Ademir da Guia

In the 16 years Ademir da Guia spent playing for Palmeiras, he holds the record for the most appearances for the club and is the third best goalscorer ever, and won, amongst other titles, both the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A five times. Unlike many distinguished football players in his country, Ademir did not have a prolonged and constant participation with the Brazil national team; playing in nine matches for Brazil in the total, the first six in 1965 and the other three in 1974, including at the 1974 FIFA World Cup when he got the chance to play in the match for third place against Poland (in which Brazil was defeated by 1–0). His lack of playing time was the result of being contemporary of such players as Pelé, Rivellino, Gérson, Tostão, Dirceu Lopes and Paulo César. Da Guia played his farewell match on 18 September 1977 at Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo in a Campeonato Paulista match between his club Palmeiras and Corinthians, which the latter won 2–0.

He was elected in 2004 for the legislative period of 2005–2008 as councilman for the city of São Paulo as a member of the Communist Party of Brazil, joining the Liberal Party later.

Da Guia was born in Rio de Janeiro. His father, Domingos da Guia was a former national team member who played at the 1938 FIFA World Cup. His uncle, Ladislau da Guia, had pursued the same career path at an earlier stage, playing for Bangu Atlético Clube, and becoming their all-time best scorer with 215 goals.

Bangu International Soccer League: 1960 Palmeiras Campeonato Paulista: 1963, 1966, 1972, 1974, 1976 Torneio Rio-São Paulo: 1965 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1967 (TB), 1967 (TRGP), 1969, 1972, 1973 Laudo Natel Tournament: 1972 Copa Libertadores runner-up: 1968 Individual Campeonato Paulista Best Player: 1966 Bola de Prata: 1972 Troféu Arthur Friedenreich Best Midfilder: 1970, 1972, 1974