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ZICO
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REAL NAME: ARTHUR ANTUNES COIMBRA
BORN: MAR. 3, 1953
COUNTRY: Brazil
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3 tournaments ('78, '82,'86)
CLUBS: Flamengo, Udinese, Flamengo, Kashima Antlers
INTRODUCTION: Greatest player of the 1982 World Cup in Spain and one of the world's best in the early eighties.
CAREER INTERNATIONAL GOALS: 66 in 88 games (or 54 in 78 games under stricter definition of international matches) |
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1978 World Cup - Argentina
Zico made a promising debut in the 1978 tournament in Argentina. In the the last minute of a group match against Sweden, Brazil was held 1-1 and was awarded a corner. Zico jumped above the defense and turn the cross in. But the referee controversially disallowed his headed goal, claiming that he had blown the final whistle and the play has ended when the ball was in the air !
1982 World Cup - Spain
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CUP SENSATION
Zico in action against the Soviet Union. He was the most admired player in the 1982 World Cup. |
Although Zico had an unspectacular debut in Argentina, his club displays subsequent to the tournament has raised expectation from the fans worldwide. Coming to this World Cup, he earned a rightful tag as one of the greatest players in the early eighties. In this tournament, he inherited Brazil's revered number 10 shirt from Rivelino and was dubbed "the White Pele". He did not disappoint and was the most admired star in the 1982. Zico scored 5 goals, including a stunning free kick and a spectacular bicycle kick, both against New Zealand. Brazil's defeat by Italy had much to do with the man-handling Zico suffered from his marker, Claudio Gentile, who went on fouling without being punished by the referee.
1986 World Cup - Mexico
Four years later, Zico was 33 and his World Cup plans was frustrated by injuries. The Brazilian hero of the last World Cup, ironically, missed a penalty against France which could have sent Brazil into the semi-finals.
HIS GOALS IN THE WORLD CUP - COMPLETE RECORD
| 1978 |
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| Quarter-final: 1st match |
v. Peru |
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| 1982 |
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| 1st round: 2nd match |
v. Scotland |
| 1st round: 3rd match |
v. New Zealand (2) |
| Quarter-final:1st match |
v. Argentina |
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