Grzegorz Lato

On April 8, 1950 was born in Malbork , a city of the Polish region of Żuławy , a child who was named Grzegorz Bolesław Lato .At the age of twelve he entered the Stal Mielec and his debut with the first team he was sixteen. Seven years later , in 1973 , this modest team, led by a young Lato , who was the top scorer with thirteen goals, won the Ekstraklasa .

In 1975, he was again the top scorer with 19 goals , although his club could not win the title .Poland, which had been defeated by Wales in Cardiff during qualifying for the 1974 World Cup is going to play their World Cup ticket nothing more and nothing less than against Alf Ramsey 's England at Wembley. The always controversial statements coach Brian Clough saying that Lato was a bald marathon , that , more than a good footballer , Gorgoń center seemed a bad fighter, and the goalkeeper Tomaszewski was a circus clown, spurred Poles, not entered the British game technician.England needed victory. In Poland it was enough to not lose. The match was a constant siege of
England. Amid the burden ten minutes into the second half , Lato recovered a ball , the band toured and gave a pass to Domarski that , upon entering the area, and fired it past Peter Shilton . England continued to attack relentlessly . 63 minutes , English Alan Clarke masterfully threw a penalty against Tomaszewski it past that .Before the meeting, all presaged that Poland would fit a cruel thrashing , but the end result was a tie. Jan Tomaszewski , with gloves painter who had given his father , it was absolutely stopped everything ( except the penalty ) , and the invaluable work of their colleagues had qualified to Poland for the finals of the World Cup that was to hold eight months later in West Germany.In Germany 74, Poland finished third, and Brian Clough , who had just signed for Leeds United, had to watch as Lato - top scorer with seven goals , and Tomaszewski were included in the dream team of the tournament.In the 1975-1976 season, the Stal Mielec , which had been eliminated by the Hamburg quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup , again won the league.Lato , who was Olympic champion in Munich 72, won the silver medal at the Olympic Games Montreal 76 .The following season, 76/77 , Stal Mielec and Real Madrid met in the knockout phase of the Champions League . Mielec , the Poles lost 1-2 and the second leg , played at the stadium in Valencia by Luis Casanova sanction the white club after attempted assault of 'Loco Bernabeu ' in the first leg of the semifinals disputed the previous season with Bayern , Real Madrid won 1-0 .Poland was eliminated in the second phase of the World Argentina 78 in a group he shared with Peru , Brazil and Argentina , which would be the new world champion . Lato not shine as in the previous World Cup but scored twice .The Malbork played most of his career ( 1966 to 1980) in the Stal Mielec, where he played 295 games and scored 117 goals .In 1980 , he received an attractive offer to play for New York Cosmos , but he

refused and joined Lokeren Belgium where he played for two seasons.Spain in World 82 , accompanied by great players like Boniek , who was third top scorer , and Smolarek , Lato repeated the feat he had achieved eight years before getting another third after 3-2 eliminate France, which , Platini led by the brilliant , had made a spectacular tournament.After a stint in Belgium, went to Mexico to play two seasons at Atlante , where he scored 16 goals in 45 matches.In 1984 , he played his last game as an international match against Belgium , leaving a balance of 45 goals in 100 matches.

The end burned his last rounds in Poland Hamilton, an amateur team based in Ontario , Canada, where he played from 1984 to 1991.Besides the North York Rockets ( Canadian League ) , Olimpia Poznań, Amica Wronki and Widzew Łódź , Lato also trained her beloved Stal Mielec in two stages , the last in the 1996/ 97 season.Between 2001 and 2005 , as a member of the Alliance of the Democratic Left, he was senator of Poland.In October 2008 he was elected president of the Polish Football Association , PZPN .Grzegorz Lato was an extreme fast - is said to be running the 100 meters in 10.2 seconds , and scorer ; a team player who , as Clough himself could see, led to the most successful generation in history of Polish football .

Eusébio

Bauer , the great Brazilian defender 50s , saw him play during a visit to Mozambique and immediately contacted his friend Bela Guttman , former coach of Benfica . Bauer had discovered the Mozambican Eusébio da Silva Ferreira .He immediately realized the potential of this young man and knew Guttman convince the boy that was a phenomenon . Benfica began the process and within days the young genius of seventeen who belonged to the Sporting Club of Lourenço Marques, stamped his signature on a contract . Problems arose almost immediately.Sporting Lisbon , Benfica 's biggest rival , had an agreement with the Lourenço Marques gave him option on their players. Benfica , knowing the situation , Eusébio led to Portugal , where he remained hidden while subsiding sport storm occurred when the Sporting discovered that they had removed their star .All that for a 17 years. But Benfica knew I had found gold. Benfica had just won the European Cup in the same year against FC Barcelona (1961 ) and the arrival of Eusébio became the best team in Europe.That year I had to prove in the final of the European Cup in 1962 against Real

Madrid of Di Stéfano , who had won five European Cups. In that game , one of the best finals in the history of the European Cup , Benfica beat Madrid 5-3 with two goals from Eusébio .Thanks to that game gave its name around the world and Eusébio became one of the biggest football stars . He was compared to Pele , which gives an idea of ​​its quality, but it was a different player .Eusebio was technically perfect and unlike Pele, physically it was a bull. Their firepower was enormous , the kind that leaves viewers in awe , completely ambidextrous and extremely agile, Eusébio was a predator in the area. Throughout his career at Benfica get 46 goals in Europe, only Di Stéfano scored more than him (49).

Like all great players , Eusébio had his appointment with the global fans. In his case at the 1966 World Cup in England . Portugal eliminated Czechoslovakia , runners world in Chile, and later Bulgaria and Hungary , two world powers at the time.Then came the Brazil of Pelé , reigning world champion . Portugal knocked out first since Pele Brazil after thanks to goals from Eusebio and criminal defense of Portugal . The next game became a legend Eusébio . Portugal lost to North Korea 3-0 . The game ended 5-3 to Portugal thanks to four goals from Eusebio . Portugal would fall in the semifinals against future champions but won the third place , the highest

ranking in the history of the Lusitanian country. Besides the Golden Boot as top scorer would take 9 of 66 World Cup goals .The black panther was at the height of his career and at the height of his fame. Of the 15 years he spent in the Portuguese Benfica only twice the club did not win a title. In total, there were 13 Portuguese League 5 Cups , 1 European Cup, as well as individual awards such as the Golden Ball in 1965 as the best European player of the year , and more than 1,000 goals in his career .Bauer was right. All those problems were worthwhile .

Eurico Lara

 Dyng for Grêmio

The history of Eurico Lara , born February 24, 1897 , is one of the most spectacular of which have occurred in Brazil , and this says a lot considering this country actually one of the most tradition has around football. His life , related in equal proportions to the Guild as the army of his nation , encourage a legend , now lives on the club anthem .Born in the city of Uruguaiana , this man knew football and became a fan of it when it began to dispute meetings defending the local army team, his first passion . At that time , chronic in Porto Alegre , the nearest major Brazilian city , spoke of the prodigious archer , which constantly saved a whole defeats thanks to large interventions.Guild leaders did not take long to hear the comments of those who had seen "in situ" Lara , and so sent a scout to Uruguaiana for that captured his own impressions , and give them approval for recruitment. However, after this person surprise with their performances, Eurico also surprised to advise you that you had no interest in moving from his town to play the Guild.However, neither slow nor lazy , the high command of the Guild managed with peers Brazilian army Lara to be traded to defend their troops to Porto Alegre , and then convince him to join the club. Although the story that at first agreed to enter the computer apparently said that was not the keeper, but it was because the army no one else wanted to tackle . Finally , was persuaded to become , and there his life would change significantly .While levels rose within the army , Lara became an indisputable part of the team

of Gremio , coming to get , eventually , the City Championships Porto Alegre the years 1920, 1921 , 1922 , 1923 , 1925 , 1926 , 1930 , 1931 , 1932 , 1933 and 1935 ; Tournaments and " Gauchos " , 1921, 1922 , 1926 and 1931.During that time , his reputation as a goalkeeper in the center of Brazil was growing rapidly , especially with it helped his performance in a meeting of 1922 , on the " Preparatory Tournament " between gaucho representative and one of São Paulo , which the first won by 4-2 , being much lower in previous papers. The audience devoted man of the match , entering thousands of people onto the pitch with the sole purpose of congratulations.The amazing case , is that although it was assumed that these two combined form the basis of the Brazilian team that would dispute the following continental tournaments , Lara was never called to represent his country on a football field, when even Arthur Friedenrich for some the highest scorer in the history of Brazilian football , said at the time that it was the best in his position .In 1930 , he joined the revolutionary forces in his country who wrote one of the most important pages in the history of Brazil , to help by a coup to the assumption of Getúlio Vargas as president , a position which held at that time for 15 years .In September 1935 , when it was all sporting glory of his country, and even Lieutenant in the Army, he diagnosed tuberculosis , and doctors told him that , at 38 years , it prudent to leave the sport , and his lungs were very weak. The only issue at the hearing was the classic " Gre - nal " that should play against Inter de Porto Alegre a week later , and did not miss it for the world.The appointment was not only important because it is the predominant classic in the region, but in 1935 had added that meet 100 years of " Farroupilha Revolution" extremely important for southern Brazil . Also, Gremio came second, only one point behind Inter and win the title should defeat since a draw so disfavoured .Supporters of the team , some of whom even asked him not to play Lara to preserve his health , that day witnessed one of the greatest displays of a player with the jersey of the Guild. Eurico was the great figure of the first stage , but never came to dispute the second.Decompensation at halftime and had to be assisted in the stadium , where the ED moved it to the " Beneficência Portuguese" Hospital, and although they managed to stabilize it , never go out of there. On 6 November , and after two months of fighting the disease, died one of the greatest footballers that Brazil had so far.His funeral was attended by thousands of fans , not just the Guild but Inter , who surrendered before the delivery of a man who sacrificed even the last of his life to help his team on the court .However, the attitude of Lara would not be in vain, as well as winning the match for Gremio 2-0 when Lupicínio Rodrigues Brazilian artist was commissioned to write the words to the Guild in 1953 , half a century met its foundation , it included the name of the main character in the verse that says " Lara, or Craque Imortal , / Soube or raise seu nome . / Hoje , or perfect mesmo com , / Nós saberemos honor you . " He is the only player named in the club anthem First in Brazil.The interesting thing is also that, as very few people alive have seen play Lara , the amount of circulating legends about its name are endless , but some of them are of historical support that guarantee , and its name has been recorded in the history of Porto Alegre , a city that has so named one of its streets .For example , Salim Nigri , one of the most characteristic of the Guild, and who saw action at Eurico , " twisters " told some of the stories and snippets of life of Lara, as the first meeting with his coach Gremio , when clarified that archer was not really .Another version is that contained disputing a match for the Brazilian Championship , Lara reached both arms injured in a clash with a rival, but continued to play for his intention not to leave his team a man short .Finally , one of the legends told that Lara was dead in the middle of that dispute " Grenal Farroupilha " after stopping a penalty to one of his brothers , who played with the shirt of Inter de Porto Alegre. The tradition was then discarded because they are records of his death two months later in the local hospital , and no data of any of his brothers playing in the opponent's life.

Héctor Scarone

Almost half a century before Pele - Rivelinno defenses go crazy all the world, and Petrone Scarone Uruguayans fleeing opponents with passes first between the two , played christened as ' wall ' . The level of technique and imagination Scarone earned him the nickname " The Wizard " . Zamora described him as " the symbol of football" ; Meazza said of him that "it was the most fantastic player " who had the opportunity to see .
It was the beginning of the twentieth century and Scarone entreveraba in pachangas of vacant land next to the Chapel of Arroyo Seco , Uruguay . On breaks amused by passing the ball through a hole in a fence (not more than 60 inches in diameter). With only 15 years old , the young Hector was to prove to the club he loves , the National Football Club . However , after several tests , they decided not to incorporate his scrawny physique . Many hours of gym and sacrifice then charged again , this time successfully . He joined the second team , after five games as a reserve , he made ​​the leap to the big national . 1917 and ran Scarone was 19.
Was already contained another striker nicknamed " The blade " Carlos Scarone , elder brother of Hector at the National . Your family status led to , in the beginning, the newcomer was called "The rasquetita " . The Scarone brothers came to play together almost ten years in the tricolor computer, winning six league together , plus the America of 1917 Cup. But time overshadowed the figure of Carlos at the Hector , after the withdrawal of his brother scored Uruguayan League 's other three America's Cups , two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup, becoming the best player of his time.
Ahead of his time

Inside or right handed playmaker , was unpredictable because you never knew which side was going to escape. Was infallible ball stop , and had a huge catalog of turns . Despite his short stature (1.72 m), was a superb pitching, since I knew rise in due course , descolocando your bookmarks . According account Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano , "I knew to expect the ball suspended in violation of the law of gravity." He was also an advance in its egocentric . The press of the time nicknamed him " The Borelli " prima donna of the time, due to its unpredictable and capricious reactions.
His record in the selection started in 1917 , when it became the first Copa America game official . In the final in Montevideo, Scarone , at age 19 , scored with a superb header the only goal of the final with that heavenly defeated arch-rivals Argentina . Then came another four Copa America for Uruguay , and 13 points placed him among the top five scorers in the old historic tournament. It is also the player who made ​​the most goals in a single game of the Cup, scoring five of the six who endorsed him to Uruguay Bolivia in 1926 edition .
On the occasion of the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924 , the Uruguayan made ​​a combined tour after nine games without losing any . During the Games, Uruguay won all their games by at least three goals . The best player , and fourth scorer with five goals , was Scarone , which was his first international cameo and earned him worldwide recognition . By winning this end, the Uruguayan group decided to greet the public of the steps that had been amazed with selected South American stranger . To do this , players got a lap around the field waving to all grandstands . It was the first " victory lap " of history.
Four years later , Uruguay returned to the Olympics , this time in Amsterdam. Again swept up to a ' River Plate ' end. The first half ended with Uruguay and Argentina tied to one. Broke the deadlock 20 minutes into the second half when Tito Borjas makes a dodge, passed Scarone and shouted : "Yours, Hector " . Scarone got the ball and scored the goal that gave the second Olympic gold Uruguay . That sentence was impregnated in Uruguayan society and is still used today when someone passes a final responsibility to another .
The First World

The triumphant circle was completed in 1930, when he organized his first FIFA World Cup and also in Uruguay. Scarone was no longer the same player ten years ago. But not so out of tune again to Argentina , Uruguay beat 4-2 in the end to be consecrated as the first world champion.
After the gold of Paris in 1924 , returned to Nacional Scarone , making a tour of Europe a year later. In April 1925, National and Barcelona clashed in Las Corts , in front of 50,000 spectators. Barca was a first class opponent and went 2-0 with goals from another magician , Samitier . However the Uruguayan group equalized with goals from Urdinarán and Scarone .
So good was the image left , in 1926 , after raising seven leagues Nacional, Barcelona decided to sign him , in what was considered at the time as the first major international procurement by the Catalan club .However, despite winning a Cup and Championship of Catalonia , "The Wizard " could not succeed in Spain . Some versions attributed his brief spell at Barcelona Josep Samitier, Barca great figure, who is accused of failing to provide balls. However, both denied it .
According to legend , a millionaire Scarone refused to continue in Barcelona, ​​with the intention of playing the 1928 Olympics contract. At that time they could only participate in amateur sports games , and the contract offered was professional. "I thought in my country in the Olympics soon to come and that he should wear the blue shirt . Thought National , my heart club , and decided not to sign ," said Scarone . Such decisions won the heart of the Uruguayan fans.
With dozens of titles in tow , including a World Cup , he undertook another trip to Europe. This time it was Italy, where in 1932 he joined Inter Milan , the team that spent a year and then play in Palermo. Again, despite play over 50 games and scoring 20 goals , his European tour led to no great success and in 1934 returned to his beloved National , where he earned his eighth league. He remained there until 1939, when at age 41 he decided to retire playing in the Montevideo Wanderers , mid-table team in the Uruguayan First Division . Despite his professional retirement, continued pouring his talent until 1950 categories of veterans, and more than half a century behind .
After his retirement , like many others, went to the bench and became coach. He went to Millonarios of Bogota, Argentine Di Stefano and Pederson ; Real Madrid , replacing the English Keeping the early fifties ; and his beloved club , Nacional, later becoming partner institution , shoot at goal teaching new players .
Mailman profession
Interestingly , like football at that time was different from today , despite its hard to beat wins, Scarone never left her job at the Courier Montevideo, where he worked as a postman until retirement . One worker, like any human being of flesh and blood . In his parting words against the coffin in the cemetery , the captain of all the teams , José Nasazzi , said : "We were young , we were winning , we were together , we thought we were indestructible." After his death , one of the tribunes of Central Park ( National Stadium ) was renamed Hector Scarone , the ' magician ' charrúa that marked an era .

Rivellino

For his father , Mr. Nicola , classic traveling salesman, Roberto played for Palmeiras , the club of the feelings of the Italian colony . But the young man who had been there on the side of Antarctica Park because it was also the team of his heart, had not passed the test in 1962. For in the Parque São Jorge give a "show ball " and be approved by the Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Then, when the manager relate to the top of the train asked the name and our future star, and decisive and firm word : Roberto Rivellino with two " L's " but my name in futsal is Maloca , I was born here in São Paulo , capital, the first in January 1946 and am the son of ...From the year 63, the most sensible twisters soon came to the stadium to see the camper , lefty and robust in its applicants Corinthians medium. He inherited futsal optimum ball control and ability to dribble in small spaces . It was even said that he would , Rivellino , the new crack that would lead back to the titles, since from 1954 , he resisted Timão of the state capital. At the time , the idols of the recurring memory of twisted Baltazar remained faithful , and Cláudio Luizinho plus Gilmar , who as porters is not synonymous with glory and was angry that the Corinthians . Nor none of them were of the quarry.Roberto Rivellino was both a left end as a midfield creator with a masterful pass. Also he was promptly gave good elastic dribble and powerful and precise shot . Their football was such that , at age 19 , it was released in black and white professional team and , immediately, the hobby corintiana won . In the same year 1965 , on November 16 , Rivellino made ​​his debut in Brazil , this time represented by the Corinthians , ahead of Arsenal in London. And five days later, in the authentic Brazilian team , beating Hungary in the Pacaembu stadium . In 1966 , already known as the Little King Park- Pele - era world , won his only title to the Corinthians : the Rio- São Paulo tournament sharing with Botafogo , Vasco da Gama and Santos .Over time, Riva, as he was a virtuoso puller confirm faults , but always refused to throw penalties , which made only five times in his career . He returned to the team in 1968 alone , to switch in midfield or on the left wing . That year , in addition to claim the Oswaldo Cruz Cup , November 6 , against Chile, " Reizinho " acted with the country selection against FIFA , even scoring a goal Soviet Yashin , the greatest goalkeeper in the history of football. And this reflection is then mentioned the German Beckenbauer : " I came to see Pelé , but ended up

watching Rivellino " . Then , on playmakers , Brazil enjoyed a lot , and despite tough competition, Riva did an excellent game in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup . Climbing it became a nightmare for both opponents to the selectors national , João Saldanha and Zagallo , besides Gerson, lefty gold, Ademir da Guia, Dirceu Lopes Paulo César Caju or disposal.Both the height of Rivellino was that 1970 World Cup in Mexico . He unseated Zagallo in the left corner ,

played five of the six games in Brazil , scoring 3 goals , two of which won him the Mexican name "Atomic Kick " . For his notable performances was ranked in the starting ideal of specialized and remembered as one of the cracks of the World of great significance to the Brazilian press.But in São Paulo , Corinthians was waiting to exit the row without paulistas titles . And its value grew. The now deceased and folk club president Vicente Mateus , among other nonsense , I hinted that boycotted the Timão . At that time , the " Reizinho " complied with both the club and the team gaining her the titles of the Rock Cup against Argentina , in 1971 and the Copa de la Independencia 1972. Pelé outside the selection , there was even inherited the No 10 shirt and had become a national idol. So he went to the 1974 World Cup in Germany which made ​​good performances, he usually saved from the burning of a disappointing Brazil . On his return , having lost the final of the Paulista Championship against Palmeiras , President Vicente Mateus blamed the defeat . There Riva, explosive temper , demanded his departure . At that time, no one from the club remembered what Roberto Rivellino said on his return from the World 70 , Jules Rimet Cup under his arm : " and change all this glory with one title with Corinthians Paulista champion ."For its new sports management was already in Laranjeiras , Rio de Janeiro ,

where Fluminense arming a super team with Carlos Alberto Torres , Argentine and Riva own Doval , former Boy Park. That machine , was recognized as the tricolor carioca team was state champion Rio in 1975 and then repeated in 76 . Rivellino The year also win the Cup for Brazil Oswaldo Cruz , Rock, Rio Branco , Atlântico and the tournament 's bicentennial U.S. . Then, having qualified for the World Cup 78 Brazil , Argentina came in injured and could only play three games , winning third place in the tournament. In this World Cup, beating Italy on June 24 , Rivellino goodbye to the national team where he played 94 official matches , scoring 26 goals in ten years. Much less than the 165 that had marked the Corinthians or the 53 he did with Fluminense in 158 games.When he returned from World , realizing that he had not made ​​money with

football, the left half of Flu packed up and went to play in Saudi Arabia, in the Helai . There, in addition to take the Cup the first year, was also national champion in 1980 and 81. And angry with Prince honcho of the Arab team , he returned to Brazil at the end of 81 to play in São Paulo , but a problem bureaucratic with his pass took so that , at age 35 , he decided to give up professional football , displaying great health behind a respectable mustache.It is when a genius of world football future was revealed as one of his fans.

Diego Armando Maradona convinced said : "It was on me I looked Rivellino to play " and later : "Until today, I have in my mind the perfect dribbling , precise passing and shooting indefensible ." Better yet : the " Reizinho " Didi found that , Monsieur Folha Seca , citing it as one of the ablest cracks had ever seen. So bathed in good memories, the crack would create in the state capital a few football schools and without much brightness was also television sportscaster . While in the loving plan , Unmarried and married a few times , having children and grandchildren. And in 2004 , no hard feelings from the past, with its responsibility and conscience of duty , Roberto Rivellino took a while Corinthians sports management , and AFAIK and left him with success.

Valderrama

From lush, curly blond hair , white skin of Caribbean and few words. The Carlos Valderrama , best Colombian footballer of all time , still in love with the ball and with little desire to take her back 10 .The Kid (el pibe), as he just knows football  enrolled his name and style of play in the most brilliant period of the coffee football. The nineties will remember him as one captain with a slow and safe pace was able to circumvent the tactic with the precision of magic. "El Flaco" Menotti , a coffee chat and cigarette described Valderrama, one of his favorite in the field as " a magician of intelligence ,

who knows the location of peers and almost without looking at them in a shot as with the hand. "Francisco Pacho Maturana, who directed him in the World Cup in Italy 90 and U.S. 94, and briefly at Real Valladolid of Spain , in 1991 , remembers him as " the brain of the Colombian national team ." " Just have him on the field and Colombia won 1-0 in mood and felt that rival in the field ," said Fred. Not surprisingly, Valderrama was considered the best player in America in 1987 and 1993 , and his performances in Italia 90 , USA 94 and France 98, his last World Cup and under the tutelage of Hernán Darío Bun Gomez always appeared in the gallery of the stars." For a footballer World is the ultimate , it's like the 15th birthday party for a lady or a professional degree to That's the World for me . A celebration of the best players and teams in the world ," Valderrama said in a interview. But the story of Kid, that he began writing in the hot dusty tennis Pescaíto his home neighborhood in Santa Marta ( Caribbean coast ) , also has interesting chapters and other successful very discreet in the ten clubs he has played : Five from Colombia , one from France , one from Spain and three from the United States. Local Union Magdalena , where he took his first steps as a professional , Millonarios Bogota Deportivo Cali , where he rose to stardom in the eighties , Independiente Medellín and Junior of Barranquilla, with whom he won national titles in 1993 and 1995 , enjoyed light Valderrama.So did the Montpellier of France between 1988 and 1991, where he had chosen , among others, by the world champion Laurent Blanc and the legendary Roger Milla. But the stone in the shoe was Real Valladolid, where alongside their compatriots René Higuita and Leonel Alvarez suffered the bitterness of rejection of a football and did not open the doors.It was in the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS ) in the United States where he outlined his finishing touches , which also drew when he defended the colors of the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny , his first club in the American League ." I was taken to help bring football to the United States and I think I've met ," he told his arrival in Colombia . But Valderrama will not surrender : "I would be the Colombian national team coach road ahead There's a lot there to learn, but to know directions patience .

Obdulio Varela

Obdulio Varela symbol of " Garra Charrua " and mastermind of the Maracana in 1950. Legend in peñarol. Who for many represents the caudillo of Uruguayan football , was born on September 20- 1917 at Curves Industries , Montevideo . He began his career in the team Pascual Somma and then moved to Deportivo Juventud in 1936 for signing a year later with the Wanderers of the Uruguayan first division tournament. In Wanderers played until 1943 , when he was transferred to Peñarol of Montevideo , where he retired in 1955. Nicknamed "negro jefe" (black boss) for their fur something mulatto , had a great influence over his teammates . He played flywheel but his fighting spirit was such that he could defend as well go on the attack without drawbacks. He had a good ball skills and knew distribute the game intelligently , seeking stinging attack when least expected the opposite assembly sector. By his spirit and caudillesca figure, which was magnified when things were worse , Varela was all-court player . A driver who had wanted to have any technical on your computer. With Peñarol was champion in 1944 , '45 , '49 , '51 , '53 and '54 .The " Maracana " took place on July 16, 1950 , at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro , where about 200 thousand Brazilian fans celebrating the first and only goal for Brazil in that memorable World Cup final . Then Obdulio , parsimoniously removed the ball from the net and almost in slow motion led him to the center of the court. Not without protest the legitimacy of both converted by Friaça pointer .I knew the goal was legitimate but looking cool meeting sought the silence gave way to fear. And the great Obdulio , with its unique and daring temper got that glorious day in their purpose , the Maracana was silent , the hosts began to lower their guard and Uruguay achieved its finest hour in international football . Thus " the black boss" Obdulio Varela became part of the chosen list of world football , and is still there, as the eternal symbol of Uruguayan football. Debuted in 1939 for selection in the South American pageant Lima ( Uruguay 3 , Chile 2) and played his final game with the blue 15 years later, falling 4-2 to England in the '54 World Cup in Switzerland . In total he played 53 matches with the national team , scoring 30 wins , 17 losses and six draws . It was South American champion in 1942 and World Champion in 1950 , ie , Varela was the center of the storm that famous maracanazo

Platini

It was only a friendly, but with the Italians in football you never no friendship . France lost 1-0 when the referee ruled a foul . Michel Platini scored and threw . The referee awarded the goal. Platini got the ball , put it in the same place, was prepared to kick and placed the ball in the back of the net in the same place where he had placed seconds before . Platini began his career in the regional leagues of French football and was climbing through the maze of categories and equipment up to the French. In his debut match against Czechoslovakia there was a foul in the Czech area . Platini approached the captain of his team, Henri Michel , and said , "If you let me , I place it in the background ." Henri gave him the ball on a pitch with a perfect parable Platini as his word. The launch of faults, in which he was a master , was only one facet of the game Michel Platini . Gifted with an exquisite technique Platini could throw the ball forty yards at the foot of an unmarked teammate after haggled three rivals . His ball control was total. His intelligence director
too. Platini was born on June 21, 1955 in Joeuf (France ) , a town near Nancy . He was the second son of Italian parents passionate about football, the Piedmont region , which had an Italian restaurant. We can say that French football is divided into two eras, before and after Platini , Le Roi . With his arrival to the national team , France and returned to the international arena after making a brilliant role in World Argentina 78 , was at the World Cup Spain 82 in the world could attend the talent show Platini state pure . After converting champions to Nancy and Saint- Etienne , Michel Platini went to Juventus . There il Francese left his best football. In its first year won the Coppa Italia and was elected Ballon d' In its second year Platini won his second Ballon was cappocannonieri the Italian Championship , won the title of Italian League and Cup Winners . That same year, 1984 , Platini made ​​his European champions thanks to goals from set pieces , to suit your talent and your country. The following year, in 1985 , another Ballon again top scorer in the Italian league , champions league again and for the first time , champion of the European Cup . He was the owner of European football. Platini last went to the World Cup, this time in Mexico in 1986. Il Francese was thirty and France once again shone through him . In a memorable match against Brazil, France eliminated the canarinhos on penalties thanks to a jump of Platini . The following year, with still a lot of football to give Platini retired . But not football away far because it was entrenched in the elite Cup. It was thanks to his efforts and determination that France hosted the 1998 World Cup , which arrived at a gala first team won the world title. And Platini was there , not as a player but as the illustrious event organizer . For those who viewed the French victory over Brazil and the climax in which Zinedine Zidane rose the most beautiful football scepter shall not forget the eyes moist with emotion Monsieur Platini , because after all he was also owner of that triumph , although was not with shorts asking for the ball to direct the orchestra. Since 2007 chairman of the UEFA , the international body of European football, and like yesterday in court, acting as coolly and temper that characterized his years in football . Michel Platini , football is a game before a product , a show before a business and a sport rather than a market. Does well .

Zico

In Rio de Janeiro , the reporter went to Celso Garcia neighborhood of Quintino and was stunned with a guy who knew all the ball. " Tell me your name and age " he asked , and the boy replied, " Arthur Antunes Coimbra, or Zico , study and live here, where I was born on March 3, 1953 I'm 13 and I'm the baby of the family . " . Then his parents got Celso -José , Portuguese baker and Flamengo , and Matilda , the Tidinha - take the permission of the child to try Flamengo matriarch. Then know more , Zico had two brothers playing in America - Antunes and Edu . And would rather Flamengo to Dida for idolatry , as he was a fine stocking " rubro-negro " (scarlet-black)  until 1964 , and as the club Gávea , the team of his heart. Since then the red and black would be the only color Zico. Before even gain weight , size and strength until 1.71 m , had already won the juvenile state title in 1969. In July 1971 , already known as Galinho of Quintino , expression that gave the announcer Waldir Amaral for his claw and the name of your neighborhood, Zico becomes professional to become the greatest idol and scorer in the history of the red and black . This year would be in the pre-Olympic Brazil team but would not be in the Olympics 72 . However carioca would champion that year . Title of Rio de Janeiro that would repeat in 1974-78-79-81 and 1986. Flamengo also win championships Brazil 1980 , 82, 83 and 87. Copa Libertadores da And America and the 1981 Intercontinental Cup , played in Japan against Liverpool. For all of his work, the Galinho Quintino Gold Ball honored the magazine Placar nothing more than five editions (1974 , 75, 77, 82 and 87) . And almost all of those odd years , Zico was top scorer , as was the Maracanã stadium , with 320 points, in 22 years of hard ball. His other passion , perhaps greater than Flamengo , is Sandra , neighbor and first love , she at age

14 ; and he at 17, she married red and black . Sandra is the sister of the wife of his brother Edu and mother of Junior, Bruno and Tiago , children of " Galinho " . She , in fact, is also her best friend, companion difficult times and especially confident .One other great idol in the series is the selection of Brazil, which premiered on February 25, 1976 , against Uruguay . From that day , Zico was an irreplaceable of calls . With Brazil the same year he won 76 Cups bicentennial of the U.S. independence, Rio Branco , Rock, Oswaldo Cruz and Atlantic. And the England - Brazil 1981. Trophy until 1986 , when he decided to leave the team after the World Cup in Mexico , Zico had played 88 matches for his country , scoring 66 goals , goes to some being the largest producer of selection . In the three

World , participate in 14 games , making five goals.But failing one, for those World were not doing well . Injured in from Argentina , in 1978 , Zico only played a full game ; in others only a middle. The Brazil team at the World Cup was the face of the dictatorship in the country atmosphere . Starting Cláudio Coutinho , coach and former army captain , who just listened to Admiral Hellenic Nunes , then president of the Brazilian Confederation of Desportes ( predecessor of the current Brazilian Football Confederation , CBF) . And looking for versatility , our technician was lost in the command. No call or Falcão Júnior, Reinaldo expelled shortly military lover . That fiasco of the competition would only related things such idiotic Cláudio Coutinho own sentence : "We are moral champions of the World " . And such

overlapping expressions or future point , it also , they were not going to crack and creative style of Brazilian artist. For Zico , the World of 82 in Spain , with a Brazil that put in the most harmonious field team could gather in its history , was a stroke of luck. And 1986 , when injured, missed the penalty against France in the quarterfinals, was a trauma that weighed on his retirement from the selection. Intone offended by criticism , the Galo de Quintino , Gávea and the planet opened the game: " No change to win a title with Flamengo in a World Cup." And solidarity with him , the writer and illustrator Ziraldo Pinto would support this: "Holy mothermany joys Zico gave me and the fans in Brazil and Flamengo How many fouls thrown to the left of the crescent were ! goals safer than penalties ? Zico missed the penalty of his life , our life , and was immediately forgiven for his greatness. "A half of 1983 , the Galinho was sold to the Italian Udinese and composer Bay , Moraes Moreira, wrote a frevo which expressed the sadness of the red and black and carioca fondness for his departure from Gávea : " And now as I stay / evening Sunday / without Zico at Maracanã ... "In Italy , the artist of Brazilian football Flamengo confirmed its success . Despite playing in a modest team like Udinese , was the gunner competitive Italian national championship, as well as being considered the best player of the season . Rejecting proposals irrechazables big as AC Milan and Roma , he returned to Brazil , and of course, his passion to Flamengo in the summer of 1985.In Gávea , Zico stay until 1990 , when he made his farewell match on 6 February between Flamengo mates and friends, with tie at 2 . Was then posted the enviable figure of 847 encounters with the red and black shirt that had glorified . And his number of goals broke the record for the history of the club . 601 then would call after administration of President Fernando Collor de Mello, and naive in politics, agreed to be Secretary Sports federal government. Actually , Zico had made very real political commitment and serious when he founded and directed in 1981 the first union of professional footballers . In the Collor government, he authored the law with his name, which was surpassed by Pelé law, an ordinance discipline (is it possible?) Football. However, not holding more politicking , Zico left the government in 1991 , thinking better everyday , the Galinho Quintino took joining Kashima Japanese Antlers , where he was again top scorer , master of football schools and idol , well of following their withdrawal in 94 - football consultant distance .In Rio de Janeiro , Arthur Antunes Coimbra citizen , taught more chair (and money) than anyone to create the CFZ ( Zico Futebol Center ), for Brazil and Japanese children with conditions cracks . In the plan , plus a numerous investments , the business rents his own image, but always careful not to commit morally. And it is quite supportive of ex - football players ruined , which are the majority .In the 1998 World Cup in France, the Galo de Quintino , always wanting to do something for the Brazilian team, second to Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo technician . In 2000, the committee chair a time of CBF in charge of bringing Brazil 2006 World Cup organizing and in 2003 accepted the challenge of leading the Japanese team to do well in the 2006 World Cup , which he did , calling , but then I had the bad luck of the draw of seeing Japan fall into the same group as his country , Brazil . Lately accept Zico again moved to Rio to train the Turkish Fenerbahce . But every time may be Rio de Janeiro , Zico appreciated live with the family in a house of 1,200 square meters, surrounded by a garden of three times , with room - plus Sandra , children and family - all their trophies and immeasurable kindness .