ROBERTO RIVELINO

Born in 1946

Played in the Brazilian club Corinthians and Fluminense, club Gil Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). In the years 1968-1978 had 94 caps for Brazil.

Roberto Rivelin was born on 1 January, the day when, as commonly believed, are born the happiest and luckiest people. And with regard to the outstanding Brazilian football this sign often reaffirmed.

Worth at least its a miracle goal scored in 1974 at the Gates "America" with which the club Rivelin Corinthians converged in the current calendar match. Goal was scored . . . at the fourth second game. As soon as the ball was played in midfield, Rivelin noticed that the keeper of "America" is still keen on communicating with the press photographers, located at its gates. Without hesitating, the footballer Corinthians struck directly from the central circle and the ball, describing a high arc, was in the grid.

However, with the official "registration" of such an achievement Rivelin no luck. In the Guinness Book of Records listed the fact that on Dec. 6, 1995 Australian footballer Damian Moore scored by 3. 69 seconds after the start of the match Edelayd City - Sydney United.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

Such a precise measurement was made on video games. Later it was reported that Brazilian striker Junior Club America Belo Horizonte, "Fred has surpassed the record by scoring a goal kick from the center circle after 3. 53 seconds after the initial whistle. Meanwhile, "timing" goal Rivelin to within hundredths of a second one, of course, did not produce, so that is not excluded that the absolute record holder still world famous Brazilian soccer player Roberto Rivelin.

But, of course, the biggest success of his life has become a game in the Brazil team at the World Championships in 1970 in Mexico when the Brazilians won the title of champions for the third time. Rivelin fought for victory next to Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson - and every game was worthy of his great partners. Not without reason, when the championship is over, it was included in the symbolic team.

He acted in place of left midfielder, actively involved in the attack, and managed anywhere and everywhere. His long-distance transmission partners with his left wing was unmistakable. When the opponent's attacks, he always managed to withdraw to protect and, without sparing himself, the battle against a rival, acting tough and uncompromising.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

And the main offensive weapon was a consummate Rivelin hit his left leg, having a really cannon force.

He demonstrated it in the first match of group tournament. The score was 1:0 in favor of the national team of Czechoslovakia, when the 24 th minute free kick punched Brazilians. Next to the "wall" of Czechoslovak players got Jairzinho. Rivelin cannon strike sent the ball straight at him but at the last moment Jairzinho jumped aside. The ball, having just very tightly with the "wall", sunk into the net.

The same cannon blow, but already in the game, with the filing of Pele, roll the ball to him in jeopardy, Rivelin scored his goal in the match and one-fourth of the final qualifier against Peru. Very similar goal, again with the filing of Pele, who gave the ball back unexpectedly, Rivelin scored in the semifinal match against Uruguay.

And in the final match against Italy is already Rivelin said Pele "courtesy" - with his left wing hung a ball to the goal keeper Italians Albertozi not where it was Pele, but to the point where "the king of football" had to be a moment later.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

And Pele really got the ball and in the high jump head sent him to the gates, open an account. In the final match of the Rivelin and he could score a goal but the ball hit the cannon was sent from the penalty area in the perimeter "wall", hit the woodwork. However, the goals scored Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto, and already have left the Italian team from stone to stone - the Brazilians have won with a score of 4:1.

But it is not even Scoring draw and strokes - the whole game Rivelin at the World Cup was so powerful and at the same time thin, that after the final match of the Italian newspapers wrote with regret: if he was not playing in the Brazilian national team, but the Italian team, while course of the match probably would have been otherwise. Reasons for this assumption, incidentally, were quite compelling - Rivelin grandfather was Italian, who at the beginning of XX century moved to Brazil. But stories, including football, no ifs: Roberto Rivelin was born in Sao Paulo and became a great Brazilian soccer player.

He began playing at the club Corinthians, though at first tried in "Palmeiras, where he was sent to parents, bolevshie precisely for this club.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

But, as often happens with great players, "Palmeiras" he did not come, although later the leaders of the club certainly regretted the error of their breeders. Whatever it was, Rivelin played in Corinthians thirteen years. In 1968 he made his official debut in the Brazilian national team - the first game held against Uruguay in Montevideo.

And in November the same year he played in the match against Brazil against the world team, which included, among other great players was Franz Beckenbauer. After the game, Kaiser Franz said: "Before, everyone knew that Brazil is Pele. Now we know that apart from Pele in Brazil, there is also Rivelin. The next time the Rivelin and Beckenbauer were destined to meet and at the World Championships in 1970, but directly towards the Brazil and West Germany did not cross, because the German team defeated the Italians at the famous semi-final match, when scored, like a horn of plenty, just rained down in extra time - 3:4.

After a superb victory at the World Championships in Mexico Rivelin was involved in two world championships. But in 1974 the championship of Brazil in Germany national team has little resemblance to the great team four years ago.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

No longer played Pele, announced the completion of performances for the national team, and all manner of teams has changed - it was not subtle elegance of the former, which was peppered with an almighty power, but there was no inherent stiffness of the Brazilians. After losing the splendid at that time, the Dutch national team - 0:2, the national team of Brazil was able to claim only a third place, but here lost against Poland - 0:1.

But third place was won in the next championships in 1978, held in Argentina. Match for him was like a repetition of the final 8-year-old - Brazil's national team met with the Italian team. It was won with a score of 2:1, which many contributed to his game and Rivelin. This match was his last in the national team of Brazil.

However, the entire football career Rivelin already coming to a close. By this time he changed his club and in 1975 played for Fluminense. And after the World Cup and did finish the game went to Saudi Arabia. Needless to say, not the least role in this played a fabulous fees, which were ready to pay the Brazilian star owners club Gil Riyadh.

Photo — «Roberto Rivelino»

Twice with Rivelin club became champion of the country and once won the Cup of the King of Saudi Arabia.

Returning to Brazil, Rivelin became a commentator on one of Brazilian television channels and does not leave this activity until now. In addition, even long before he came here and what kind of business: it bought gas station. She brought considerable revenue - all tried to fill up here, in hopes to catch the famous owner. And Rivelin sometimes really for the fun of himself served clients who were happy to talk with him.

Tried it myself and coaching career - in particular, coached a club in Japan - but without much success. But Rivelin organized in Sao Paulo, two children's soccer school, which work to this day.