Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Zico (real name Arthur Antunes Coimbra) was born on March 3, 1953, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A playmaker and lethal finisher known for being nicknamed “The White Pelé.” Zico has been legendary for football over the decades, especially in the 1970s and 1980s.
Match Records
Zico -Never played in Europe but is the greatest in Brazil and the biggest legend at Flamengo with stints in Italy and Japan. He had a fantastic career at both club and international level, with many records and awards to show for it.
Clubs:
- Flamengo (1971-1983, 1985-1989)
- Udinese (1983-1985)
- Kashima Antlers (1991-1994)
National Team:
- Brazil (1976-1986)
Career Achievements
Flamengo games: 731
- Flamengo goals: 508 goals
Udinese (Apps): 53
- Udinese goals: 30 goals
Brazil caps: 71
- Brazil goals: 48 goals
Goal-Scoring Records
| Team | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Flamengo | 731 | 508 |
| Udinese | 53 | 30 |
| Kashima Antlers | 65 | 54 |
| Brazil | 71 | 48 |
Zico is a natural goal-scorer. He was a consistent and high-volume scorer on successful teams, and he was also an adept playmaker who made his teammates look better.
Major Wins
- Brazilian Championships: 4 titles with Flamengo (1980, 1982, 1983, 1987)
- Copa Libertadores: 1981 (Flamengo)
- Intercontinental Cup: 1981 (Flamengo)
- Japanese League Cup: 1 title with Kashima Antlers (1993)
Zico is widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in Brazilian football and even though he never won a World Cup, the former Flamengo star displayed some delightful technical skills and vision which changed that game back then. He went on to become one of the most celebrated players in World Cup history for his displays with Brazil, most notably at the 1982 edition.
Breaking News and Recent Developments
Consequently, even though Zico bowed out in 1994, he was never far from the picture. He also worked as a manager and coach in football, with his managing for Japan and Iraq, among others, as well as a coach of CSKA Moscow. Zico recently has been involved in working to develop football talents in Brazil and Japan through his academy. He still regularly features as an expert in Brazilian media and never misses a chance to fight for the standard of football in Brazil.
In 2023, Flamengo erected a statue of Zico at the Maracanã Stadium in his honor, to commemorate his legendary status for the club. He also made waves by critiquing the commercial nature of modern football, warning that the game was losing its soul and failing in its moral duty to fans.
Family and Personal Life
Zico hails from a football family. Zico had 3 brothers, Antunes, Edu and Nando, all of whom were professional footballers with Zico being the most successful. In 1975, Zico married Sandra Carvalho, with whom he has three children: Bruno, Thiago and Junior Coimbra. The younger Thiago followed in his father’s footsteps, making it a professional. The Coimbra family has stuck together and Zico´s contribution to sport goes beyond his wonderful football schools, as the media appearances are still there.
Zico is a man who lives by his humility and dedication to the game. He has steered clear of the controversies and still in his single-minded focus on grooming young talent. One of the positive aspects of his foundation and football schools in Brazil and Japan is a focus on sportsmanship, education
Net Worth
At the time of 2024, Zico has an estimated net worth of $25 million. He has made money from his successful playing career, managerial roles, endorsements, and media appearances. On top of that, his Brazilian football academy is also bringing a lot of money in.
