They called Zico the White Pelé, which is a heavy nickname to carry. He carried it. In the 1980s he was the most gifted playmaker Brazil had, a No. 10 with a magic right foot, deadly free kicks and passes that pulled defences apart.
Flamengo's year
In 1981 he took Flamengo to the top of the world. They won the Copa Libertadores and then the Intercontinental Cup, beating Liverpool 3-0 in Tokyo. For Flamengo fans he is the greatest, full stop, and the club's all-time top scorer, reportedly with more than 500 goals.
The international story is harder:
- Three World Cups with Brazil, in 1978, 1982 and 1986
- A key role in the much-loved 1982 side
- No winner's medal at any of them
Many people call him the best player never to win the World Cup. That says more about football's cruelty than about his ability.
His free kicks remain some of the most feared in history, and his dead-ball technique is still studied. Later he became a founding star of Japan's J.League with Kashima Antlers, and he coached Japan at the 2006 World Cup.
Goals, assists, free kicks and elegance: he had the lot. For much of the world he is the definitive Brazilian No. 10 of his generation.
Tomorrow: number 6.
