SAO PAULO: Gilmar, Brazil’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper in 1958 and 1962, is seriously ill in hospital in Sao Paulo.

Now 83, Gylmar dos Santos Neves was taken to the Hospital Sírio Libanês after a heart attack on Friday. He had suffered a severe stroke in 2000.

Gilmar, born in Santos, made his name with Corinthians of Sao Paulo between 1951 and 1961 when he was sold ‘home’ to the Santos team of World Cup-winning team-mates such as Pele, Zito and Mauro.

He won two World Club Cups, two Copa Libertadores and five Paulista championship titles. Gilmar played 94 times for Brazil between 1953 and 1969.

An iconic photograph of Gilmar with a tearful Pele was taken after Brazil’s 5-2 victory over hosts Sweden in the 1958 World Cup.

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