Zico
Date of Birth: March 3, 1953
Position: Attacking midfielder
Team: Brazil
Appearances: 71
Goals: 48
His change of pace, swerves and dynamic shooting made him the most exciting player to watch at the 1982 World Cup. He was nicknamed ‘The White Pele’. He and fellow midfielders Socrates, Falcao and Toninho Cerezo produced exhilarating football. He played well with his back to the goal and was renowned for his quick turns with the ball. Zico was South American ‘Player of the Year’ in 1977, 1981
and 1982. He is also considered one of the best playmakers and free-kick specialists, able to bend the ball in any direction with pace. According to Pele, widely considered the greatest footballer ever, “throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico”.
