Zico

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For other uses, see Zico (disambiguation).
Zico
Personal information
Full nameArthur Antunes Coimbra
Date of birth (1953-03-03) 3 March 1953
Place of birthRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)[1]
Playing positionAttacking midfielder
Youth career
1967–1972Flamengo
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1971–1983Flamengo212(123)
1983–1985Udinese39(22)
1985–1989Flamengo37(12)
1991–1994Kashima Antlers46(35)
Total334(192)
National team
1976–1986Brazil71(48)
Teams managed
1999Kashima Antlers
2000–2002CFZ
2002–2006Japan
2006–2008Fenerbahçe
2008Bunyodkor
2009CSKA Moscow
2009–2010Olympiacos
2011–2012Iraq
2013–2014Al-Gharafa
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [aʁˈtuʁ ɐ̃ˈtũnis koˈĩbɾɐ], born 3 March 1953 in Rio de Janeiro), better known as Zico ([ˈziku]), is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. Often called the "White Pelé", he is commonly considered one of the most skilled finishers and one of the best passers ever, and possibly the world's best player of the late 70's and early 80's.[2] He is also considered one of the best playmakers and free kick specialists, able to bend the ball in all directions with pace. In 1999, Zico came eighth in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote.[3] In 2004, he was named one of the 125 greatest living footballers at a FIFA awards ceremony.[4] According to Pelé, generally considered the best footballer ever, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".[5]

With 48 goals in 71 appearances for Brazil, Zico is the fourth highest goalscorer for his national team.[6] He represented them in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. They did not win any of those tournaments, even though the 1982 squad is considered one of the greatest Brazilian national squads ever.[7] Zico is often considered one of the best players in football history not to have been on a World Cup winning squad. He was chosen 1981[8] and 1983 Player of the Year.

Zico has coached the Japanese national team, appearing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and winning the Asian Cup 2004, and Fenerbahçe, who were a quarter-finalist in 2007–08 in the Champions League under his command. He was announced as the head coach of CSKA Moscow in January 2009. On 16 September 2009, Zico was signed by Greek side Olympiacos for a two-year contract after the club's previous coach, Temuri Ketsbaia, was sacked. He was fired four months later, on 19 January 2010.[9]

Early years

Born in 1953, Zico came from a lower-middle-class family of Portuguese origin, in the neighborhood of Quintino Bocaiúva, Rio de Janeiro. In common with many young Brazilians, he spent much of his youth dreaming of being a professional footballer and cutting classes to play football on the streets. His passion for the sport made him famous in the neighborhood, where people would gather to see the boy's brilliant performances against older children and teenagers. At that time he was playing for Juventude, a local futsal street team ran by his older brothers and friends, and had also begun to play for futsal club River Futebol Clube on Sundays.

In 1967, at 14 years old, he had a scheduled trial at América, where his brothers Antunes[10] and Edu were professional players. But on a Sunday, during a River match, Zico scored 9 goals and caught the attention of radio reporter Celso Garcia, who asked Zico's father to take him to a trial at Flamengo instead. Being a Flamengo fan, Zico had his father's approval, beginning his path towards becoming one of the most admired players in the history of the sport.

Youth career

Zico was not physically strong, and his story of determination and discipline began with a hard muscle and body development program conducted by the physical education teacher José Roberto Francalacci. A combination of hard work and also a special diet sponsored by his team enabled Zico to develop a strong body and become an athlete. This later proved to be essential for his success.[11]

During 1971 and 1972, he shifted from youth to professional team and back. Coach Fleitas Solich had confidence in Zico's abilities and promoted him, on the other hand the situation changed when the Paraguayan coach left and Zagallo took over. He believed Zico to be too young and sent him back to the youth team. Things only improved for Zico when Joubert, his first coach at the youth team, was appointed the new coach for the seniors and fully promoted him after 116 matches and 81 goals in the youth team.

Club career

Flamengo (1971–1983)

While at Flamengo, Zico was a key player during the most glorious period of the team's history. Along with many other titles, in his first period at Flamengo he led the team to victory in the 1981 Copa Libertadores, the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, and four national titles (1980/82/83/87). On the field, Zico made goals in all imaginable ways, was also a great assister and team organizer, and was known for his excellent vision of the field. He was a two-footed player and an expert at free kicks.[7]

Udinese (1983–1985)

After receiving offers from AS Roma and AC Milan, moving to Italy seemed right and a four-million dollar proposal from Udinese Calcio was on the table. Such amount of money made bigger clubs pressure the FIGC that blocked the transfer expecting financial guarantees. This caused a commotion in Udine as enraged Friulians flocked to the streets in protest against the Italian federation and the federal government. Historical reasons would made them shout "O Zico, o Austria!" ("Either Zico or Austria"). At the end of the controversy, the deal went through and though leaving Flamengo fans in sadness, Zico made the bianconeri finally dream of better days.

In the 1983–84 Serie A, his first in Italy, his partnership with Franco Causio promised to take Udinese to a higher level, gaining respect from giants Juventus and AS Roma. His free kicks caused such an impact that TV sports programs would debate how to stop them. Despite his excellent performance, the club's season ended in disappointment as Udinese, in spite of scoring almost twice as many goals as the previous year, only gathered 32 points and was ninth in the final standing, losing three places in comparison to 1982-83. His personal top scoring dispute against Juventus's Michel Platini was exciting – Zico scored 19 goals, one fewer than top scorer Platini, having played 6 fewer matches than the French footballer due to an injury. Plus, he was voted 1983 Player of the Year by World Soccer Magazine.

His following season would be punctuated by injuries and suspensions for openly attacking referees. He also used to complain about the board's lack of ambition for not signing competitive players, which made the team too dependent on him. Furthermore, Italian tax officials pressed charges against him for tax evasion. Pressured, Zico delivered an amazing display against Diego Maradona's Napoli, his last match as a bianconero, and returned to Brazil and Flamengo, sponsored by a group of companies.

Back to Flamengo (1985–1989)

Only one month after returning, he suffered a severe knee injury after a violent tackle from Bangu's defender Marcio Nunes, which interrupted his career for several months. Recovered from injuries, things improved for Zico in 1987 when he led Flamengo to its fourth national title.[12]

December 1989 marks Zico's last official appearance for Flamengo in a Brazilian National Championship match against rivals Fluminense. Zico scored the first goal and Flamengo won the match 5–0.[13]

Two months later, at Maracanã, he would play his last match ever as a Flamengo player facing a World Cup Masters team composed of names like Eric Gerets, Claudio Gentile, Franco Causio, Alberto Tarantini, Jorge Valdano, Mario Kempes, Paul Breitner, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Falcão.[14] With 731 matches for Flamengo, Zico is the player with the 2nd most appearances for the club. His 508 goals make him the club's top scorer ever.

The achievements of the greatest idol in Flamengo's history[15][16] inspired the Brazilian singer Jorge Benjor to write a song in his honour – Camisa 10 da Gávea – helping create the mystique of the club's number 10.

Brief retirement

Zico represented Brazil in the World Cup of Masters, scoring in the final of the 1990 and 1991 editions.

After Brazil's first presidential election in many years, the new president Fernando Collor de Mello appointed Zico as his Minister of Sports. Zico stayed at this political assignment for about a year and his most important contribution was a piece of legislation dealing with the business side of sport teams.

Kashima Antlers (1991–1994)

In 1991, Zico interrupted his political assignment when he accepted an offer to join the Sumitomo Metal Industries Football Club in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, to help the club secure a place in Japan's first fully professional football league that was set to officially launch in 1993 – J. League. Zico played for Sumitomo in 1991-92, the last season before the old Japan Soccer League was disbanded, and finished as the league's top scorer. When the new league launched, the small town club, renamed Kashima Antlers, was not expected to compete with richer, more glamorous clubs like Yokohama Marinos and Verdy Kawasaki. Zico, however, helped the Antlers to win the J.League Suntory Series and a runners-up finish in its inaugural season, leading the club to cement its place among the league's elite.

His discipline, talent and professionalism meshed very well with Japanese culture, and his influence earned him the nickname, "God of Soccer" (サッカーの神様 sakkā no kamisama) from Japanese soccer fans.[17] He became a local legend in Japan for having built a contender from almost nothing and putting the city of Kashima on the map. A statue in his honor stands outside Kashima Soccer Stadium.[18]

International career

An episode related to Brazil National Team almost made Zico give up on his career. He made his international debut in the South American Qualifier to the 1972 Summer Olympics playing 5 matches and scoring the qualifying goal against Argentina. Despite this fact, he wasn't called up to the Munich games. He felt extremely frustrated and told his father in dismay he wanted to stop playing football. He even got absent from training at Flamengo for 10 days, being later convinced otherwise by his brothers.

In the 1978 World Cup against Sweden, Zico headed a corner kick into the goal in the final minute of the match, apparently breaking a 1–1 tie. However, in a call that became infamous, the Welsh referee Clive Thomas disallowed the goal, saying that he had blown the whistle to end the match while the ball was still in the air.[19]

1982 World Cup would see Zico as part of a fantastic squad, side by side with Falcão, Sócrates, Cerezo and Júnior. In spite of his 4 goals and great skills by that squad, the team was defeated by Paolo Rossi and Italy in the second round.

He played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup while still injured, and missed a penalty during regular time in the quarter-final match against France. The match ended in a tie which led to a shootout. Zico then scored his goal, but penalties missed by Sócrates and Júlio César knocked Brazil out.

Having been cleared of all the tax evasion charges by Italian officials in 1988, Zico decided to pay a tribute to Udine, the city that had madly welcomed him six years before, and played his farewell match for the Seleção in March 1989 losing 1–2 to a World All-Stars team at Stadio Friuli.

Retirement

Zico retired from professional football during the 1994 season but received an invitation to play beach soccer, winning the Beach Soccer World Cup 1995. Scoring 12 goals, he was the top scorer and was named the best player of the tournament. He returned to Kashima to become the Antlers' technical adviser in 1995, splitting his time between Japan and Brazil – where he still managed to find time to play beach soccer. One year later, in 1996, he founded CFZ (Zico Football Centre) in Rio de Janeiro. Zico founded another club, named CFZ de Brasília, in 1999.

Career statistics

  • This information is based on Zico's senior career totals.[20]
Club Season Domestic
League		 Domestic
Regional League		 Domestic
Cups1		 Continental
Competitions2		 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Flamengo 1971 15 2 2 0 – – – – 17 2
1972 4 0 2 0 – – – – 6 0
1973 26 8 9 0 – – – – 35 8
1974 19 12 31 20 – – – – 50 32
1975 27 10 28 30 – – – – 55 40
1976 20 14 27 18 – – – – 47 32
1977 18 10 29 27 – – – – 47 37
1978 0 0 22 19 – – – – 22 19
1979 8 5 17 + 26 (43) 26 + 34 (60) – – – – 51 65
1980 19 21 26 19 – – – – 45 40
1981 8 3 33 25 – – 13 11 54 + 13 39
1982 23 21 21 21 – – 4 2 48 44
1983 25 17 – – – – 3 3 28 20
Total 212 123 273 239 – – 20 16 506 378
Udinese 1983–84 24 19 – – 9 5 – – 33 24
1984–85 15 3 – – 5 3 – – 20 6
Total 39 22 – – 14 8 – – 53 30
Flamengo
1985 3 1 3 2 – – – – 6 3
1986 0 0 4 3 – – – – 4 3
1987 12 5 5 1 – – – – 17 6
1988 14 4 6 0 – – – – 20 4
1989 8 2 11 2 7 3 1 0 27 7
Total 37 12 29 8 7 3 1 0 74 23
Sumitomo Metals FC
1991–92 22 21 – – – – – – 22 21
Kashima Antlers
1992 – – – – 12 7 – – 12 7
1993 17 9 – – 7 3 – – 24 12
1994 7 5 – – – – – – 7 5
Total 46 35 – – 19 10 – – 65 45
Career Totals 334 192 302 247 40 21 21 16 697 476

1Domestic Cups include Copa do Brasil, Coppa Italia, J. League Cup and Emperor's Cup
2Continental competitions include Copa Libertadores and Supercopa Sudamericana
3Include Intercontinental Cup

Brazil National Team
(official matches)
YearAppsGoals
197696
197776
1978113
197955
198054
19811210
1982118
198310
198400
198553
198653
Total7148

Honours

Club honours

Flamengo
Kashima Antlers
  • J.League Suntory Series: 1993

International honours

Individual honours

  • 1983
    • World Player of the Year – World Soccer Magazine(England)[31]
  • 1984
    • Second highest scorer of the Italian League – 19 goals
    • Chevron Award (best goal per game ratio in Italian Serie A - 0.79)
    • 3rd Best Player of the Year – World Soccer Magazine (England)[32]
  • 1987
    • Bola de Prata Brazilian Série A All-Star Team
  • 1992
  • 2010
    • 10th Greatest Footballer of All Time – World Soccer Magazine (England)
  • All-Time
    • Top Scorer in Flamengo's history – 508 goals
    • Top Scorer in Maracanã Stadium – 333 goals

Beach soccer

  • Beach Soccer World Championship 1995, 1996
  • American Cup Beach Soccer 1995, 1996
  • 1995 Beach Soccer World Championship Top Scorer – 12 goals
  • 1995 Beach Soccer World Championship Best Player

Coaching career

Japan

After the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Japan Football Association looked for a replacement for the outgoing Philippe Troussier, and chose Zico as his successor. Despite his lack of coaching experience besides his stint as Brazil's technical coordinator during the 1998 World Cup, Zico had great understanding of Japanese soccer from his playing days and his role as Kashima's technical director. In addition, JFA had grown tired of Troussier's clashes with the media while the players were frustrated with his micromanagement. In contrast, Zico commanded respect from reporters and urged players to express themselves on the pitch.[33]

Although Zico attempted to instill a free-flowing, attacking mentality to the team, his regime got off to an uneven start, which included a 4–1 loss to Argentina in 2003. Japan had a respectable showing at that year's Confederations Cup but struggled again in the beginning of 2004, only narrowly beating Oman in the first stage of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and several players were suspended after a drinking incident.[34] Although Japan had not lost in its nine previous matches, he was rumored to be on the verge of resigning and a small group of fans marched in the streets of Tokyo demanding his firing.[35]

He stayed on, however, and won the 2004 Asian Cup despite intimidation from Chinese fans and a team that featured just one European-based player, Shunsuke Nakamura.[36] He then helped Japan qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup with just one loss.

Despite the rocky start, injuries to key players and even a bizarre offer from Garforth Town,[37] Zico has led Japan to its third World Cup finals appearance and the third Asian Cup title in four tries. His Japanese team is heavily influenced by Brazil's short passing style, but he has been flexible enough to switch between 4-4-2 and 3–5–2 formations. In addition, he has had a respectable record on European soil, beating Czech Republic and Greece and drawing with England, Brazil and most recently Germany.

However, Japan failed to win a single match at the Finals, losing twice (to Australia and Brazil) and drawing once (to Croatia), and scoring just two goals while conceding seven. He resigned from Japan at the end of the World Cup campaign.

Fenerbahçe

In July 2006, signed a two-year deal with Fenerbahçe.[38] He won the league title in 2007 and won Turkish Super Cup on the first year of his job. Under his command Fenerbahçe has qualified from UEFA Champions League 2007–08 groups stage for the first time of club's history and beat Sevilla FC to become a quarter-finalist in 2007–08 season. So far, he also is the team's most successful manager in the history of the European arena.

Zico was given a new nickname by Fenerbahçe fans: Kral Arthur (meaning "King Arthur" in Turkish). For the team's nickname King Arthur and his Knights. In a chat hosted by uefa.com he pointed out that it is unlikely he will sign a contract extension with Fenerbahçe. This was confirmed on 10 June 2008 when he resigned as Fenerbahce manager.

On 8 September 2008, Zico revealed that he would be interested taking over the vacant managers position at Newcastle United following the resignation of Kevin Keegan. He is quoted saying "The Newcastle job is one that I would be very interested in taking. It would be a privilege and an honour, I've always wanted to experience the Premier League as I believe I could enjoy much success coaching in England." He also commented that he isn't bothered about the structure of the board at Newcastle United, "I am used to working alongside technical directors so this isn't an issue for me. It's normal for me to work in those conditions."

Bunyodkor, CSKA Moscow, and Olympiakos

Zico in 2009 as manager of PFC CSKA Moscow

In 2008, he coached FC Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, where he won the Uzbekistani Cup and the Uzbek League. He subsequently took over at Russian side CSKA Moscow but was fired on 10 September 2009.

Less than a week later Zico signed a 2-year contract with Olympiacos F.C..[39][40] Despite the absence of numerous first-team players due to injuries, he led the Greek club to a comfortable 2nd place in Group H of the Champions League, earning the qualification to the knockout stage. In the Greek Superleague his first results were also impressive, but the success lasted only till early winter and the fans started to complain about both the results and the playing style of the team.[41] And they were ready to use violence against him (or his team) in order to achieve their ends.[42] Finally on 19 January 2010, after a negative series of 4 matches with just one win, though his team lost only two times (twelve wins and four draws) in the Greek Superleague, Zico was sacked.[43]

Iraq

He signed a contract with Iraq Football Federation on 28 August 2011 and first managed the national team in a match against Jordan on 2 September 2011. Zico resigned as coach of the Iraqi national team on 27 November 2012 after little more than a year in the post, saying the country’s football association had failed to fulfill the terms of his contract. He had 10 wins and six draws in 21 games with Iraq.

Al-Gharafa

On 6 August 2013, he signed a two-year deal to coach, Al-Gharafa. [44]

Honours

Japan Japan
  • Asian Cup: 2004
Fenerbahçe Turkey
Bunyodkor Uzbekistan
CSKA Moscow Russia

Administrative roles

On 30 May 2010, it was announced that Zico would become the new Flamengo's football director on a four-year deal, coming back to the team where he won his most important honors after 25 years. This comeback, however, lasted only five months as he resigned due to disagreements with the board.

Personal life

Zico is the grandson of Fernando Antunes Coimbra (paternal grandfather) and Arthur Ferreira da Costa Silva (maternal grandfather), both Portuguese. His father, José Antunes Coimbra, also Portuguese (b. Tondela, 1901; d. Rio de Janeiro, 1986), came to Brazil at age of 10. Zico's mother, Matilde Ferreira da Silva Costa, was born in 1919.

Zico was the youngest of six children—Maria José (Zezé), Antunes, Nando, Edu and Antônio (Tonico).

In 1975 he married Sandra Carvalho de Sá, whose sister, Sueli, is Edu's wife. Zico has three sons, Arthur Jr., Bruno, and Thiago.[45] He is also a member of the legendary squad Classic Eleven from the FIFA video games series.

References

  1. ↑ "Biography for Zico". 
  2. ↑ John Brewin (23 April 2002). "World Cup 1982 (Spain)". Soccernet. Retrieved 3 July 2006. 
  3. ↑ "FIFA Player of the Century" (PDF). touri.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Pele's list of the greatest". BBC Sport. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 15 June 2013. 
  5. ↑ Oswaldo Tinhorão
  6. ↑ Ricardo Pontes. "Arthur Antunes Coimbra "Zico" - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 2013-09-15. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Daniel Pearl (3 April 2006). "No flair please, he's Brazilian". London: BBC. Retrieved 3 July 2006. 
  8. ↑ Brasileño Zico--futbolista del año
  9. ↑ "Olympiacos sack Zico after four months in charge". ESPN (ESPN). 19 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010. 
  10. ↑ http://www.ziconarede.com.br/znrpub/historia/pt_hist_memfut.php?cod=17
  11. ↑ [http://www.ziconarede.com.br/znrpub/historia/ig_hist_idolo.htm#Do%20Juventude%20ao%20Flamengo. "From Quintino's Juventude to Flamengo"]. 
  12. ↑ "Zico conquers The World". 
  13. ↑ http://www.flaestatistica.com/t1989.htm (See match 62: C.R. Flamengo 5 x 0 Fluminense (RJ))
  14. ↑ [http://www.ziconarede.com.br/znrpub/historia/ig_hist_evehist.htm#maracana%2090. "Maracanã 90: Almost a goodbye"]. 
  15. ↑ (Portuguese) [http://esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/selecaobrasileira/jogadores/idolos/zico.jhtm. "Zico: Profile"]. 
  16. ↑ (Portuguese) "Zico – 50 years". 
  17. ↑ (German) Matthias Greulich (22 June 2006). "The savior ventures more democracy". Der Spiegel. 
  18. ↑ Dominic Raynor (24 May 2006). "Rising sons with higher hopes". Soccernet. 
  19. ↑ "Zico – Legends of the Football World Cup". Retrieved 23 June 2006. 
  20. ↑ According to data from rsssf.com, ziconarede.com and flaestatistica.com
  21. ↑ Record of goals for Flamengo in a single season Site. Zico na rede - Flamengo 1974
  22. ↑ Record of goals for Flamengo in a single season and scorer of Brazil in the year Site. Zico na rede - Flamengo 1976
  23. ↑ Brazil's top scorer this season Site. Zico na rede - 1977
  24. ↑ Record of goals for Flamengo in a single season and scorer of Brazil Site. Zico na rede - Flamengo 1979
  25. ↑ Brazil's top scorer this season Site. Zico na rede - 1980
  26. ↑ ABC MADRID Madrid, December 23, 1980
  27. ↑ Jurado eligió al brasileño Zico como futbolista del año, por delante de Maradona, Rummenigge, Kalíz, Blokhine, Krol, Júnior y Breitner ABC - Madrid, December 19, 1981
  28. ↑ Brazil's top scorer this season Site. Zico na rede - 1982
  29. ↑ FIFA XI - 1979, 1982 - www.rsssf.com - FIFA XI
  30. ↑ World Soccer Footballer of the Year 1982
  31. ↑ World Soccer Footballer of the Year 1983
  32. ↑ World Soccer Footballer of the Year 1984
  33. ↑ "Japan look to Zico". 2002 FIFA World Cup. 1 August 2002. 
  34. ↑ "Japanese players dropped over alleged drinking incident". Associated Press. 19 March 2004. 
  35. ↑ "Under-fire Zico gets boost from supporters". Agence France-Presse. 6 March 2004. 
  36. ↑ "Hand of Nakata gives Japan Asian Cup victory". Agence France-Presse. 7 August 2004. 
  37. ↑ "Samba stars to join Garforth Town". London: BBC. 27 October 2004. Retrieved 29 October 2005. 
  38. ↑ "Fenerbahçe sign Zico as coach". Reuters. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 4 July 2006. 
  39. ↑ "Zico takes charge at Olympiacos". UEFA (uefa.com). 16 September 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009. 
  40. ↑ "Brazilian Zico appointed as Olympiakos coach". ESPN (ESPN). 16 September 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009. 
  41. ↑ Olympiakos Piräus trennt sich von Trainer Zico
  42. ↑ "Zico says he is disappointed with life as coach". USA Today. 20 January 2010. 
  43. ↑ http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3939
  44. ↑ http://www.gulf-times.com/sport/192/details/362027/gharafa-sign-zico-in-two-year-deal
  45. ↑ http://www.ziconarede.com.br/znrpub/historia/pt_hist_lt.htm

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