Jair da Costa


Jair da Costa is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a right winger.

Club career

Jair started his club career with Portuguesa as a youth, making his senior debut against XV Novembro de Jaú. Whilst with Portugesa he helped them to the runners-up spot in the 1960 Campeonato Paulista.
Jair moved to Italian side Internazionale in November 1962, and went on to play a total of 260 senior games for the Milan club in two spells. He was notably a key member of Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter squad on the right wing, and won four Serie A titles, and two European Cups in 1964 and 1965, as well as consecutive Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965, during his time at the club.
In between his two spells with Inter, Jair also spent the 1967–68 season with A.S. Roma. Following his time in Italy, he later returned to Brazil in 1972 and played for Santos FC until 1974, winning the Campeonato Paulista in 1973. He ended his career in Canada in 1975, with Windsor Star.

International career

At international level, Jair only obtained one cap for the Brazil national football team, due to the presence of Garrincha in his position; his only appearance came in a 3–1 friendly win over Wales in São Paulo, on 16 May 1962. He was also a non-playing member of the Brazilian team that won the 1962 FIFA World Cup.

Style of play

An extremely fast and agile winger, with quick feet and good technique, Jair was also known for his powerful striking ability and his great pace on the ball; due to these abilities, he was also capable of functioning as a striker. He was also known for his dribbling skills and use of elaborate feints.

Honours

Club

;Inter
;Santos
;Brazil