Fio Maravilha

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João Batista Sales (born January 19, 1945 in Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais), better known as Fio Maravilha, is a former Brazilian football player. From 1966 to 1976 he played for Flamengo, usually as a centre forward.

He is perhaps most famous for the hit single "Fio Maravilha" that was written about him in 1972 by Jorge Ben (later known as Jorge Ben Jor). The musician attended a friendly game between Flamengo and Benfica in the Maracanã stadium. Fio Maravilha was left out of Flamengo's starting lineup by coach Mário Zagallo, but after a chorus of fans demanded that he play, he was brought in as a substitute. After 33 minutes in the second half he scored the goal ("the goal of an angel") that was immortalized in the song:

...driblou o goleiro

Só não entrou com bola e tudo porque teve humildade.

("...he dribbled past the goalkeeper but did not enter the goal with the ball because he had humility.")

As the result of a legal dispute between Jorge Ben and Fio Maravilha the title of the song was later changed to "Filho maravilha".

Fio Maravilha currently lives in San Francisco, where he works as a pizza deliverer.