Zico the new hero of Brazilian fans

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 17

Zico the new hero of Brazilian fans

WORLD CUP Countdown

“Zico, Zico” the fans roar in the big soccer stadiums of Brazil as their new touslehaired hero darts through for his club, Flamengo, to thunder the ball into the net.

He is one of the many aces in Brazil’s pack that has made it the top attraction for Spam in the World Cup finals in June.

Allhough this man who turned Liverpool over in the World Club Cup in Tokyo last December is the .major drawcard, he is far from being the only reason that bookmakers have made the three-times winner Brazil favourite to take the World Cup again. Backing the man some call the White Pele — Zico hates that title, saying there was and only will be one Pele — are midfield ball artists such

as Cerezo and Socrates. These two are sought by rich European teams, but they are for the moment spurning the overtures and staying loyal to their clubs in Brazil. So, too, is Zico, whose club president said recently, “No other club has the power, authority or resources to look after Zico the way we can.” . The player himself says he would be happy to stay with Flamengo after his contract expires next year; he is said to earn SUS2O,UOO a month. So the Brazil coach, Tele Sanata, has a fine strike force with Zico, Remaldo and Palo Isidoro as the main goalgetters. But it is not only in attack that the Brazilians shine. They - have in , Zico s

Flamengo club-mate, Junior, one of the best left backs in the world - the greatest

since the famous Nilton Santos. ‘ • Junior was switched there from midfield by former

coach, Claudio Countinho, who was drowned in an aquatic accident off Rio de Janeiro last year.

A talented all-round player, quick both in the tackle and on the recovery, Junior says of Zico, “He’s the

most creative player I’ve seen since Pele.” Zico puts down his success to one factor. “The most important thing for anyone playing professional football is to maintain a love for the game. After that comes all the hard work you put in. to improve your technique.” He certainly does not skimp in that respect. Zico puts great emphasis on team work. It does not seem to matter what team Sanata puts out, it still has more than enough talent to shake national teams from the rest of the world. Brazil proved that by beating England, West- Germany and France on its most recent tour of Europe. 1 Even so Sanata has not been taking things for He was spying on

Kussia when- it played in Spain and also ran the rule over Scotland when it met Spain. With an experienced nucleus ranging from the goal-keeper Valdir Peres, via Toniho to Zico and Roberto Falcao — who might not yet win a regular place in the side — Brazil will give the opposition plenty th think about. It should certainly survive in Group Six, much to the. discomfort of the Soviet Union, Scotland and the last-gap qualifier, New Zealand. There is so much talent in Brazil, which stems from natural football-skill.

From the days when they are out of the toddler stages the boys start kicking a tin. ball or rolled-up rag around in the back streets.