Rivellino is a celebrated Brazilian football player and manager, known for his impactful career in the sport.
He was a key member of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team, often hailed as the greatest-ever World Cup team.
Rivellino earned the nickname "O Rei do Parque" while playing for S.C. Corinthians Paulista, reflecting his popularity among fans.
Biography
Early Life
Roberto Rivellino, known mononymously as Rivellino, was born in São Paulo, Brazil, where he began his journey in football as a futsal player at Clube Atlético Barcelona. His talent quickly shone through, leading him to join S.C. Corinthians Paulista, where he became a fan favorite and earned the nickname "O Rei do Parque" (King of the Park) due to his impressive performances at the club's home ground, Parque São Jorge.
Club Career
Rivellino's professional career spanned from 1965 to 1981, during which he played for several prominent clubs. After a successful stint at Corinthians, he moved to Fluminense F.C. in 1974, where he became a key player in the team known as "the tricolor machine." He helped Fluminense secure the Rio de Janeiro league championship in 1975 and 1976. In 1979, Rivellino transitioned to Al Hilal SFC in Saudi Arabia, where he concluded his playing career in 1981.
International Career
Rivellino was a pivotal member of Brazil's national team, contributing to their victory in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, often regarded as the greatest World Cup team in history. Wearing the number 11 jersey, he showcased his skills as an attacking midfielder, scoring three goals during the tournament, including a memorable free-kick against Czechoslovakia that earned him the nickname "Patada Atómica" (Atomic Kick). He also represented Brazil in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, finishing in fourth and third place, respectively.
Legacy
Renowned for his exceptional dribbling, vision, and free-kick abilities, Rivellino is celebrated as one of the greatest football players of all time. His style of play, particularly his mastery of the flip flap, has influenced many future stars, including Romário and Ronaldinho. Diego Maradona himself cited Rivellino as one of his greatest childhood inspirations, solidifying his legacy in the world of football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Rivellino was born in São Paulo, and started as a futsal player at Clube Atlético Barcelona. After that, he tried his luck with Barcelona's biggest rival, Corinthians, where he moved on to professional football and quickly became a favourite of the fans—and was therefore nicknamed "O Rei do Parque" (King of the Park) (after the club's home ground, Parque São Jorge). However, the late 60s and early 70s were one of the most troubled periods in the history of the club, which did not win a single São Paulo state league title between 1954 and 1977.
In 1974, after Corinthians was defeated by arch-rivals Palmeiras in the São Paulo league finals, as the star player Rivellino was singled out by most fans as one of the most responsible for not winning. He moved on to Rio de Janeiro, where he defended Fluminense until the end of the 1970s. Rivellino was undoubtedly the greatest star in the excellent Fluminense of the mid 70s, dubbed "the tricolor machine", among Doval, Pintinho, Gil and Carlos Alberto Torres. He won the Rio de Janeiro league championship in 1975 and 1976. By the end of the decade, he moved on to play for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia; he retired from professional football in 1981.
Rivellino was a key member of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup winning team, which is often cited as the greatest-ever World Cup team. Wearing the number 11 jersey, Rivellino was deployed on the left side of midfield and scored three goals, including the powerful bending free-kick against Czechoslovakia, which earned him the nickname "Patada Atómica" (Atomic Kick) by Mexican fans. Rivellino also played in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, finishing in fourth and third place respectively.
Rivellino has been called one of the greatest players of all time. He played as an attacking midfielder and was known for his ability to bend free kicks, long-range shooting, accurate long passing, vision, close ball control and dribbling skills. He also claimed to have perfected the flip flap, which was later adopted by players including Romário, Mágico González, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. Known for his close control, feints and left-footed ability, Rivellino was named by Diego Maradona as one of his greatest childhood inspirations.
International
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rivellino goal.
Managerial
- Club
- Al Hilal SFC (1979–1981)
- Club
- S.C. Corinthians Paulista (1965–1974)
- Club
- Fluminense F.C. (1974–1978)
- Club
- Brazil men's national football team (1965–1978)
- League
- North American Soccer League
- National team
- Brazil
Clubs
Played together with
- Abdulaziz KhathranAl Hilal SFC · 2003–2009
- Abdulellah Al-MalkiAl Hilal SFC · 2022
- Abdullah Al-HafithAl Hilal SFC · 2013–2020
- Abdullah Al-HamdanAl Hilal SFC · 2021–2026
Abdullah Al-MayoufAl Hilal SFC · 2015–2016- Abdullah Al-MayoufAl Hilal SFC · 2016–2023
Abdullah Al-SudairyAl Hilal SFC · 2010–2017- Abdullah Jumaan Al-DosariAl Hilal SFC · 1998–2006
- Abdullah Jumaan Al-DosariAl Hilal SFC · 2007–2007
- Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah Al-Zori Al-DosariAl Hilal SFC · 2006
Abdullah OtayfAl Hilal SFC · 2013–2023- Abdullah RadifAl Hilal SFC · 2021
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Roberto Rivellino, known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player who was one of the key members of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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