Career in Pictures: Brazilian legend Zico

Sunday March 3rd marks the 66th birthday of Brazilian football legend, Zico.

One of the greatest players to have ever played the game – as highlighted by his inclusion at number eight in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote – the playmaker excelled for Selecao between 1976-1986.

At club level, the free-kick specialist is best known for his time at Flamengo where he helped the club win seven Campeonato Carioca’s, three Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A crowns, plus the Copa Uniao, Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup.

But if you say Zico to most fans around the world, the immediate picture which springs to mind is that of him in the famous yellow number 10 shirt, which was originally donned by the one and only Pele.

But despite going down as one of football’s greatest nation’s best and most influential players, Zico didn’t quite manage to win a major title for his country.

He was however a key part of teams – most notably at the 1982 World Cup – that played some of the best football this planet has ever seen, plus scored an impressive 48 times (fifth highest behind Pele, Ronaldo, Neymar and Romario) in 71 caps.

With that in mind Shoot has been digging around in the archives for five of Zico’s defining moments during his 10-year international career.

Dream Debut

A lot of fuss surrounded Zico before he had even made his full international debut as he was seen as the next superstar to replace Pele.

And the then 23-year-old didn’t disappoint as he showed his skill from dead-ball situations to score from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win over Uruguay in the Copa del Atlantico.

We don’t have an image of that moment but we do have one of the squad which took part in that competition.

First World Cup

Zico’s first of three World Cup campaigns came in 1978 in Argentina.

Once again Brazil, who had previously won the trophy three times, entered the tournament as one of the favourites.

Zico, who wore eight at the time, had netted five goals in qualification, including four in one game against Bolivia but didn’t find the net in a first stage which Brazil just about snuck through in second.

In the opening match of that group stage he thought he’d headed a winning goal against Sweden late on.

However, it was controversially ruled out by Welsh referee Clive Thomas who said that he had blown the whistle to end the match while the ball was still in the air from a corner.

The number 10 netted his first World Cup goal came in the first game of the second round from the penalty spot in a 3-0 win against Peru but Brazil finished second and missed out on the final on goal difference.

They defeated Italy 2-1 in the third placed play-off but with just one goal and no World Cup victory it was a slightly disappointing tournament for Zico.

Copa America

Despite their illustrious history, Brazil were heading into the 1979 Copa America tournament having not won the trophy for 30 years.

In what was to be Zico’s one and only Copa America tournament, he scored in victories over Argentina and Bolivia as he stepped up to be his side’s catalyst.

However, in the final game of the first stage he was shown a red card against Argentina.

Then, remarkably, in the first-leg of the semi-final against Paraguay, he was sent off again which saw him miss the second-leg.

Paraguay ended up beating Brazil 3-2 on aggregate before going on to beat Chile in the final.

It was another bronze for Zico and Brazil.

The Class of ’82

Simply one of the best international teams ever to have played the game, a bit like the Dutch sides of the 70s it’s a bit of a mystery as to why Brazil didn’t become world champions.

Played in Spain, Selecao’s squad included Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Eder and a host of other talented individuals.

Managed by the great Tele, the side started off on fire by winning all three group matches in which they scored 10 times.

Zico netted three times in those games and was involved (goal or assist) in eight consecutive goals for his country.

But after scoring the winner in a 3-1 win against Argentina in the second round – a game which eliminated their great rivals, Brazil came up against a strong Italy side to see who would take their place in the last-four.

And in a classic World Cup match in Barcelona, the Italians, who went on to win the tournament, won 3-2 thanks to a Paolo Rossi hat-trick.

Again, it was a tournament of style over substance for Brazil and Zico.

Woes of ’86

At the age of 33, Zico knew that his final chance to win the World Cup with Brazil would come in Mexico.

However, he had suffered a bad knee injury and looked set to miss the tournament until coach Tele talked him round to giving it a go.

The superstar number 10 missed all three group matches and the 4-0 second round victory over Poland but he would be needed in the quarter-final clash with France.

After coming on as a second-half substitute his first pass split the French defence and earned his country a penalty.

But the reliable spot-kick specialist missed the kick and the match went to a shootout.

The playmaker then converted his effort but misses by Socrates and Cesar saw Brazil exit the competition. 

Zico’s dreams of winning a major title with his country were over.