Valdo Cândido Filho (born 12 January 1964), known simply as Valdo, is a Brazilian football manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
In a senior playing career spanning more than two decades, he played in Brazil, Portugal, France and Japan, and was notably associated with Grêmio, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain. He later managed the Congo national football team from 2018 to 2021.
Valdo earned more than 40 caps for the Brazil national football team, representing his country at two FIFA World Cup tournaments and two Copa América editions. He was part of the Brazil squad that won the 1989 Copa América.
Club career Born in Siderópolis, Santa Catarina, Valdo began playing football with Figueirense Futebol Clube, making his professional debuts with Grêmio Football Porto-Alegrense, with which he won four consecutive Rio Grande do Sul Leagues.
In the summer of 1988 he signed with S.L. Benfica of Portugal alongside compatriot Ricardo Gomes, a central defender. Both were important elements in their debut season as the team won the Primeira Liga championship, a feat which was again accomplished in 1991, with the midfielder netting five goals in 26 matches.
Both Valdo and Gomes left for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the 1991 summer, and both would return four years later to the Lisbon side, having won a total of four titles, including the 1993–94 edition of the Ligue 1. In his second Benfica spell, he played in 30 league matches in each of his two seasons, winning the Taça de Portugal in 1996.
Aged 32, Valdo joined J1 League club Nagoya Grampus Eight, and returned to his country after two slow years. He would continue to play until the age of 40, representing six teams in quick succession (he ended his career after having helped Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas achieve its return to the Série A).
Valdo began working as a manager in 2009, in Brazilian amateur football. Five years later, he rejoined his former Benfica boss Artur Jorge at MC Alger from Algeria.
International career Valdo earned 45 caps for the Brazil national team, during six years. Before having made his first appearance he was called to the 1986 FIFA World Cup squad, but did not play one single second.
In the 1990 edition in Italy, Valdo was already a starter, and took part in the country's four matches in the tournament, including the round-of-16 1–0 loss against Argentina.
Style of play Valdo was a technically skilled midfielder, noted for his vision, passing and physical condition. Originally used as a left winger during his early career, he was later moved into a central playmaking role at Grêmio under Rubens Minelli.
Personal life Upon retiring from football, Valdo settled in Portugal with his Portuguese wife. The couple had one daughter, Tatiele, who died in a car accident at only 13.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGrêmio1984Série A50501985194194198627627619871521521988306306Total96189618Benfica1988–89Primeira Liga2832831989–902432431990–91265265Total78117811Paris Saint-Germain1991–92Ligue 13233231992–932832831993–943013011994–9525332285Total115103211812Benfica1995–96Primeira Liga3043041996–97304304Total608608Nagoya Grampus Eight1997J1 League162104021219981020041143Total2641081355Cruzeiro1998Série A3063061999161161Total477467Santos2000Série A191191Atlético Mineiro2001Série A231231Juventude2002Série A122122São Caetano2003Série A0000Botafogo2004Série A442442Career total519641011353167
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBrazil19871141988601989170199070199100199220199320Total454
Honours Grêmio Campeonato Gaúcho: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Benfica Primeira Liga: 1988–89, 1990–91 Taça de Portugal: 1995–96; runner-up 1988–89, 1996–97 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1989 European Cup: runner-up 1989–90
Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1: 1993–94 Coupe de France: 1992–93, 1994–95 Coupe de la Ligue: 1994–95
Cruzeiro Campeonato Mineiro: 1998 Recopa Sudamericana: 1999 Copa Centro-Oeste: 1999
Brazil Copa América: 1989 Pan American Games gold medal: 1987 South American Pre-Olympic Tournament: 1987 Rous Cup: 1987
Individual World Soccer World XI: 1990, 1991 Bola de Prata (Silver Ball): 1998
References
External links