Wanderley dies, the scorer who took Levante to First

The I raised dismiss the figure of Wanderley Machado Da Silva, died yesterday at the age of 81 in Massanassa (Valencia), where he settled after retiring. The striker, Brazilian by birth but Valencian by adoption, and brother of the mythical former player of Valencia Waldo Machado, he played five seasons in the ranks of the Orriols set, with which he was the figure of the first ascent of history to First division in his first season at the club, signing 12 goals in 16 games since his arrival on January 1, 1963.

Wanderley, who was close to closing his signing for the Elche Due to his brother's friendship with one of the executives, he ended up in Levante for a carambola of destiny. Waldo, convinced of his potential, and already settled in Spain, saw a future in the country. He was not wrong. Its premiere in Cartagena He was hopeful, signing the first of his many goals of granota after a long dispute to give his high card. In 1963 the signing of foreigners in Second was prohibited but the entity claimed that its hiring was closed since the summer of 62.

During his stage in the Levant, signed 48 goals in 107 games, 36 in Second, 11 in First and one in the Promotion of promotion to First against the Deportivo de la Coruña. After five seasons wearing the elastic Barca, the striker is still established as one of the 15 top scorers in the history of the club in the highest category of Spanish football in its 110 years of history.

The two brothers starred in the first Valencian derby in First, on the third day of the 1963-64 seasons. On the grass they coincided in three derbies in the two consecutive seasons in the elite. Levante won the two games played in Vallejo, but lost in his visits to Mestalla (They have not yet managed to win in neighboring territory). Wanderley scored a goal in the first of four games.

After five courses as in Levante, and after a final season of 19 goals in the silver category, he stood in the ranks of the Malaga, in First, where he stayed three seasons. Both, at 36 and 33 respectively, joined their paths in the Hercules Second in his last active season. They were no longer the same.

Sunday, in front of Pomegranate, the City of Valencia He will fire the legend. With the derby just around the corner, it would be a great opportunity to remember the figure of two Brazilians closely linked to the city. Waldo, meanwhile, died in 2019. Born in Niterói (Rio de Janeiro) and dismissed with honors in Valencia. His memories went off as a result of Alzheimer's, but his memory is still alive. His legacy is indelible.