Roberto Rivellino

Roberto Rivellino
Alessandro Sabatini · Public domain · source
Name	Roberto Rivellino
Fullname	Roberto Rivellino
Birth date	1946-01-01
Birth place	São Paulo, Brazil
Position	Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder
Youth clubs	Corinthians
Years1	1965–1974
Clubs1	Corinthians
Years2	1974–1979
Clubs2	Fluminense
Nationalyears1	1965–1978
Nationalteam1	Brazil
Nationalcaps1	92
Nationalgoals1	26

Roberto Rivellino Roberto Rivellino is a Brazilian former professional footballer renowned for his left-footed technique, free-kick mastery, and the invention and popularization of the "flip flap" dribbling move. A key figure in Brazilian football during the 1960s and 1970s, he starred for clubs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and for the Brazil national team, contributing to the 1970 FIFA World Cup triumph and shaping the attacking midfield archetype used by generations of players.

Early life and youth career

Born in São Paulo, Rivellino developed his talents in neighborhoods influenced by the culture of São Paulo (city), street football scenes near clubs such as Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, where he joined the youth ranks. He progressed through youth systems that had produced players like Gilmar, Pelé, Tostão, and Rivelino contemporaries, training at facilities associated with clubs like Estádio do Pacaembu and participating in youth tournaments that featured teams such as São Paulo FC, Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, and Santos FC. Early coaches and scouts from institutions including Corinthians Youth Academy, Federação Paulista de Futebol, and local tournaments noticed his technique, crossing paths with players linked to Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas youth networks.

Club career

Rivellino's senior breakthrough occurred at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, where he featured alongside teammates who would interact within the Brazilian football ecosystem dominated by clubs such as Santos FC, São Paulo FC, and SE Palmeiras. His performances in the Campeonato Paulista against opponents including Guarani FC, Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, and Goiás Esporte Clube earned him national recognition. In the mid-1970s he transferred to Fluminense FC, competing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A against CR Vasco da Gama, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Cruzeiro, and Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense. At Fluminense he played under managers connected to coaching lineages passing through Telê Santana, Mário Zagallo, and Paulo César Carpegiani, contributing to state and national campaigns, facing rivals like Botafogo, Flamengo, and Vasco da Gama in derbies and encounters at venues such as Maracanã Stadium and Estádio Nilton Santos. His club career also intersected with international friendlies and tours involving clubs such as Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, and Boca Juniors.

International career

Rivellino was capped by the Brazil national football team, forming part of squads managed by figures like Mário Zagallo and competing in tournaments such as the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and qualification matches for FIFA events. He lined up with teammates including Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres, Clodoaldo, Jairzinho, Tostão, and Gerson in a team celebrated for victories over opponents like Italy national football team, England national football team, Uruguay national football team, and Argentina national football team. Rivellino contributed goals and assists in friendlies and competitive fixtures for confederation events overseen by CONMEBOL and FIFA, participating in matches hosted at arenas like Estadio Azteca, and taking part in tours through Europe, South America, and Asia against national and club sides including Portugal national football team, Netherlands national football team, Spain national football team, Argentina national under-20 team fixtures, and fixtures featuring players from AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Playing style and legacy

Rivellino's playing style combined left-footed long-range shooting, set-piece precision, and ball-skill innovations such as the "flip flap" used later by players like Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Jairzinho, Djalminha, and Robinho. Analysts compared aspects of his technique to contemporaries and successors including Garrincha, Zico, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Andrés Iniesta, and Lionel Messi in discussions about dribbling and vision. His legacy influenced coaching curricula at institutions like FIFA, UEFA, CONMEBOL, and national federations, and inspired players at clubs such as Santos FC, Corinthians, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, São Paulo FC, and academies modeled after systems associated with Cruzeiro and Grêmio. Media coverage in outlets linked to Placar (magazine), O Globo, and sports programs featuring presenters from TV Globo and ESPN Brasil cemented his status as an icon referenced alongside historic figures like Pelé and Garrincha.

Later life and coaching

After retiring, he engaged in activities linked to football development alongside personalities from clubs such as Corinthians', Fluminense', and institutions including CBF and youth projects tied to Federação Paulista de Futebol. He made appearances at veterans' matches and charity events alongside former teammates from Brazil national football team and guest players from clubs like Santos FC and Cruzeiro. Rivellino worked with coaching staffs and pundits connected to broadcasting platforms such as Rede Globo and ESPN Brasil, and participated in ambassadorial roles with organizations including FIFA-affiliated events, alumni tournaments, and community programs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Honors and achievements

His honors include club and international titles contested in competitions such as the Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and the FIFA World Cup (1970). Individual recognition from publications and institutions associated with FIFA, CONMEBOL, Placar (magazine), and national federations placed him on lists with players like Pelé, Garrincha, Zico, Romário, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. He has been inducted into halls of fame and received accolades from organizations including national federations and club honors from Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and Fluminense FC for his contributions to Brazilian football.

Category:Brazilian footballers Category:1946 births Category:Living people