Merica (footballer)

Valdemiro Lima da Silva (13 September 1953 – 13 September 2025), better known as Merica, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Career

A defensive midfielder, Merica began his career in the city of Alagoinhas, first as an amateur with Ferroviário and then as a professional with Atlético de Alagoinhas. In 1976 he was hired by Flamengo where he made 182 appearances. It was said that he played like two players, due to his application and intensity in defensive system. He later returned to the northeast, where he was state champion for Bahia, Sport Recife and Confiança.

Death

Merica died in Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brazil on 13 September 2025, at the age of 72.

Honours

Flamengo

• Torneio Quadrangular de Jundiaí: 1975
• Taça Geraldo Cleofas Dias Alves: 1976
• Taça Cidade de São Paulo: 1976
• Taça Governador Elmo Cerejo: 1976
• Taça Nelson Rodrigues: 1976
• Taça Duque de Caxias: 1976
• Troféu Antonio Valmir Campelo Bezerra: 1977

Bahia

• Campeonato Baiano: 1978

Sport Recife

• Campeonato Pernambucano: 1980, 1981, 1982

Confiança

• Campeonato Sergipano: 1986, 1988

References