Rivelino

Roberto Rivellino (; born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player who was one of the key members of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team.

The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena, Isernia, Rivellino played as an attacking midfielder and was renowned for his iconic moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, vision, close control, dribbling and ability to bend free kicks. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

Rivellino currently works as a pundit for TV Cultura.

Club career Rivellino was born in São Paulo, and started as a futsal player at Clube Atlético Barcelona. After that, he tried his luck with Barcelona's biggest rival, Corinthians, where he moved on to professional football and quickly became a favourite of the fans—and was therefore nicknamed "O Rei do Parque" (King of the Park) (after the club's home ground, Parque São Jorge). However, the late 60s and early 70s were one of the most troubled periods in the history of the club, which did not win a single São Paulo state league title between 1954 and 1977.

In 1974, after Corinthians was defeated by arch-rivals Palmeiras in the São Paulo league finals, as the star player Rivellino was singled out by most fans as one of the most responsible for not winning. He moved on to Rio de Janeiro, where he defended Fluminense until the end of the 1970s. Rivellino was undoubtedly the greatest star in the excellent Fluminense of the mid 70s, dubbed "the tricolor machine", among Doval, Pintinho, Gil and Carlos Alberto Torres. He won the Rio de Janeiro league championship in 1975 and 1976. By the end of the decade, he moved on to play for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia; he retired from professional football in 1981.

International career

Rivellino was a key member of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup winning team, which is often cited as the greatest-ever World Cup team. Wearing the number 11 jersey, Rivellino was deployed on the left side of midfield and scored three goals, including the powerful bending free-kick against Czechoslovakia, which earned him the nickname "Patada Atómica" (Atomic Kick) by Mexican fans. Rivellino also played in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, finishing in fourth and third place respectively.

Style of play quote="He (Sérgio Echigo) says now that he invented it, but I perfected it" — —Rivellino on the "flip flap". He also claimed to have perfected the flip flap, which was later adopted by players including Romário, Mágico González, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. Known for his close control, feints and left-footed ability, Rivellino was named by Diego Maradona as one of his greatest childhood inspirations.

After retirement After his professional retirement, Rivellino started a career as a football commentator and coach (he has managed Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan's J. League). Rivellino further represented Brazil in the 1989 edition of the World Cup of Masters, scoring in the final against Uruguay. Rivellino is sometimes credited with scoring the fastest goal in football history when he supposedly scored a goal direct from the kick-off after noticing the opposition goalkeeper on his knees finishing off pre-match prayers.

Regarding the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in his country, Rivellino criticized the inclusion of the Amazonian city of Manaus with its stadium Arena da Amazônia in the hosting venues, saying "it’s absurd to play in Manaus. You start sweating the moment you leave the locker room".

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rivellino goal.

Managerial

Honours Corinthians Torneio Rio-São Paulo: 1966

Fluminense World Soccer: 38th Greatest Player of the 20th Century CONMEBOL All-Star Team: 1973 Bronze ball South American Footballer of the Year: 1973, 1976 Silver ball South American Footballer of the Year: 1977 FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers: 2004 Premio Golden Foot Award (Football Legend Award): 2005 The Best of The Best – Player of the Century: Top 50 IFFHS Brazilian Player of the 20th Century (12th place) Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame International Football Hall of Fame: 20th place (1997)