Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit was born on September 1, 1962 in Amsterdam, Holland. For a Dutch boy having a trial with Ajax is a dream. Being rejected by the best football school in Europe, as happened to Gullit, it can turn into a nightmare.

Ruud Gullit kept trying and Haarlem was accepted. The scouts knew the young libero discover the potential of one of the best players that Holland has in all times.The first step they took was to change position. Gullit played back then libero, a position that did not take advantage of their best qualities, speed (11 seconds in the 100 meters). Ruud abandon that position and would not perform it until the end of his career, when he took the role of coach and player Chelsea.Despite the surplus of stars, the Dutch football can recognize emerging talent and three years after debuting in Haarlem Gullit was organized

by the Dutch national team.From Haarlem went to Feyenoord in 1982 and then to PSV in 1985 before finally leaving Dutch football. Marching towards the Italian league in 1987, Gullit left behind him three league titles Netherlands (with Feyenoord in 1984 and PSV in 1986 and 1987) and a Cup (with Feyenoord in 1984). Call of AC Milan, backed by five million dollars was too powerful to ignore.The draft Sacchi and Berlusconi was based on the Dutch talent. Van Basten, Gullit and Rijkaard were the base of that triangle that shocked Europe Milan and destroyed every opponent that stood in their way.If Van Basten was the dagger that historic Milan, Gullit was the spirit, the computer base and shaft made it work. Skillful,

intelligent, endowed with great class and arrival at goal, Gullit was voted European Player of the Year in 1988, where he won the European Championship with the Netherlands and the Italian League with Milan (win two more league in 1992 and 1993 and two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups in 1989 and 1990).Rivals breathed easier when Gullit Holland announced he would not go to the U.S. World 1994. In a difficult decision to understand, Ruud Gullit Holland deprived of their best player, himself, altering the course of that World Cup in Holland once again did not succeed.After a brief and fleeting passage by Sampdoria, where he won the Italian Cup in 1994, the black tulip returned to Milan. A little later he heard another call, this time Chelsea. There again played libero, reprising the role of his youth and started a new career, technical alternated with a season

player. In England left another title, the FA Cup in 1997, as in Holland and Italy before. Throughout his career, mark 235 goals in 629 official matches.His playing career is over but the coach has only just begun.It has already trained the English Newcastle, Feyenoord and the Dutch national teams of Holland base.

Moacir Barbosa

"When we scored the 2-1 ... the silence ... they weighed, Ghiggia progressed, I

warned the cross where three executioners were drooling, waiting for the ball ... Bigode chasing Ghiggia, Juvenal tried to cover him, was going to meet Ghiggia, but in the area are only them, our no defense if crosses no way, is sure to score, I'm just waiting for the center Ghiggia, I step forward, because surely make the same move that in the first goal, he feels crestfallen'm out but ran like a Miura bull shoots the instep in the ball on the play and I think I've sent a corner, but

it was like a vacilón kick, the ball lands in the grass, up and down, then I made a side step and a jump to my left with all possible momentum ... when I felt the stadium in silence I plucked up courage, I looked back and saw the brown leather ball there. .. ".The narrative is Barbosa, the Brazilian team of 1950, who lost against Uruguay World in Rio. However, he was elected the best goalkeeper of the tournament. It is the most dramatic play of the game. That Barbosa made a victim. Just for that goal, a man suffered the rest of his life, by a single goal, racism disguised as Brazil came to the fore-the same prejudice that discriminate against the black porter in a barber shop in Porto Alegre. Everything is in the book "Barbosa: a goal that turns fifty" by Roberto Muylaert.Moacir Barbosa Nascimento was Campinas, São Paulo State, born March 27,

1921. There he made the primary course at a school that also learned carpentry. But football-with its own arbitrator, and uniform-field marked only met him in the capital, playing right end into the Admiral Club Tamandaré, the São Paulo neighborhood of Liberdade team. That is until, to become the cock-as they say-among connoisseurs, Barbosa change the attack to the goal one day when confronted another minnows Tamandaré in Vila Maria.And in goal, with 1.76 m, adapted ("I have not run it," he said) and progressed. In 1940, washed crystals Paulista Laboratório de Biologia while closed bow equipment company. That year, he married Clotilde. Thinking about race, studied pharmaceutical chemistry. But the Ipiranga Sao Paulo saw him play and hired him, making him the idol of a team that also had to Rodrigues (in the future Brazilian international also) happened backwards from the goal to the left corner. In 1943, a prominent Ipiranga in the competition, Moacir Barbosa was already one of the best archers São Paulo. It was when Domingos da Guia, the Corinthians, saw him come out of his goal with quiet, elegant, rapid elasticity and cat. So what the famous defense advised his Vasco da Gama Rio, would buy your pass in 1944.In his first year in Vasco Barbosa played only two matches since contesting the six doormen more. However, in 1945, was the owner and carioca undefeated champion. Even win state titles 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1952. Additionally, with your back to Vasco, the 1956 and 1958-in addition to the Rio-São Paulo tournament that year. And it was several times winner with the selection of Rio de Janeiro.In 1945, he was summoned to the Seleção against Argentina and premiered in São Paulo, where the goalkeeper Oberdan was king. From then until 1953, Barbosa was on target 35 times Brazil. And he won the South American country for 1949 and the Rock and Rio Branco glasses. Not to mention countless international trophies won by the Basque, who at the time was called the "Expresso da Vitória".Thanks to his trips abroad, the gracious and polite Moacir had a curious fact. In Mexico, with a hint, tip an opponent made a move and seeing the ball go into their networks, gave a nice Chilean, "at the time the ball had made the last effort to cross the line, and sent to the corner ".But he was not respected by the physical pain. The victim unforgettable goalkeeper who treated everyone with courtesy and was never even won the field-fair play trophy-Belfort Duarte, broke his leg in 1953, due to a violent and useless player Botafogo. So, according to Barbosa, himself was not at the World Cup in Switzerland, where Germany beat Hungary's favorite in the final. A long time with the cast, and São Januário Barbosa began to forget and made him a mere book, when recovered by the end of 1954.In 1955, Porter went to the city of Recife. And there he found, in the twilight of their careers, former football stars of Rio: in his Santa Cruz, Marinho, ex-Flu; Alviverde in America (now extinct), Dimas, ex-Vasco; in Sport, the former half of the Basque, Eli do Amparo and former Botafogo goalkeeper Osvaldo Beacon. However, in July 1956, the Brazilian Northeast misfit, Barbosa would be surrendered to Vasco da Gama, the club of his most lasting and irremediable passions.Again was champion that year Superchampionship Carioca 1958. Both the crack era only ended in 1962 in São Januário. At 41, took off his shirt to the Maltese cross to go through the club Bonsucesso. And he fired the ball into the modest Campo Grande, July 8, against Madureira. In that game, stretching to stop a shot, Barbosa was injured. In the hammock, applauded by 670 people, writhing in pain-femoral lesion similar to a month earlier, had suffered Pele in the World Cup in Chile. While in the little suburban stadium, became a silence-for another reason-it was so sad as the fateful July 16, 1950, at the Maracana. It was the silence of the people revere a man-fledged, world runner-up football. For history, it was not. But for old goalie was all.Anonymous and unemployed in 1963, Barbosa heard that management would change Maracana Stadium goalposts. And that's where the Uruguayan Ghiggia made the goal of his sin will be donated. Accepted and once in possession of the symbol of his own misfortune, a barbecue and surrounded by friends, former goalkeeper set fire to pieces of wood from the goal for roasting meat. Then I still had to explain if both Ghiggia was sung or not-awesome. In 1996, on the death of his wife Clotilde and financially ruined by the cost to save her, Moacir Barbosa left Rio, the former capital of the country that made him unjust villain. He moved to Ocian Cidade in São Paulo coast, where renting a one bedroom apartment and living his life to end.The April 7, 2000, in the simple coffin, his hands folded - who in life never knew the gloves - he discovered eleven fractures. And among the few present at the wake, nobody knew that the body was inert black victim of a fatal shot. And that was the first Brazilian keeper to pull them out of goal. And perhaps the last to use knee pads.

George Weah

He found the ball in his great life-changing oportundad. George Weah is a classic example of African football. And it is certainly the best of them all. Born and raised in the miserable Liberia, Weah won in life and in the field ... and how to beat!The career of the now ex-player was always linked to his roots, even in the boom, in 1995, when he won the Golden Ball and was named the best player in the world by FIFA (the only African to today, btw) .Weah began his career in the Young Survivor, the capital of Monrovia (his hometown), at age 14. Six years later, he won his first national title, and the Invincible Eleven. The following year he transferred to the Tonerre Clara Club and Cameroon became champions.

Shine in African football was little for him, very little due to the enormous potential of the then young Weah. In the second half of 1988 made the first of his many dreams to play in Europe. And in his debut season for Monaco he scored 14 goals in 23 games.From there, the world came to know Weah, one the first children of Mother Africa to pick a path of success for the Old World, two decades after the Mozambican national Portuguese Eusebio. An exquisite striker, who loved puffy, opponents or not.The first title in French territory soon fell. Wine on the

90/91 season, with the French Cup. This success was repeated two seasons later, with Paris Saint Germain. The following year, in the company of great players such as Rai and Leonardo Brazilians won the French League.Its explosion, his dribbles, elegance to hit the ball. A set of these and many other qualities Weah made an icon.Such a huge admiration came after his outstanding experience for Milan. Weah

was with the Rossoneri filled the void left by Marco Van Basten. Not so much for his 11 goals the season premiere, which helped the team win the Scudetto, but by his strong will, his devotion and dedication.The love of countryIf today the urge to defend the national team is put in check any instant, the same can not be used when referring to Weah-Liberia. The former striker was never near a World Cup Soccer, but the dilemma of playing with their nation or never stalked her mind. He respected the shirt of Liberia in the qualifying stages of the world, friendly and Cups Africa. In 1996 African edition also paid the expenses of the delegation in South Africa.Weah knew the results within field would hardly be favorable. But the objectives would be achieved. It was reflected in the crack that thousands of Liberian children came to believe they could win.

And Weah plays its social role with the same skill with which he was of the adversaries. Ambassador of the United Nations (UN) since 1997, is also president of the Junior Professionals, club Monrovia founded by the Front itself, in 1994, serving young people across Liberia, provided they continue their studies - the club leave most players selections base.Committed to improving the lives of its people, Weah launched his candidacy for the presidency of Liberia in the 2005 elections. However, was defeated in the second round by economist Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a former finance minister, in a lawsuit filled fraud, according to former player (see items 1 and 2). Thus, the country is still devastated, still suffering the consequences of 15 years of civil war and corrupt governments. In Liberia, much of the population has no access to electricity or running water. But a dream unites the people overcome as its most famous son, George Weah.

Hidetoshi Nakata

Over the years, football in Asia has grown in an exceptional manner, not just talked about the love of the sport, but the progress of the players, who every day are beginning to win seats in the best clubs world. In Japan you can talk about Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, among others. But one of the first major Japanese players was Hidetoshi Nakata.Hidetoshi began his career as a striker in 1995, when at 18 he signed for Bellmare Hiratsuka, where he showed his skills midfielder excellent: great vision, great coming back, great individual technique and very easily to turn goals. In his debut season, and won the title caught on a great season by scoring 8 goals in 26 games.The second campaign would be very important to him, and that this would define his true role as a professional footballer, playing behind the front, occupying a position of midfielder. Nakata win the AFC Cup Winners' right in that season.Over matches, Hidetoshi became the idol of Bellmare, achieving their first calls for the largest selection of Japan, which was ranked first in the 1997 World Cup. In the same year, Nakata Japanese won the player of the year. In 1998 he was named the most valuable of the East Asian Football Championship player, and was called to contest the World Cup in France, where even though Japan did not go beyond the group stage, the Japanese player left a good feeling.The 1998 World Cup in France he managed to be a great moment for projection, and thanks to this tournament, and their excellent performances in the Japanese league, Nakata began to awaken much interest in European football, especially Calcium. The Perugia team that had just ascended to Serie A, which was able to sign Japanese footballer because after paying four million dollars made him the

second player from China to play in this league; before I had done Kazu Miura.In the debut of Hidetoshi Nakata match against Perugia, the Japanese won by two touchdowns magníficojuego football team held their Juventus. The score ended 4-3 in favor of Turin, but the Japanese made great feelings. In the 1998-1999 season, Nakata had 10 touchdowns in 33 games, and the 99/00 season he became the greatest figure of that team.In the winter of the 1999-2000 campaign, Roma managed to gain the services of the Japanese in order to fight for the Scudetto. The Giallorossi were that season led by coach Fabio Capello and players like Francesco Totti and Vincenzo Montella, among others. In his first season played 15 games and

scored three goals, and the 00/01 season he became the player "talisman" of the team, as was always the ideal relay and effective Fabio Capello, and essential piece of equipment for win the league title.With the Japanese team, Nakata managed to make history at the world championships held his country together to Korea in 2002, as it was the first time Japan advanced from the group stage. Unfortunately, Turkey would miss in the second round.In the 2001-2002 season, he signed for Parma Hidetoshi, becoming the most expensive player in Japanese history, costing 27 million euros. In his debut season, Nakata won the Italian Cup, and in the season 02/03 performed well despite not getting any title.For the 2003-2004 championship, the Japanese player had one of the most difficult seasons of his career to be relegated to the bench parmesan team. The ceded Parma to Bologna in winter market, with the intention that I had more minutes, achieving its mission to return to the team later his own letter. Similarly, Hidetoshi Parma sold to the newly promoted Fiorentina for the 2004-2005 tournament, but the level of Asian football star continued to drop due to injuries and other factors.With his new team, Nakata played 20 games, but the season finale was new

account relegated to the bench. The solution sought Fiore him, lending to English football. His fate would be the Bolton Wanderers.The English team, the nipoón got to play 21 games and scored the last goal of his career against West Bromwich. A Nakata him a hard time adjusting to the British way of life, and that the injuries have left him alone. His season at Bolton was not the brightest of his career, but it was enough for him to play his last World Cup in Germany 2006. Japanese failed to win any match of the group stage, but Nakata was voted player of choice in the 3 games they had.Without any doubt, Hidetoshi Nakata is considered one of the best players that has given Asia. Never forget that quality showing every game, and thanks to players like him, big name teams have been set at players from that continent. Today we can enjoy some as Keisuke Honda, who plays for CSKA Moscow, Shinji Kagawa, who exudes class at Manchester United, Yuto Nagatomo, who plays for Inter Milan, and Ji Sung Park, South Korea , who won major titles with Sir Alex Ferguson, among other players.

Alfredo Tena

Alfredo Tena Garduño, better known as 'Captain Fury', was born on November 21, 1956 in Mexico City. From a young age his love for football was reflected on the pitch. During his time as a player played as a central defender and was a natural leader on the field of play.The defender made his debut with the Eagles in 1973 at age 17 and from the

beginning showed great qualities on the pitch, which led him to become the captain of the squad azulcrema for most of his career. Thus fought great battles demonstrating his tough character and his love for the shirt, which he defended against any opponent to death.Won six league championships in campaigns 1975-76 1983-84 1984-85 Prode 85, 1987-88 1988-89. He also received the trophy for the Interamerican Cup in 1978 and 1991.He carried the coat of Tricolor with which he participated in more than 50 games including the World Argentina 1978, where the Aztec selection under the command of José Antonio Roca had not performed well because it lost its three games against Tunisia ( 3-1), Germany (6-0) and Poland

(3-1). Notably Tena was denied participation in the representative when our country was held in the 1986 World Cup.His retirement as a professional player was 1991-92 championship team Tecos UAG, who played only two matches and later became assistant coach Alberto Guerra.Since his role as helmsman began in the 1993-1994 season with the Camoteros of Puebla, who returned to the team in the Winter 1998 and remained until Summer 1999.In the 1995-96 season came to Santos Laguna squad to which he directed until Summer 1998. Commanding Warriors won their first championship as a coach, plus it became the first quarterback to win the title of short matches in Summer 1996.From the Winter 1999 returned to azulcrema institution where he remained until Winter 2000. At this stage I had an excellent turnout as coach. He led the tournament in three short feathered.At this time let up the name of Mexico to reach the semifinals of the Copa

Libertadores 2000 tournament in which it was eliminated by Boca Juniors of Argentina, which ultimately would be the champion of the competition, in a match up antiamericanistas felt the yellow heart.After a year of inactivity, he returned to coaching in the Winter 2001 and this time in command of the Pachuca Pachuca campaign in which he earned his second league championship as a quarterback. Also became the first Mexican has been and as technical director Cup champion CONCACAF Champions Player. In the Clausura 2003 tournament the 'Captain Fury' pachuqueña left the institution.He took command of the Gallos Blancos of Queretaro, in the Apertura 2003 tournament, where their numbers were not quite good, only won one game, drew three and lost eight, started the Clausura 2004 but it was only three days, the three ended with tie.In the Clausura 2005 he returned to the set of Pachuca Pachuca and effectiveness remained dismal, with only five games won one, drew one and lost three.He came to the Red Sharks of Veracruz in the Clausura 2006 and there he had his worst performance only went five games and lost them all.After that, he returned to America in the Apertura 2006 but not as a quarterback, but as an adjunct to his brother Luis Fernando.

Luis Suárez Miramontes

It is difficult to understand how a team with Di Stefano, Kubala, Luis Suarez Gento and never won anything. But that's football. Four of the best players ever playing together in the best selection you probably had Spain, and yet the only title was the Spanish team won the European Championship in 1964 and when most of them had been removed (they were only Gento and Luis Suárez of the above).

They say this is the greatness of football and its history is full of stars who never got any world title. One of them was Luis Suarez. Voted best player in Europe in 1960, Luis Suarez was one of the best players born in the old continent.Luis Suárez Miramontes born in La Coruna on May 2, 1935. Began his career at Deportivo Coruna and it took only a match, his debut for FC Barcelona decided to sign him. Helenio Herrera who coached Barcelona in the 50s, decided to take him to Inter Milan in 1961. At Barcelona, ​​win two Spanish league titles, 2 Copa del Generalissimo, 2 Fairs Cups and reach their first European final, losing against Benfica Eusébio in 1961.

There will be increased further if the legend of the architect, which still thrives in Italy, where he is remembered even more than in Spain. As a player Suarez had impeccable technique. Could play in any position and all stood out. He had a great shot, it was a great passer, a great playmaker and had a great vision. Conquer with coach Helenio Herrera, maximum football titles in the world, being on this team, known as the Great Inter, the true leader in the field. He won three Italian league titles, two European Cups (1964 and 1965) and 2 Intercontinental Cups with the Milanese club.With Spain was capped 30 times, you got 13 goals. After retiring as a player Luis Suarez

 went to the bench and was Spanish national team and Inter coach bound team that continues today.

Garrincha

"If there is a god that rules football, that God is especially ironic and phony, and Garrincha was one of his subjects charged with escape from everything and everyone ... It was a poor little mortal who helped an entire country to sublimate their sorrows. worst thing is that sadness returned, and no other Garrincha available.'s need a new one, to feed us sleep." That quote is from Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Brazil's largest modernist poet. And never was read by the alagoano Amaro, illiterate, drunk, club and womanizer. However, the father Manoel Francisco dos Santos, the essential Garrincha, one of the best players on the planet, born October 28, 1933, in the district of Pau Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro.Mane was the fifth son of the house and the eldest daughter, Rosa, seeing in him

the indomitable and soft singing bird, he began to call Garrincha. And he happy with the name, very soon I had to show enthusiasm and temperament. Indigenous paternal side, the future idol inherit the alcoholic tendency. And the joy of living and playing will also come from the blackness of Mr dos Santos Amaro.But no one in Pau Grande argued that adolescents drink. Me to play ball was amazing right knee turned inward and left outward defect resulted in a shorter leg and dislocated spleen. And they both play equipment textile America Manufacturing, where the operator elusive Garrincha changed partiditos street work. Only he was the ace of factory equipment, which led to

the hiring of Petropolis Serrano, remunerándolo per game. This form of wages it will create the desire to live the third pleasure. After sex and drink, in this order, which was her favorite play. And made his uncle Manoel Caieira-inveterate-Cachaceiro wanted to make joining one of the renowned clubs Cariocas.In 1950, Caieira took him to Vasco and Sao Cristovao. In 51, Flamengo and Fluminense, all without success. Garrincha would give up the big teams

when, already married to Nair, operaria that will give Botafogo daughter invited him to a test. And only the June 10, 1953 was there. That day, Nilton Santos urged that was hired, inclusive, to relieve the rest of his life, with the certainty that it would never demoralized by someone in football.Botafogo misery paid $ 27 to Serrano and Garrincha a ridiculous salary. Mane Iraci brought her lover to Rio. And every week climbed the mountain to drink and make love to the bold Nair, who made seven more daughters. The club grew on the right end, but the team was bad in 53, 54 and 55. O'Higgins Is the Cup, the September 19, 1955, that Garrincha was released in Brazil selected. And only in 1957, when Botafogo Rio was champion, the team again. The following year, Mane won the World Cup in Sweden, where, in addition to drinking, which was approved, made with a lover Ulf Lindberg, a Nordic brother to the two children he had with Iraci, the mulatto Pau-large, who soon forget.In 1959 and 1960, Garrincha played friendlies and a South American for

selection. In 1961, he led the Oswaldo Cruz O'Higgins and drinks, in addition to the state competition for Botafogo. At this time, separated from Nair, began his friendship with the singer Elza Soares. The following year, repeating the Carioca title, won the Rio-São Paulo (title repeated in 64) and made 12 games in the selection taking over Cup Oswaldo Cruz and the World Cup in Chile, where he was the crack of the competition, I though expulsion, isolated incident in his career. Only return to Brazil team in 1965, when it was sold to Corinthians. And in the 1966 World Cup, against Hungary, Garrincha was defeated with the selection for the first and only time, being also the last game and so accounting for 61 games and 17 goals.Probably its decline begins when, with chronic osteoarthritis and overweight received injections in the knees to be profitable for Botafogo-with him, share $ 12,000; without it, only 8000. Displaying the mine dry, the club traded him to the Corinthians, where Mane made just 10 games and won the Rio-São Paulo 66. Then to survive, try your luck at Atletico Junior de Barranquilla Colombia. And back to Rio, even dull acted in Flamengo, Olaria and Portuguese.In Italy in the early '70s, playing in amateur team against teams from neighborhoods. And had the poet Chico Buarque de Hollanda, the exiled political era, as a private driver. Only Mane could return. And returned to the Maracanã, where he was "Angel Cakes legs" and "The joy of the people" in the tribute match which brought together local and foreign players in December 1973. But after drinking the income of the meeting, driving drunk three times, ran over to the father in crash in Pau Grande, a child and the mother. Ever, no gas, was leased to mediocre teams and drank cache. At a carnival, his allegorical image of the samba school that was celebrating moving. And he was always gentle and friendly, he violence with whom he wanted to help, as Ademir Menezes. So much so that in 1977, Elza and physically assaulted her mother Garrinchinha not endure more, leave him. Then, the perturbed Mane joined Vanderléa, who gave him a daughter, totaling as fiery gallant five companions, a brood full of 13 descendants.But mostly this was not done neuropathy. No, he did much more ... addition inimitable magic dodge, bequeathed Mane football chivalrous gesture to throw the ball out to rescue someone. And once, in Mexico, seeing him as often dribbling the side of the River Plate, the mass started shouting olé, the incentive runs cry now incorporated in the stadiums of the world. Even more: the subtle and short phrases. Chile, 1962, a radio reporter asked: "Al microphone for his farewell." And Garrincha "Goodbye microphone." With another reporter was diplomat: "I was born Flamengo, Botafogo but I grew." In this club, the honorable Admiral Lima Lages heard when the right Wing said, seriously and without blinking, as a president would receive salary: "At a minimum, the maximum".That unlettered genius, for the chronicler Paulo Mendes Campos, made magic exceeds logic, died in Rio do Janeiro on January 20, 1983. At autopsy, brain, heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestine and kidneys were partially destroyed by alcohol. However, if the examination were human, I would say that insurance Mane disappeared, above all, the dream of every and any man who wants to make reason supreme joy of football. And in life.

Marco Van Basten

Marco Van Basten was born on October 31, 1964 in Utrecht and started playing at the legendary Ajax Amsterdam in Holland, where I made the big leap to sign footballing Milan Italy.

At the young age of 16, debuted in Eredivisie with Ajax, with which soon rose to prominence in the center forward position and won three leagues, three glasses and a Cup Winners Cup in '87. Was 3 times top scorer in the Eredivisie, and 86 took the Golden Boot as the top European goalscorer. In total, Ajax played 133 games scoring 128 goals a staggering number for the time. Seeing his talent, the Italian president Silvio Berlusconi, president of AC Milan, bought their services alongside Ruud Gullit in 1987, and Frank Rijkaard in 1988. During the first year with Van Basten Milan scudetto achieved, something the Italian club eight years ago that he could not. From this period dates his nagging ankle injury, nevertheless, was champion in

1988 in the European Championship with an excellent performance, including

three goals against England and a spectacular volley in the final against the Soviet Union. European Footballer of the Year was in the 1988-89 season, scoring 19 goals in Serie A with Milan who champion the European Cup against Steaua Bucharest was crowned (the following year repitiría title against Benfica). He was top scorer of the Italian League in 1989-90. In 1991-92, the Italian team champion and top scorer with 25 goals was crowned. Yet another win over Italian title in 1992-93. With the national team played 58 games and was a total of three times European Footballer a Heavyweight success in your sports schedule due to his recurrent injury. His last match was played for Milan in the Champions League in that final against Marseille lost, back in 1993 and San Marco, as they called the Milanese fans, just 29 years old, premature end to a career that could follow being successful. But I remained tied to football, while former great scorer and Golden Ball three times (1988, 1989 and 1992) is the Dutch coach from 29 July 2004.

Edvaldo Dida

The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is the most expressive Brazilian team. In over one hundred years of existence, the oldest to the youngest, the five biggest idols were: Domingos da Guia, Leonidas da Silva, Zizinho, Dida and Zico. Such rojinegros gods, the Dida-alagoano Edvaldo Alves de Santa Rosa, who was born in Maceió on March 26, 1934, was the only no longevity in the Brazilian national team, only 8 games, scoring 5 goals. That's one reason: Dida had the historical misfortune of being playmaker at the time of Pele, the genius who rose to fame at age 17.But alagoano also devoted young. Only the Brazilian northeast is a region where the economy disinherited inhibits all vital manifestations, even in football. So Dida, son of Erlinda and Jaime, had appeared in a small America, Maceio. Then the CSA-Alagoas-Centro Sportivo was the club that gave him the choice to debut at the highest level in 1952, soon to be state champion and top scorer with 9 goals. Two years later, in the U.S. Championship Teams, Dida act in the team against Alagoas Paraíba. In that match, within 1.75 m 3 goals did that impressed a couple of team players Volleyball Flamengo Rio, the Americans Mary and John O'Shea, hiking in Maceió. Then, in Rio, the red and black directors hired him. To Dida, he starting his career aspirant Gávea team, get to the top was an insurmountable obstacle in position were Evaristo future star of Barcelona and Real Madrid, and the Paraguayan Benitez. But the sorcerer and coach of Flamengo, Fleitas Solich, Dida at age 20 was the ideal replacement for those players, injured, were down to play against Vasco da Gama, on 17 October, in the Carioca Championship 1954. And alagoano premiered and won that game facing the Mengo bicampeonato. With it, Fleitas Solich had chosen another

norestino: Baba almost dwarf, which would far left Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo (alagoano as Dida) beyond dispute that classic soccer in Rio de Janeiro.

Although acclaimed by the crowd, Dida still remain for a while as a substitute for luxury. In 1955, he played the title game, the first team against the carioca America, and made four goals (one wrongly attributed to Pernambuco Duca) in the 4-1 victory, which gave the club made the tricampeonato. Benitez's departure for Yacht Recife allowed him to play more times in 1956 and 1957 holder, but Evaristo-by then, as the Brazilian-selection would only play in Spain later. In 1958, finally all started in the red and black attack, Dida could display your hurry technique, agility, power of creation, dribbling and perfect chuts also skilled in pitching, speed travel and sense of solidarity off the attack to help the midfield.With these merits, in May of that year, when he was the undisputed Flamengo striker in the Campeonato Carioca, he debuted in the national team, beating Paraguay in the Copa Oswaldo Cruz. Already in that fight, Dida was replaced by Pele in the second half. Yet when combined the Brazilian World Cup in Sweden, was listed as the owner alagoano formed and why he played the first game with Austria. But that day playmaker Fla sacrificed, the right foot is shod with a boot tape, in order to withstand the pain of inflammation. And, without paying the

expected level, Dida, selfless, and brave fighting, allowing the spaces opened Forward Mazzola (Altafini) do two of the goals in a 3-0 victory. Upon his sacrifice, Didi-brain team-said "Without movements Dida, Brazil would have scored against Austria." After the game, the interior showed exhausted and worsened the injury. Result: did not act against England, giving way to Vavá improvised average. After the third meeting, disappointment: Pele said really Garrincha and Vava own. It is said that this could traumatize Dida, to ask for his departure from the group in the middle of the World. But it is true that the interior of Flamengo suffer the rest of her life this feeling of failure.Compensating staff fiasco with the Brazilian national team in 1959, the crack will again

rojinegros scorer in the Campeonato Carioca. At that point, as many young Cariocas, in the neighborhood of Quintino a boy of 6 years old, blond son of a Portuguese, Dida had his unforgettable idol. That child was Zico, who 25 years later would be overcome rojinegro 244 scores two goals that alagoano Edvaldo Alves de Santa Rosa did for Flamengo. Dida still return to the national team, being the last time, against Paraguay on 29 June 1961, year in which he won for the club Gávea Rio-São Paulo tournament. The following season, he was again the top scorer of Flamengo. And played his last rojinegro Carioca Championship in 1963, and was transferred to the São Paulo club Portuguesa de Desportos, in early 1964.In São Paulo Lusa, exceptional Dida was not even a shadow of what it was in Rio. Although, as relentless scorer, signed 54 goals for the team Canindé Stadium. In Paulicéia, to stay until 1965, when he moved to Colombia, in Barranquilla Atletico finished in 1968, dull, a glittering career beginnings. In Rio de Janeiro, Dida, who failed to save money for a better life, I was tapped to handle the lower divisions of Mengo, working where he remained for over 20 years. In that period, it was a few months of Gávea, in 1976, to train unsuccessfully Taguatinga Brasília. Also tried to settle in a home lottery-la-Didasorte, but it would be a terrible business failure.On the emotional plan, the second highest scorer in the history rojinegra Tomowsky loved Lydia, with whom he had his children Alberto Luiz Cláudio and George. She wanted to direct the business managed by Dida so bad. And throughout life, not let him sell two properties that yielded little. But in 1991, when Dida had financial and health problems, Lydia died. So he could not see in 1993, with the name of the widow, the inauguration of a museum in Maceió, Alagoas beautiful capital.The September 19, 2002, the reduced-Dida 49 kilos and victim of hepatitis-body made its last trip Salon honor Flamengo headquarters to the cemetery. In the national memory, however, the crack will consist of eternal form as an example of the art of playing football.