Andrey Santos and the best players to ever play for Vasco da Gama in Brazil

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New Manchester United signing Andrey Santos began his career with Vasco da Gama.

Manchester United fans may remember the name – Vasco da Gama defeated Manchester United at the Club World Cup in 2000, winning 3-1.

Santos made 49 appearances for the Brazilian club before clinching his move. United In Focus has taken a look at the best ever players to play for Vasco da Gama, and you can decide where he may rank one day…

Romario

One of Brazil’s greatest ever strikers, Romario scored twice against Manchester United during Vasco’s win in 2000.

Romario had already haunted Manchester United in 1994 in the Champions League with Barcelona, in one of two seasons he spent with the Spanish giants

Vasco were the club where Romario began his career in the mid-1980s, before he was snapped up by PSV.

His second spell in 2000 was followed by two more. Romario returned to Vasco for a season in 2005/06 before another brief stint in 2007, after spells in the US and Australia.

Edmundo

Edmundo was one of the top Brazilian strikers of the 1990s, one who was overshadowed by Romario, Bebeto and Ronaldo.

He actually went one better than Romario by having five different spells with Vasco da Gama, beginning his career with the club in 1991 before retiring in 2008.

Edmundo also played against Manchester United in the Club World Cup, scoring a fantastic third goal to round off a miserable trip to Brazil for the Treble-winners.

From this list of Man Utd midfield signings – Who was the best and worst value for money?

What are your hopes and expectations for Andrey Santos?

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Juninho Pernambucano

One of the greatest free-kick takers of all-time, Juninho Pernambucano had three spells for Vasco da Gama.

He began his career with Sport Recife before signing for Vasco in 1995. He spent six seasons with the club and was also part of the side that defeated Manchester United.

Juninho would go on to spend eight seasons with Lyon before eventually returning to Vasco for two stints, with a MLS spell in-between.

Pernambucano is on record stating he believes Andrey Santos can become a far better player than he ever was.

Carlos Germano

Carlos Germano is regarded as the greatest ever goalkeeper to play for Vasco da Gama. Only one player has played more games for the club.

Germano played more than 600 times for Vasco between 1991 and 2000. He was a back-up for Brazil at international level behind Taffarel.

Roberto Dinamite

Vasco da Gama’s record appearance holder and record goalscorer, Roberto Dinamite is also the all-time top scorer in the Brazilian championship.

Dinamite played more than 1,000 games for Vasco and scored more than 700 goals. He passed away in 2023 aged 68.

He had two long spells for Vasco between 1971 and 1992, with one brief stint at Barcelona in-between. Dinamite scored 20 goals in 38 games for Brazil, but did not have the World Cup success of some of the other icons who are more well-known in Europe.