Dondinho

Dondinho

Dondinho playing for Atletico Mineiro
Personal information
Full name	João Ramos do Nascimento
Date of birth	2 October 1917
Place of birth	Campos Gerais, Brazil
Date of death	16 November 1996 (aged 79)
Place of death	São Paulo, Brazil
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Striker
Youth career
1933–1935	Atlético Mineiro
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Atlético Clube Três Corações
1940	Atlético Mineiro
	EC São Lourenço-MG
	Vasco de São Lourenço-MG
1946–1952	Bauru
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

João Ramos do Nascimento (2 October 1917 – 16 November 1996) was a Brazilian football attacking centre forward player nicknamed Dondinho, and was the father, mentor and trainer of and Brazil legend Pelé. During his own playing career, Dondinho played for a number of small clubs including and had an opportunity to play for Atlético Mineiro, but did not make an impression. He managed to become a prolific scorer for Bauru, with whom he won the Campeonato do Interior in 1946.

He had to retire due to ligament damage, then took the job of hospital cleaner where Pelé gave as much help as he could. While they were working in the ward, Dondinho would reminisce about the famous players he had faced, and talk about his own older brother, who had shown extraordinary promise as a footballer but died at 25. Dondinho died on 16 November 1996 in São Paulo.