santos was one of the first cornerbacks in the history of football to be involved in the team's attacks. Due to this, the attackers had a numerical advantage on the flanks, after which either a cross into the center of the penalty area followed, or the ball rolled back a little back, on the oncoming partners. He himself said: "I always wanted to attack, but do it with caution." From the players of his time, Nilton was also distinguished by his "bipedalism", the ability to play equally well with both his left and right foot. According to Nestor Rossi, Santos "was born with a talent for scoring goals, but glorified the art of avoiding them".
Nilton had excellent dribbling skills. He could circle several opponents in a small area of the field. Sometimes Santos, unexpectedly for the opponent, threw the ball over his head, and then ran past the taken aback player of the opposing team and picked him up again. Nilton had a remarkable command of handling the ball: he could receive and process it regardless of how fast the ball flew towards him. Like any defender, Nilton was good at tackling, often being ahead of the curve. After the Brazilian took the ball, he could make an accurate and fast pass, which allowed the players of his team to start the attack. Thanks to this skill, he was nicknamed the "Encyclopedia of Football".
Also, Santos was noted for his great love for his club Botafogo: during his performances, he never negotiated contracts, always signing a clean check of the contract.
In March 2004, Santos was named by Pelé in FIFA 100 the list of 125 best living footballers.
Santos died from respiratory failure caused by a lung infection on 27 November 2013, aged 88, in Rio de Janeiro.