I'd like to have heard more about Mauro Ramos and why he is so well regarded. Anto's criticism of him was a little flimsy, but it wasn't that well refuted frankly. That's the problem with those sorts of players, you struggle to defend or praise given the lack of evidence kicking about.
Djalma in the middle with Da Guia would be a strong option. I rate Silva highly and it showed how much Brazil depended upon him in their implosion against Germany.
Mauro Ramos
He was the captain of Sao Paulo, Pele's Santos and the Brazilian National Team.
"For those who saw Domingos da Guia playing, it was unthinkable that a center-back could come close to “El Divino Maestro” once was: the perfection. This was just recognized in 1946, in Poços de Caldas, countryside of the state of Minas Gerais, for those who watched his first steps while Mauro was at Associação Atlética Caldense, his local hometown team. The young man demonstrated an elegant and classic style, great in using his head, loyal in the tackles – however steady. He was a good marker although he was slow. He had a lot of Domingos indeed."
“Mauro was a classical defender, elegant; he was never prone to use violent tackles or being disloyal. He always was capable to stop adversary attacks with an immense stillness.”
How come he could play with Zozimo who was a playmaking midfielder by heart? Back then Brazilian centre backs were defenders first and foremost;
Mauro Ramos - "It's foolishness. If a center-back, while pursuing a forward, finds himself in a position in which he doesn't have sufficient quality, he will pay dearly for it. Did you know Oscar came back from USA because of this?". The text still follows: "Oscar fully agrees with Mauro and he thinks the better for the Brazilian football is to go on by doing what he knows best."
Club
1947 Sanjoanense
1948 - 1959 São Paulo FC: 492 appearances / 2 goals
1960 - 1966 Santos FC: 354 appearances / 1 goals
1966-1967 - Toluca
Trophies & Tournaments:
1948 Campeonato Paulista - São Paulo F.C.
1949 Campeonato Paulista - São Paulo F.C.
1949 Copa America - Brazil
1950 Taça Rio Branco - São Paulo F.C.
1953 Campeonato Paulista - São Paulo F.C.
1955 O'Higgins Cup - Brazil
1957 Campeonato Paulista - São Paulo F.C.
1958 World Cup - Brazil
1959 Torneio Rio-São Paulo - São Paulo F.C.
1960 Campeonato Paulista - Santos F.C.
1961 Campeonato Paulista - Santos F.C.
1961 Taça Brasil - Santos F.C.
1961 O'Higgins Cup - Brazil
1962 Campeonato Paulista - Santos F.C.
1962 Copa Libertadores - Santos F.C.
1962 World Cup - Brazil
1962 Intercontinental Cup - Santos F.C.
1962 Taça Brasil - Santos F.C.
1963 Copa Libertadores - Santos F.C.
1963 Taça Brasil - Santos F.C.
1963 Coppa Roca - Brazil
1963 Torneio Rio-São Paulo - Santos F.C.
1963 Intercontinental Cup - Santos F.C.
1964 Campeonato Paulista - Santos F.C.
1964 Torneio Rio-São Paulo - Santos F.C.
1964 Taça Brasil - Santos F.C.
1965 Campeonato Paulista - Santos F.C.
1965 Taça Brasil - Santos F.C.