Roberto Rivelino (b. January 1st, 1946 - São Paulo) is a
Brazilian football player, famous for his extremely potent left-foot
shot, thunderous long-range free kicks and large moustache. He
also invented a soccer move called the "Elastico", also known as
"flip flap". He is widely regarded as one of the most graceful
footballers ever, and is usually ranked as the 4th best
Brazilian, after Pele, Garrincha, and Zico, respectively, as
well as one of the best midfielders the world's ever seen.
Rivelino, as he is most commonly known in Brazil, started as a
futsal player in Clube Indiano, São Paulo. His first
professional club was Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, one of
the most important Brazilian soccer teams. Unfortunately for him,
when he played for Corinthians, the club was in one of the worst
state of its history. After losing the 1974 São Paulo State
championship to Corinthians' arch-rival, Palmeiras, Rivelino was
ostracized by the majority of Corinthians' supporters, and left
the club to play for Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro. Among the
cariocas, Rivelino was also an idol, winning the Carioca State
Championship in 1975 and 1976. Towards the end of the seventies,
Rivelino went to play in Saudi Arabia; he retired in 1981.
He scored 165 goals for Corinthians.
Rivelino is also one of the players that have more than 100 caps
for the Brazilian national team. He was a starter in most games
in the successful Brazilian campaign in the 1970 World Cup,
scoring 3 goals, including the powerful free-kick against
Czechoslovakia, which earned him the nickname "patada atomica"
by Mexican fans. Rivelino also played in the 1974 and 1978 World
Cups, although with less success (4th and 3rd places
respectively).
After his professional retirement, Rivelino started a career as
a soccer commentator and coach (he has directed the Japanese
national team).
Rivelino was one of the players named by Pele in 2004 as the 125
Greatest Living Footballers. |
