Branco (footballer)

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Branco
Personal information
Full name Cláudio Ibrahim Vaz Leal
Date of birth April 4, 1964 (1964-04-04) (age 44)
Place of birth    Bagé, Brazil
Playing position Left Back (retired)
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





35 (9)

09 (0)
11 (1)   
National team
1985-1994 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 former Brazilian footballer who played as a left back. A member of the triumphant Brazillian team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Branco was a renowned free kick specialist (as was his international successor, Roberto Carlos) know for the habit of placing the valve of the ball in the direction that he wanted the free kick to go.

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 with 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 was the general manager overseeing Brazil national youth teams.

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

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Brazil squad - 1986 FIFA World Cup
1 Carlos • 2 Édson • 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
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Brazil squad - 1990 FIFA World Cup
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
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Brazil squad - 1994 FIFA World Cup Winners (4th Title)
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
 Flag of Brazil