Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal

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Branco
Personal information
Full name Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal
Date of birth April 4, 1964 (age 43)
Place of birth    Bagé, Brazil
Nickname Branco
Playing position Defender
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1980-1981
1981-1986
1986-1988
1988-1991
1991-1993
1992-1994
1995
1995
1996
1997
Internacional
Fluminense
Brescia (loan)
FC Porto
Genoa
Grêmio
Flamengo
Corinthians
Middlesbrough
MetroStars









11 (1)   
National team
Brazil 72 (9)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Branco, real name Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal, (born April 4, 1964 in Bagé, Brazil) is a football defender, a deadly free kick taker, and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

On the club level, Branco played for Internacional (1980-81), Fluminense (1981-86)(94)(99), Brescia (1986-88), FC Porto (1988-91), Genoa (1991-93), Grêmio (1992-94), Flamengo (1995), Corinthians (1995), Middlesbrough (1996), and MetroStars (1997). Branco's late career in England and the United States was marred by weight problems.

Branco appeared 72 times and scored nine goals for Brazil. After sitting out four out of the first five games at the 1994 World Cup, he scored on a late memorable free kick from 35 meters to eliminate the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, and had one of Brazil's penalties in the shootout that beat Italy in the finals.

As of 2006, he is the general manager overseeing Brazil national youth teams.

Currently (2007), he works as the director of football in Fluminense.


Flag of Brazil Brazil squad - 1986 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finalists Flag of Brazil

1 Carlos | 2 Edson | 3 Oscar | 4 Edinho | 5 Falcão | 6 Júnior | 7 Müller | 8 Casagrande | 9 Careca | 10 Zico | 11 Edivaldo | 12 Paulo Vitor | 13 Josimar | 14 Júlio César | 15 Alemão | 16 Mauro Galvão | 17 Branco | 18 Sócrates | 19 Elzo | 20 Silas | 21 Valdo | 22 Leão | Coach: Santana

Flag of Brazil Brazil squad - 1990 FIFA World Cup Flag of Brazil

1 Taffarel | 2 Jorginho | 3 Ricardo Gomes | 4 Dunga | 5 Alemão | 6 Branco | 7 Bismarck | 8 Valdo | 9 Careca | 10 Silas | 11 Romário | 12 Acácio | 13 Mozer | 14 Aldair | 15 Müller | 16 Bebeto | 17 Renato Gaúcho | 18 Mazinho | 19 Ricardo Rocha | 20 Tita | 21 Mauro Galvão | 22 Zé Carlos | Coach: Lazaroni

Flag of Brazil Brazil squad - 1994 FIFA World Cup Champions (4th Title) Flag of Brazil

1 Taffarel | 2 Jorginho | 3 Ricardo Rocha | 4 Ronaldão | 5 Mauro Silva | 6 Branco | 7 Bebeto | 8 Dunga | 9 Zinho | 10 Raí | 11 Romário | 12 Zetti | 13 Aldair | 14 Cafu | 15 Márcio Santos | 16 Leonardo | 17 Mazinho | 18 Paulo Sérgio | 19 Müller | 20 Ronaldo | 21 Viola | 22 Gilmar | Coach: Parreira