What’s up, guys? How are you doing? Today’s Dica will be all about Zico, one of the best Brazilian football players ever and known to many as The White Pelé. Did you know Zico played in the 1982 World Cup? For many years Zico also played for the Flamengo Team in Rio de Janeiro, and he always wore jersey number 10! Do you have any idea what his famous scorpion goal is? Let’s talk about him and learn Portuguese while having fun!
Arthur Antunes Coimbra was born on March 3rd, 1953 in Rio de Janeiro. He started his career playing for Flamengo, and was a key player during the most glorious period of the team’s history. Along with many other titles, Zico, in his first period at Flamengo, led the team to the win of Copa Libertadores da América in 1981 as well as the Intercontinental Cup on that same year.
He also helped Flamengo win four national titles (1980, 1982, 1983, and 1987). On the field, Zico scored goals in all imaginable ways. He was also a great assister and team organizer, and was known for his excellent vision on the field. He was a two-footed player and an expert at free kicks.
Besides all that, he had the chance to play in Europe. That opportunity came along when he played for Udinese (1983 – 1985). But because of injuries and adaptation problems, he wasn’t as successful as he was in Flamengo, and after two years he moved back to his home team and retired a few years after in 1989.
In 1991, he came out from his retirement and accepted the challenge of helping Japan develop and promote it’s first national football league, playing for Kashima Antlers. He was the league’s star and a celebrity there. His popularity was so big in Japan that he became the team’s coach during the World Cup in 2006.
While playing for Kashima, he scored one of his most famous and beautiful goals, as you can see in the video below. The curious name comes from the fact Zico saw no way to make the goal other than jumping horizontally and kicking with his ankles. This was later called the Zico scorpion goal!
Even though Zico played at two World Cups (1982, 1986) playing for Brazil. But, unfortunately, Zico didn’t get the chance to win one. But he was one of the stars and leaders of a team that made the world feel pleasure watching football. A team that had players like Falcão, Sócrates and many other amazing athletes. Even nowadays people find it unbelievable that Zico, the star of Brazil in 1982, didn’t win the World Cup.
Nowadays Zico is mostly active as a coach and as a TV commentator in Brazil. However, we cannot discuss Brazilian Football without mentioning this great player and his goals, especially during his time at the Brazilian team Flamengo. Take a look at a few of his best goals during his time at Flamengo.
His best moments were playing for Flamengo, for sure. Here we have a small timeline with his most important titles:
Statistically speaking, Zico has always worn shirt number 10. Except on two occasions, it didn’t matter if he played for Brazil, Flamengo or even Kashima Antlers: he was always the number 10 of the team.
In the football world, this number is very significant. The number 10 in the team is traditionally not the one who scores the most. Number 10 is the player responsible for playing just behind the forwards, and he/she has a difficult job: creating goal-scoring opportunities for the team.
So, that Zico’s wish is always honoured – even playing number 10 in Japan – shows just how much the football world respects him. Zico is so famous and so important in the Brazilian soccer scene that nowadays his jerseys are still popular. He even has a store of his own, full of jerseys, shirts, and lots of other Zico merch for sale!
Complete the sentences with everything you learn on our Dica of today:
That’s all my friends! We have just learned about Zico’s participation with Brazil in the World Cups of 1982 and 1986. Also, about Zico’s amazing career in Flamengo and his jersey number! If you want to know more about Brazilian football and players, go to A Dica do Dia or send us a tweet to our Twitter account asking questions or giving suggestions.
See you soon, guys!
Hugs from Rio de Janeiro!
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Rio de Janeiro Football Teams
Football in Portuguese
Brazilian Football Player Pelé
Sports in Portuguese
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