The Santos Futebol Clube, one of the most iconic teams in Brazilian soccer, is known for its rich history and for revealing exceptional talents to the world of sport.
Since it was founded in 1912, the club has had the honor of having goalkeepers who have made an impression and who have contributed significantly to the team’s numerous titles and achievements.
That’s why we’ve put together a special article with the 20 best goalkeepers in Santos history!
The position of goalkeeper is one of the most crucial in a soccer team, requiring quick reflexes, technical skill and, above all, great leadership on the pitch.
Over the years, Santos has had some great names in its squad who have stood out both for their performance and their charisma.
The best goalkeepers in Santos’ history not only defended the goal with mastery, but also became idols of the fans, leaving an eternal legacy at the club.
Their memorable saves, titles won and stories of overcoming obstacles are inseparable parts of Santos’ great history.
In this list, we’ll present the 20 best goalkeepers in Santos’ history, highlighting their achievements, curiosities and highlights from their careers. Each of these players has a special place in the hearts of Santos fans and is a fundamental part of the club’s glorious history.
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The 20 best goalkeepers in Santos history: complete list
See which players will be mentioned in the list of the best goalkeepers in Santos history!
- Gylmar dos Santos Neves
- Fábio Costa
- Rodolfo Rodríguez
- Mango
- Cejas
- Rafael Cabral
- Edinho
- Laércio
- Cláudio
- John Paul
- Marolla
- Arzul
- Gilson Beirut
- Vanderlei
- Carlos Germano
- Mauro
- Laércio (1960s)
- Gilmar Rinaldi
- Agustín Rossi
- Wanderley
The 20 best goalkeepers in Santos history: find out more about them
Now it’s time to find out more about the best goalkeepers in Santos’ history!
1. Gylmar dos Santos Neves
- Titles:
- World Cup: 1958, 1962 (with the Brazilian national team)
- Copa Libertadores: 1962, 1963
- Club World Cup: 1962, 1963
- Paulista Championship: 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968
- Brazil Cup: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1959, 1963, 1964, 1966
- Fun facts:
- Considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in soccer history.
- He was known for his coolness and calmness during matches.
- Life story:
- Gylmar began his career at Jabaquara before moving to Corinthians and finally Santos.
- He played for the Brazilian national team in two World Cups, playing a key role in the 1958 and 1962 triumphs.
2. Fábio Costa
- Titles:
- Brazilian championship: 2002, 2004
- Fun facts:
- Known for his leadership and combative spirit on the pitch.
- He had an outstanding spell at Atlético Mineiro before returning to Santos.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Vitória and had spells at various Brazilian clubs.
- He was instrumental in Santos’ successful campaigns in the early 2000s.
3. Rodolfo Rodríguez
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1984
- Fun facts:
- Uruguayan goalkeeper who stood out for his agility and sharp reflexes.
- Famous for a string of spectacular saves in a single move against América-SP.
- Life story:
- Before joining Santos, he played for Nacional in Uruguay.
- After his time at Santos, he played for Sporting in Portugal.
4. Manga
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1955, 1956
- Fun facts:
- Known for his daring saves and charismatic personality.
- He played for several Brazilian and international clubs.
- Life story:
- Born in Recife, he began his career with Sport.
- He played for the Brazilian national team on several occasions, including the 1966 World Cup.
5. Cejas
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1973
- Fun facts:
- Argentinian goalkeeper, known for his excellent positioning skills.
- Considered one of the best foreign goalkeepers to play in Brazil.
- Life story:
- Began his career at Racing Club in Argentina.
- He was part of Santos’ historic squad in the 1970s.
6. Rafael Cabral
- Titles:
- Copa do Brasil: 2010
- Copa Libertadores: 2011
- Fun facts:
- Revealed in the Santos youth ranks.
- After his time at Santos, he moved to Napoli in Italy.
- Life story:
- Born in Sorocaba, São Paulo, he began his professional career at Santos.
- He played for the Brazilian national team at youth and senior level.
7. Edinho
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2006, 2007
- Fun facts:
- Son of the legendary Pelé.
- Known for his regularity and security in goal.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Santos and had spells at Portuguesa Santista and Ponte Preta.
- He ended his career at Santos, where he also worked as a goalkeeper coach.
8. Laercio
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1978
- Fun facts:
- Known for his calmness and leadership on the pitch.
- He had spells at other Brazilian clubs, but it was at Santos that he rose to prominence.
- Life story:
- Began his career at Guarani before moving to Santos.
- He was a starter for Santos when they won the 1978 Campeonato Paulista.
9. Claudio
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1997
- Fun facts:
- Known for his regularity and difficult saves.
- Played for several Brazilian clubs during his career.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Palmeiras before moving to Santos.
- After his time at Santos, he played for clubs such as Vitória and Guarani.
10. João Paulo
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2016
- Fun facts:
- Revealed in the Santos youth ranks.
- Known for his spectacular saves and agility.
- Life story:
- Born in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, he began his career at Santos.
- He stood out as one of Brazil’s leading goalkeepers of his generation.
11. Marolla
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1984
- Fun facts:
- Known for his acrobatic saves and outgoing personality.
- He played for several Brazilian clubs, but it was at Santos that he rose to prominence.
- Life story:
- He began his career at América-SP before moving to Santos.
- After his time at Santos, he played for clubs such as Atlético Mineiro and Portuguesa.
12. Arzul
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2006, 2007
- Fun facts:
- Known for his experience and leadership.
- After his playing career, he became a goalkeeper coach.
- Life story:
- Began his career at Internacional before moving to Santos.
- Contributed to the development of new talent at Santos as a goalkeeper coach.
13. Gilson Beirut
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1978
- Fun facts:
- Known for his agility and reflexes.
- Played for several Brazilian clubs during his career.
- Life story:
- Began his career at América-RJ before moving to Santos.
- He was a starter for Santos when they won the 1978 Campeonato Paulista.
14. Vanderlei
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2015, 2016
- Curiosities:
- Known for his difficult saves and regularity.
- He had outstanding spells at Coritiba and Grêmio.
- Life story:
- Born in Porecatu, Paraná, he began his career at Londrina.
- At Santos, he stood out as one of the leading goalkeepers in Brazilian soccer.
15. Carlos Germano
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2006
- Fun facts:
- Experienced goalkeeper, known for his leadership and security.
- He also played for Vasco da Gama and the Brazilian national team.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Vasco da Gama, where he was very prominent.
- After his time at Santos, he became a goalkeeping coach.
16. Mauro
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1997
- Fun facts:
- Known for his acrobatic saves and agility.
- He played for several Brazilian clubs, but it was at Santos that he rose to prominence.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Rio Branco before moving to Santos.
- After his time at Santos, he played for clubs such as Grêmio and Portuguesa.
17. Laércio (1960s)
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1965, 1967
- Fun facts:
- Goalkeeper of the 1960s, known for his calmness and security.
- He was part of Santos’ historic squad in the 1960s.
- Life story:
- He began his career at Guarani before moving to Santos.
- He was a starter for Santos when they won the Paulista Championship in 1965 and 1967.
18. Gilmar Rinaldi
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 1984
- Fun facts:
- Known for his security and leadership on the pitch.
- He also had outstanding spells with São Paulo and Flamengo.
- Life story:
- He began his career at São Paulo before moving to Santos.
- After his time at Santos, he played for clubs such as Flamengo and Cerezo Osaka in Japan.
19. Agustín Rossi
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2023
- Fun facts:
- Argentine goalkeeper, known for his excellent penalty-saving skills.
- He played for several Argentinian clubs before joining Santos.
- Life story:
- Began his career at Chacarita Juniors in Argentina.
- Moved to Santos in 2022, standing out as one of the best goalkeepers in Brazil.
20. Wanderley
- Titles:
- Campeonato Paulista: 2006, 2007
- Fun facts:
- Known for his spectacular saves and agility.
- Played for several Brazilian clubs during his career.
- Life story:
- Began his career at Internacional before moving to Santos.
- He was instrumental in Santos’ successful campaigns in the early 2000s.
The 20 best goalkeepers in Santos history: complete list
- Gylmar dos Santos Neves
- Fábio Costa
- Rodolfo Rodríguez
- Mango
- Cejas
- Rafael Cabral
- Edinho
- Laércio
- Cláudio
- John Paul
- Marolla
- Arzul
- Gilson Beirut
- Vanderlei
- Carlos Germano
- Mauro
- Laércio (1960s)
- Gilmar Rinaldi
- Agustín Rossi
- Wanderley
The 20 best goalkeepers in Santos history
Now that you know the 20 best goalkeepers in the history of Santos, take the opportunity to continue following the site to learn more about various other athletes!
- 20 best right-backs in Santos history
- 20 best left-backs in Santos history
- 20 best defenders in Santos history
- 20 best midfielders in Santos history
