Athletico 100 years: Alfredo Gottardi Jr, the family star

I’m sure the defender Alfredo Gottardi Junior would be a great success in contemporary football. Trained as a midfielder in the mid-1960s, he soon took a few steps back to the head of the box. In 1969, he had to break a sweat in the fourth defense to help his coach (and namesake) Alfredo Ramos and thus found his place, initially teaming up with the giant Bellini.

Son of the greatest player in the club’s history, Cashew, he grew up in the Baixada woods, as his uncle, former goalkeeper Alberto, was the stadium manager. He was very skilled and confident (almost mad) with his own bat.

He liked to go out with the round ball, on the ground, dribbling his opponents if necessary, at a time when defenders didn’t usually do that. Over time, he learned the ropes of the defender’s position and became a historic Athletico player, honoring the Gottardi family, a powerhouse of stars and legends in Athletico history.

Alfredo was a starter on the 1970 champion team. In the 1972 team, which many point to as the great team of that decade, he was paired with Di. He was brilliant and the only reason he wasn’t superb was because the title-winning goal he was scoring was taken off the line. In 1974, he was the team’s highlight in Furacão’s good campaign in the Brazilian Championship.

Between comings and goings, he spent 11 years playing and a short period as coach, enough time to get the team off the ground in 1980. Alfredo is in our history as a great defender with the name and surname of a star.