The Hindu : Legends: Roberto Rivelino

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 25, 2002

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Sport - Football

Legends: Roberto Rivelino

Like every gifted player, Rivelino needed that timely stroke of luck to propel his career. It came during the preparation of the Brazilian team for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. The team Manager Joao Saldanha, whose policies and selection criteria were increasingly criticised, was replaced by Mario Zagalo, a man who had the reputation of being thorough and lucky in what he did. Zagalo made a few vital changes. One was in deciding on a longer use of Rivelino, where earlier he had often to be content with a dazzling one half.

Rivelino's thumping free kicks and long rangers, besides his bandit-like moustache made him somebody special on the football field. His dribbling skill was another plus point, particularly the `elastic dribble' he made famous. It consisted of running the foot over the top of the ball, making it appear to swerve one side before sending it the other way. A captain's dream man in that he could fill in any position and distinguish himself, he was bound to score with his repertoire of skills.

Born in Sao Paulo, Rivelino's early football experience was with Corinthians. His international debut was against Uruguay when he was 22. Rivelino's runs and missile-like long rangers marked him out as a huge prospect, particularly around the time when Pele had begun to show disenchantment in the wake of the heavy fouling. The need was for players who would stand up to such tactics and Brazil had a huge reputation to defend too. Known for his drilling of the boys in taking free kicks in different ways, Zagalo's interest in Rivelino was obvious. Starting with the 1970 World Cup, Rivelino played in two more. In all he represented his country in 96 internationals and scored 44 goals.

However, experts point to his debut World Cup in Mexico as his most dazzling ever not only because of his contribution but because Brazil won the cup for the third time and made the Jules Rimet Trophy the country's permanent treasure. Under Pele's watchful eye, Rivelino joined in perfect harmony with Gerson, Jairzinho and Tostao to form the most devastating attack Brazil ever had, be it in a set piece situation or in full swing of play. Consider this episode in a match against Czechoslovakia, which had taken an early lead to taunt the Brazilians. The rejoinder from Brazil was a Rivelino special, a swerving long shot that brooked no stopping. Brazil went on to win handsomely from there. Rivelino scored three goals in that competition.

Four years later in Germany, Brazil lacked the flair of earlier teams. Pele was missed and only Rivelino played to his potential. It was his lethal free kick that ended the run of East Germany but Brazil itself could not go far, finishing fourth. Rivelino was there for the next Cup also in Argentina but came in for notice for the wrong reason _ fitness. Overweight and not showing the same sharpness, he was kept on the bench for long periods.

Still he remained to see Brazil take the third place. At that juncture Rivelino decided to retire but not before becoming the most capped player for Brazil.

For ten seasons he remained with Corinthians but Rivelino's regret was that he could not help his team win the Sao Paulo championship. In the later years he took a million dollar contract with El Halal, a Saudi club. He needed that money. __ S.R. Suryanarayan.

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