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| Roberto Rivelino | |
|---|---|
| Name | Roberto Rivelino |
| Fullname | Roberto Rivelino |
| Birth date | 1946 |
| Birth place | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Position | Attacking midfielder |
| Youthclubs | Corinthians |
| Years1 | 1965–1974 |
| Clubs1 | Corinthians |
| Years2 | 1974–1978 |
| Clubs2 | Fluminense |
| Years3 | 1979–1981 |
| Clubs3 | Al-Hilal |
| Nationalyears | 1970–1978 |
| Nationalteam | Brazil |
| Nationalcaps | 20 |
Roberto Rivelino Roberto Rivelino was a Brazilian attacking midfielder known for his playmaking, powerful left foot, and trademark dribbling during the 1960s and 1970s. Celebrated alongside contemporaries, he featured prominently for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Fluminense FC, and the Brazil national football team, contributing to major tournaments and domestic competitions. His style influenced later generations of midfielders and left an imprint on South American and Middle Eastern club football.
Rivelino was born in São Paulo and developed in the youth system of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, where early coaches and scouts from clubs such as São Paulo FC, Santos FC, SE Palmeiras, Clube Atlético Juventus (SP), and Associação Portuguesa de Desportos observed his talent. In youth competitions against sides like Clube Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Fluminense FC Youth, Vasco da Gama Youth, and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas Youth, he displayed skills comparable to peers from academies linked to Pelé, Garrincha, Zico, Gérson and Tostão. Early tournaments such as the Taça Brasil youth fixtures and state championships involving Campeonato Paulista opposition helped establish him as a prospect amid scouts from FIFA-affiliated associations and coaches influenced by figures like Vicente Feola, Mário Zagallo, Osvaldo Brandão, and Cláudio Coutinho.
At Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Rivelino played in campaigns against regional rivals including São Paulo FC, SE Palmeiras, and Santos FC in the Campeonato Paulista. His performances attracted attention from national clubs such as Fluminense FC, where he later transferred and partnered with teammates who previously featured alongside players like Rivellino (sic)'s contemporaries in matches against Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas during Campeonato Brasileiro Série A seasons. At Fluminense FC, he contributed to squads competing with Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Grêmio, Internacional, Athletico Paranaense, and Coritiba Foot Ball Club. His career also included a stint with Al Hilal SFC in Saudi Arabia, where he played in competitions involving Al Ittihad Club (Jeddah), Al Nassr FC, and clubs from the AFC Champions League precursor contexts, reflecting a trend of Brazilian exports following examples set by players who moved to Mexico national football team leagues, La Liga and Serie A earlier in the decade. Rivelino's club career intersected with managers influenced by Telê Santana, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, Carlos Alberto Parreira, and administrators from organizations such as Confederação Brasileira de Futebol.
Rivelino earned caps for the Brazil national football team and was selected for squads alongside icons like Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres, Jairzinho, Clodoaldo, Rivelino's contemporaries, and Everton in varying contexts of international friendlies, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and tournaments. He played a notable role in the 1970 FIFA World Cup campaign under coach Mário Zagallo, contributing to matches against nations such as Italy, Uruguay, England, Peru, and Czechoslovakia. Later international appearances involved fixtures against teams like Netherlands, Argentina, Soviet Union, Chile, Paraguay, and Colombia in South American competitions administered by CONMEBOL and exhibition tours organized by federations such as UEFA and CONCACAF.
Rivelino's technique—characterized by long-range shooting, powerful free kicks, and a distinctive dribble—was compared to skills displayed by Pelé, Garrincha, Zico, Rivellino's left foot contemporaries, and Jairzinho. Analysts and journalists referencing tactics from figures like Rinus Michels, Arrigo Sacchi, Helenio Herrera, and Rinus Israël noted his role in transitional play and offensive organization. His influence extended to players who later excelled at Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus FC, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Atlético Madrid, and Bayern Munich. Clubs, national teams, and award committees including FIFA, Ballon d'Or commentators, and historians from institutions such as CONMEBOL and sporting museums often cite Rivelino when discussing Brazilian midfield archetypes and free-kick technique lineage alongside Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Kaká, Neymar, and Rivaldo.
After retiring, Rivelino engaged in coaching clinics, exhibitions, and ambassadorial roles connected to entities like FIFA, CONMEBOL, UEFA, and footballing academies modeled after Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and Sport Club Corinthians Paulista youth programs. He participated in testimonial matches featuring retired stars from Pelé's All-Stars, Bobby Moore XI, Diego Maradona XI, and charity matches endorsed by organizations such as UNICEF and Red Cross. He contributed to broadcast commentary alongside networks covering competitions like Copa Libertadores, Copa América, UEFA Champions League, and domestic leagues including Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Rivelino maintained ties with football communities in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and international cities such as Riyadh, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, and Buenos Aires. He was associated with former teammates and contemporaries from clubs and national teams including Corinthians legends, Fluminense veterans, and members of the 1970 Brazil squad. Public appearances included events run by federations such as the Brazilian Football Confederation, municipal sports councils, and charitable foundations linked to former players like Pelé, Zico, Romário, Ronaldo.
Category:Brazilian footballers Category:Association football midfielders