He became the first Brazilian player to win multiple European Cups and Intercontinental Cups with a European team.
Jair da Costa was a Brazilian footballer who played from 1940 to 2025.
He played a total of 260 senior games for Inter Milan, winning four Serie A titles and two European Cups.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jair da Costa, known simply as Jair, was a Brazilian footballer born in 1940. He began his football journey with Portuguesa, where he made his senior debut against XV Novembro de Jaú. During his time at Portuguesa, he helped the team secure the runners-up position in the 1960 Campeonato Paulista, showcasing his potential as a forward.
Rise to Prominence
In November 1962, Jair made a significant move to Italy, joining Inter Milan. Over two spells with the club (1962–1967 and 1968–1972), he became a key player in Helenio Herrera's renowned Grande Inter squad. Jair's contributions helped the team secure four Serie A titles and two European Cups in 1964 and 1965, making him the first Brazilian to win multiple European Cups and Intercontinental Cups with a European team. He also had a brief stint with AS Roma during the 1967–68 season before returning to Brazil to play for Santos from 1972 to 1974, where he won the Campeonato Paulista in 1973.
International Career
On the international stage, Jair represented Brazil, earning one cap due to the fierce competition for his position, notably from Garrincha. His only appearance came in a friendly match against Wales in May 1962. Despite limited playtime, he was part of the Brazilian squad that triumphed in the 1962 FIFA World Cup, although he did not feature in the matches.
Legacy
Jair da Costa is remembered not only for his speed and agility on the field but also for his technical skills and striking ability. His career is marked by significant achievements, including multiple championships with Inter Milan and a World Cup victory with Brazil, solidifying his place in football history.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
An extremely fast and agile winger, with quick feet and technicality, Jair da Costa was also known for his striking ability and his great pace on the ball; due to these abilities, he was also capable of functioning as a striker. He was also known for his dribbling skills and use of elaborate feints.
At international level, Jair da Costa obtained but one cap for the Brazil national team, due to the presence of Garrincha in his position; his only appearance came in a 3–1 friendly win over Wales in São Paulo, on 16 May 1962. He was also a non-playing member of the Brazilian team that won the 1962 FIFA World Cup.
Jair da Costa started his club career with Portuguesa as a youth, making his senior debut against XV Novembro de Jaú. Whilst with Portuguesa he helped them to the runners-up spot in the 1960 Campeonato Paulista. Jair da Costa moved to the Italian side Inter Milan in November 1962, and went on to play a total of 260 senior games for the Milan club in two spells (1962–1967 and 1968–1972). He was notably a key member of Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter squad on the right wing, and won four Serie A titles (two of which were won consecutively), and two European Cups in 1964 and 1965, as well as consecutive Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965, during his time at the club. He became not only the first Brazilian player to win multiple European Cups, but also the first Brazilian player to win multiple Intercontinental Cups with a European team. In between his two spells with Inter, Jair da Costa also spent the 1967–68 season with Roma. Following his time in Italy, he later returned to Brazil in 1972 and played for Santos until 1974, winning the Campeonato Paulista in 1973. He ended his career in Canada's National Soccer League in 1975, with Windsor Star.
- Club
- AS Roma (1967–1968)
- Club
- Associação Portuguesa de Desportos (1960–1962)
- Club
- Santos F.C. (1972–1974)
- Club
- Inter Milan (1962–1967)
- Club
- Inter Milan (1968–1972)
- Club
- Brazil men's national football team (1962–1962)
- National team
- Brazil
Legacy
Inter Milan
Serie A: 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1970–71 European Cup: 1963–64, 1964–65 Intercontinental Cup: 1964, 1965 Santos
Campeonato Paulista: 1973 Brazil
FIFA World Cup: 1962
Clubs
Played together with
Abel BalboAS Roma · 1993–1998- Abel BalboAS Roma · 2000–2002
Abel BragaBrazil men's national football team · 1978–1978- Abel VerônicoSantos F.C.
- Abel XavierAS Roma · 2004–2005
- Abel XavierAS Roma · 2005–2005
- Abram RaselemaneSantos F.C. · 1999–2001
- Achille FraschiniInter Milan · 1955–1956
- Achille Gama MalcherInter Milan · 1909–1914
Achraf HakimiInter Milan · 2020–2021- Acleisson ScaionAssociação Portuguesa de Desportos · 2009–2010
Aco StojkovInter Milan · 2001–2005
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Jair da Costa, known simply as Jair, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger. Apart from playing in Brazil, he played professionally in clubs in Italy, where his teams won the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup several times, as well as in Canada. Internationally, he briefly played for the Brazil national team. He was a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1962 FIFA World Cup, but he did not play in the World Cup.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…