24 years ago, Flamengo reached the fourth Brazilian title
Galinho's favorite national title was won with a victory over Internacional
By Official Website Team - in
Flamengo's greatest player in history celebrates a special title this Tuesday (13.12/1987). And anyone who thinks it's the Club World Cup, also won on this date, is mistaken. Zico, obviously, greatly values the most important trophy he won with the sacred mantle, but he holds the XNUMX Brasileirão with special affection.
In that year's Brazilian Championship, Zico was alongside young Flamengo stars like Jorginho, Leonardo, Zinho, Bebeto, and Renato Gaúcho, as well as the already experienced Leandro, Edinho, and Andrade. And the number 10 was already suffering from knee injuries, so much so that he had to overcome his limitations to play in Flamengo's final four games in the competition.
In the semifinals, against Atlético-MG, Zico managed to stay on the field for the full 90 minutes in the first leg at Maracanã. He was injured and, from then on, couldn't play the full game. Always substituted, he watched Flamengo's thrilling victories from the bench.
"Without a doubt, it's the Brasileirão I remember most fondly. It was my last title in this competition for Flamengo, and I had to overcome the pain in my knee. I remember I only played one full match in the last four games. I knew I had to have surgery, but I met with the club doctors and we agreed that I would stay until the end of the championship. The day after the final, I had surgery," explained Zico, recalling the difficult moments he experienced in the locker room.
"I got to halftime and my knee was already swollen. It was difficult, but it was worth every moment."
In the second leg of the semi-final, Zico was replaced by Henágio, at Mineirão, but he had already left his mark, contributing to the epic 3-2 victory (Bebeto and Renato Gaúcho completed the scoring).
In the two final games, against Inter, Galinho was replaced by Flávio, but the 1-1 draw, at Beira Rio, and the 1-0 victory, at Maracanã, guaranteed the title.
Contemporary publications say Zico watched the final minutes of the match from the players' entrance tunnel. As soon as the referee blew the whistle, "Galinho" broke into a smile and ran out, hugging all his teammates, as if he had won his first title wearing the sacred mantle.
In that year's Brazilian Championship, Zico was alongside young Flamengo stars like Jorginho, Leonardo, Zinho, Bebeto, and Renato Gaúcho, as well as the already experienced Leandro, Edinho, and Andrade. And the number 10 was already suffering from knee injuries, so much so that he had to overcome his limitations to play in Flamengo's final four games in the competition.
In the semifinals, against Atlético-MG, Zico managed to stay on the field for the full 90 minutes in the first leg at Maracanã. He was injured and, from then on, couldn't play the full game. Always substituted, he watched Flamengo's thrilling victories from the bench.
"Without a doubt, it's the Brasileirão I remember most fondly. It was my last title in this competition for Flamengo, and I had to overcome the pain in my knee. I remember I only played one full match in the last four games. I knew I had to have surgery, but I met with the club doctors and we agreed that I would stay until the end of the championship. The day after the final, I had surgery," explained Zico, recalling the difficult moments he experienced in the locker room.
"I got to halftime and my knee was already swollen. It was difficult, but it was worth every moment."
In the second leg of the semi-final, Zico was replaced by Henágio, at Mineirão, but he had already left his mark, contributing to the epic 3-2 victory (Bebeto and Renato Gaúcho completed the scoring).
In the two final games, against Inter, Galinho was replaced by Flávio, but the 1-1 draw, at Beira Rio, and the 1-0 victory, at Maracanã, guaranteed the title.
Contemporary publications say Zico watched the final minutes of the match from the players' entrance tunnel. As soon as the referee blew the whistle, "Galinho" broke into a smile and ran out, hugging all his teammates, as if he had won his first title wearing the sacred mantle.