Olegário Tolói de Oliveira, fondly remembered by Palmeiras fans as Dudu, died at the age of 84 on this Friday (28th). He had been hospitalized a month ago due to a pelvic fissure and left us due to an abdominal infection. Palmeiras has declared an official 7-day mourning period for Dudu’s passing.
Dudu is one of the greatest idols in the Verdão club’s history. He played in the midfield during the glorious era of the Palmeiras Academy, alongside Ademir da Guia, with whom he won five Brazilian Championships (1967, 1967, 1969, 1972 and 1973), three São Paulo State Championships (1966, 1972 and 1974) and the Rio-São Paulo Tournament of 1965. With 615 games and 13 consecutive seasons for Palestra Itália, he is the fourth player with the most appearances for the team.
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Dudu also played for Ferroviária-SP, Confiança-SE and Sevilla, Spain. In addition to being a former player and being idolized by major clubs in the country, he was the uncle of Dorival Júnior, the coach of the Brazilian National Team. Dorival, in fact, followed in Dudu’s footsteps, who became a coach after retiring from the field, having commanded Palmeiras, Ferroviária, America-RJ, among others.
“Dudu was a reference for me, not only as a professional athlete and coach, but above all as a human being, who was always a person who cared about everything around him and very little about himself. He has always been a reference in my life, an example for me,” he praised.
“I always tried to follow the steps guided very much by him, a guy who wore three jerseys in his life: from Ferroviária de Araraquara, from Palmeiras and from the National Team. For me, it represents a lot because in addition to the beautiful history he had, (he was) a human being that I may not have known (another like). A person who practically guided me in all moments of my life, since I was willing to follow the same profession as him,” he explained.
The coach said he had met Dudu a short time ago and felt that it might have been the last time he would see his uncle.
“I’m sure he will be very well received by the person he was, he will have a very peaceful passage. He is a highly spiritual person. The last time I was with him, about 20, 30 days ago, I already realized that it might have been the last time,” he said.
