ZICO 'O Galinho De Quintinho"

“Rio de Janeiro” the heart of Brazil and the heartbeat of football A city alive with the beautiful game generations inspired by their idols and fewer more inspirational than the Flamengo legend “Arthur Antunes Coimbra Zico”. Born in Rio de Janeiro on the 3^rd of march 1953 Arthur Antunes Coimbra was the youngest of five brothers he grew up here in the working class neighborhood of continued bock over and it was on these streets where it all began. The young Arthur also gained his first nickname known Zico. And it was playing indoor football or Futsal where Zico was first spotted in 1967 at the age of 13 he was set to join his brother to America club instead he was offered a trial at the club he fanatically supported Flamengo. Despite a successful trail the club near that Zico wasn’t strong enough and made him follow a strict fitness regime to gain weight it would take determination to ensure that he broke into the first team his slight frame and endless running and the young Zico another nickname too The Rooster. Zico was surrounded by Brazilian legends at Flamengo but they knew the rooster was a legend in the making himself under Mario Zagallo in 1972 he started to make his mark.

It was only a matter of time before his ability caught the eye of national team selectors. Despite Brazil controversial exit the experience in Argentina had been a learning curve back in Rio at Flamengo a new generation of players had emerged and in Zico the side had its star no one symbolized the dynamic new face of Brazilian football more than Flamengo’s number10 clean living dedicated and professional he was an instant hit on the terraces. Indeed his Flamengo career was characterized by the strong bond he shared with the fans even today he is idolized at the Maracana. Flamengo are commonly regarded as the people’s team in Rio the fans have always identified with the players who show spirit and determination above all other qualities. Their aim was simple to become the best side in the world winning their first title in 1980 was a decisive step in that direction. While Flamengo  boasted an a ray of attacking talent there was never any doubt the real star of the show was Zico had already become the heartbeat the both Flamengo and Brazil he was the man who made the difference.

More than anything though he was becoming famous for his eyes for goal from Free-kick from outside the area Zico was simply deadly. Yet he still had his doubters the Sao Paulo press suggest that he could only turn it on but Flamengo’s home ground the Maracana no one has ever played more games or scored more goals in Brazil’s legendary stadium. What truly changed the national perception of Zico’s ability was the World club cup in 1981 Flamengo traveled to Tokyo to face the European champions Liverpool inspired by captain Zico he secured their place in Brazil’s football history a 3-0 win had their illustrious opponents baffled.

The world cup in Spain; Brazil hadn’t won the tournament since 1970 expectations for Zico’s generation were inevitably high. Brazil immediately justified their reputations as pre tournament favourite but the brand of football that captured the purest hearts and it came as little surprised that Zico provided the cutting edge as he so often did with Flamengo. Brazil’s star palyer struck three times in the tournament opening phase he’d become the undisputable number 10 for both club and country.He was still number one back in Rio Flamango were only too delighted to welcome him back it wasn’t the first or the last time that he’d sought refuge with his hometown club and domestically Flamengo showed no signs of letting up as they landed a third title in 1983. Zico celebrated that 1983 triumph with his beloved fans trouble was brewing behind the scenes a rift had developed between the player and the club against Zico wishes Flamengo decided to cash in and sell their star asset the player was adamant that he never had any intention of leaving but his hand was forced to unthinkable had occurred Zico would leave Flamengo and the time had come to try his luck in Europe.

 Little known Udinese Italian club would won the race to sign the world’s best player. Udinese new hero wasted little time in settling in 1984 he was the second top scorer in SERIE A with 19 goals but his Italian adventure soon began to wrong. Again they were critics suggestions he lacked the mental fortitude to succeed in Europe but in reality Zico wanted to do what he loves most score goals for his hometown club in his beloved Rio. He return to Brazil also meant a return to the national team now in his early 30’s Zico star showed no sign of fading despite now being plagued by injury problems. A stunning hat-trick against Yugoslavia in 1986 proved he was ready for one last crack of world cup glory in Maxico. Brazil began brightly and insured themselves of a quarterfinal tie against the European Champions France but Zico was struggling to overcome a knee injury and found himself in an unfamiliar position on the bench. With the match locked at 1-1 Zico was once again introduced as the potential savior and he was greeted to a standing ovation. Brazil went on to lose in a penalty shootout Socrates one of two players to miss as France sealed a famous win. Once again the reaction from Flamengo was completely different another world cup failure but yet another warm welcome home in Rio while his career was coming to an end Zico found a new lease of life nurturing a very young side. Flamengo’s number 10 inspired by his teammates to title number four in 1987 of all his many achievements perhaps this one was his greatest. In 1989 at the age of 36 he felt he had no option but to retire. He scored 52 goals for Brazil and more than 500 for Flamengo. Zico himself considers the moment he first arrived there as the defining moment of a glittering 20 years at the top.   
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