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Gilmar RinaldiFormer Brazilian footballer, goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 13.01.1959
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
Early Career
Gilmar Rinaldi began his professional football career in 1978 with Internacional, where he spent seven seasons. He achieved notable successes during his time there, winning five Campeonato Gaúcho titles (1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984) and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1979. His departure from Internacional in 1985 paved the way for Cláudio Taffarel to become the club's first-choice goalkeeper and eventually Brazil's goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup.
Success with São Paulo
In 1985, Gilmar joined São Paulo, where he finally established himself as a starting goalkeeper. He won the Campeonato Paulista in his first year with the club. In 1986, he helped São Paulo win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A by defeating Guarani in a penalty shootout. Gilmar's six-year spell with São Paulo also yielded two additional Campeonato Paulista titles (1987, 1989).
International Career
Despite his success at club level, Gilmar faced intense competition for the starting goalkeeper position in the Brazilian national team, notably from Taffarel. Consequently, he only made nine (or ten, according to some sources) appearances for Brazil between 1986 and 1995. Despite not being a regular starter, Gilmar was surprisingly included in Brazil's squad for the 1994 World Cup, where he served as Taffarel's backup. This inclusion ultimately led to him winning a World Cup medal.
Later Career and Beyond
After leaving São Paulo in 1991, Gilmar joined Flamengo, with whom he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Campeonato Carioca in 1992. He continued his career in Japan from 1995 to 1999 before retiring as a player. Post-retirement, he worked as a football agent and later joined the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Since 2014, Gilmar has served as the CBF's technical coordinator for all Brazil's national teams, ranging from youth levels to the senior team.
