Zico

A physically slight teenager, Zico underwent an intensive muscle and body development program pioneered by physical education teacher José Roberto Francalacci. A combination of hard work and a special diet sponsored by Flamengo enabled Zico to develop the physique essential for his professional success. Between 1971 and 1972, Zico moved between Flamengo's youth and professional squads. Coach Fleitas Solich had confidence in Zico's abilities and promoted him to the first team, but after Mario Zagallo took over, Zico was considered too young and returned to the youth side. Zico's situation improved when Joubert, his first youth coach, became Flamengo's manager and permanently promoted him after 116 matches and 81 goals in the youth team.

Flamengo (1971–1983)

Considered the greatest player in Flamengo's history, Zico propelled the club to immense popularity. Along with many other titles, he most notably led the team to their first victories in the 1981 Copa Libertadores and the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, as well as four national titles (1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987). On the pitch, Zico was renowned for his creativity, goalscoring ability and vision. A two-footed player, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest free kicks specialists in football history.

Udinese (1983–1985)

Although Zico had turned down a 3-million dollar offer from A.C. Milan to stay at Flamengo in 1981, renewed European interest following the 1982 World Cup led Roma and A.C. Milan to once again pursue the Brazilian playmaker in 1983. Flamengo eventually accepted a 4-million dollar bid from Udinese for Zico. The size of the transfer prompted larger clubs to pressure the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), which initially blocked the move while requesting financial guarantees. This caused a commotion in Udine as enraged Friulians flocked to the streets in protest against the Italian federation and the federal government. Friuli had been ruled by Habsburg Austria for centuries, and Friulian football fans adopted the protest slogan "O Zico, o Austria!" ("Either Zico or Austria"). At the end of the controversy, the deal went through. Although the move saddened Flamengo supporters, Zico quickly became an idol in Udine, bringing…

An episode related to Brazil national football team almost made Zico give up on his career. He made his international debut in the South American qualifier to the 1972 Summer Olympics tournament playing 5 matches and scoring the qualifying goal against Argentina. Despite this fact, he wasn't called up to the Munich games. He felt extremely frustrated and told his father in dismay he wanted to stop playing football. He was even absent from training at Flamengo for 10 days, being later convinced otherwise by his brothers. In the opening group match of the 1978 World Cup against Sweden, Zico headed a corner kick into the goal in the final minute of the match, apparently breaking a 1–1 tie. However, in a call that became infamous, the Welsh referee Clive Thomas disallowed the goal, saying that he had blown the whistle to end the match while the ball was still in the air from a corner. In the second round, he scored from a penalty in a 3–0 win over Peru. Zico eventually won a bronze medal with Brazil at the tournament, defeating Italy in the 3rd place final. Zico also won another bronze medal with Brazil in the 1979 Copa América, where he scored two goals. The 1982 World Cup would see Zico as part of a squad, side by side with Paulo Roberto Falcão, Sócrates, Éder Aleixo, Toninho Cerezo and Léo Júnior. In spite of his 4 goals and the amount of skill in that squad (Zico was involved in eight consecutive goals scored by Brazil), the team was defeated 3–2 by Paolo Rossi and Italy in…

A classic number 10, Zico usually played as an attacking midfielder, although he was also capable of playing in several other attacking and midfield positions, and was also deployed as a central midfielder, as a second striker or inside forward, or even as an outside forward; he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. A diminutive playmaker, with a small, slender physique, although he was naturally right-footed, he was essentially a two-footed player, who was known for his flair, speed, exceptional technique, ball control and dribbling skills, as well as his use of tricks and feints to beat opponents with the ball. Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit rated Zico as "one of the best dribblers in the history of the game", describing him as "very nimble". Although he was not physically imposing, Zico was a quick, complete and highly creative player, with excellent vision, who is considered to be one of the best passers of all time and was known for his trademark no-look passes. In addition to being an elite creator of goalscoring opportunities, Zico was also a prolific goalscorer himself and an excellent finisher, due to his powerful and accurate striking ability, which made him extremely clinical in front of goal; as such he is also regarded by pundits as one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of the game. He was also a set-piece specialist, who was renowned for his ability to bend the ball and score from dead ball situations and is considered to be…