Sports Nicknames - Zico, White Pele

Zico, whose full name is Arthur Antunes Coimbra, is one of the greatest footballers in Brazilian history.



Zico is remembered as a great playmaker, and also for his vision, dribbling skills, and precise free kicks. He was often called "White Pele" due to his incredible technique and football intelligence.

He joined Flamengo, a top club in Brazil, as a youth player. He made his professional debut in 1971, and over the next decade, he became the symbol of the club.

During his time at Flamengo, Zico won four Brazilian championships (Brasileirao) and led the club to its first-ever Copa Libertadores title in 1981. That same year, Flamengo went on to win the Intercontinental Cup by defeating Liverpool, making Flamengo the best club in the world at the time.

Zico played for the Brazilian national team during what many consider a golden era of Brazilian football. He was part of the 1978, 1982, and 1986 World Cup squads. Although Brazil did not win the World Cup during during those years, the 1982 squad, in particular, is still remembered as one of the most entertaining and skillful teams in World Cup history.

In 1983, Zico moved to Europe and joined Udinese in Italy's Serie A. He stayed there for 2 years and impressed the Italian crowds. He returned to Flamengo after and became the club's all-time top scorer.

After retiring, Zico turned to coaching and management. He managed teams like Fenerbahce in Turkey, CSKA Moscow in Russia, and the Japanese national team, among others. He was particularly influential in Japan, both as a player and coach, and helped popularize the sport there.

--

Click for more Sports Nicknames