4 of the Best Moments of Zico's Career

Zico is number 17 in 90min's Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time series

When the immortal Pele is describing you as the player who came closest to him over the course of his career, you're onto a winner.

There's only one man who can claim that distinction; the ineffable Zico. 

Though perhaps not as celebrated as some of the other major stars of his time, there were none more iconic or influential within the sport as the man who became synonymous with free-kicks, and once got so bored with how easy football is that he completely invented his own type of finish. 

Here are four of his greatest hits. 

​Inspiring Flamengo to the Intercontinental Cup

There was a brief period in the early 2000s when the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup ran in tandem, but for all intents and purposes, the former was the predecessor to the latter. And in the 1980s, it was a pretty big deal to all involved. 

The final of the tournament typically saw the best of South America take on the best of Europe at a time when there was little to split the continent in terms of quality. Winning it meant a lot, and Flamengo's 1981 victory over European champions Liverpool remains one of the proudest moments of the club's history. 

They were inspired by Zico, who played like a man possessed as he terrorised one of the greatest ever Liverpool defences. The Reds had won the English first division in five of the last seven seasons and were fresh off the back of their third European Cup in five years to this point, but the likes of Phil Thompson and Alan Hansen were no match for Zico on the day, who was named man of the match in his side's stunning 3-0 win. 

Breaking Records in 1982

The 1982 World Cup is widely remembered as the one that got away for Brazil. Many had the name of the side that boasted the legendary Socrates and Falcao written on the trophy before a ball was kicked, but a desperate stroke of bad luck saw them draw Italy and Argentina in the second group stage, and they crashed out to the Italians - who went on to win the tournament. 

That wasn't before Zico scored or assisted a World Cup record eight consecutive goals, however, helping Brazil to wins over the Soviet Union, Scotland, New Zealand and Argentina before a Paolo Rossi hat trick proved their undoing in a 3-2 defeat that is still remembered as one of the all-time great international matches. 

Free-Kick vs Scotland

Perhaps the most famous free-kick ever scored at a World Cup came as Zico equalised against Scotland in his side's second group game. 

An unbelievably clean hit from a central position nestled gently into Allan Rough's top left hand corner, and couldn't have been better placed had he thrown it in from half a yard out. Brazil, naturally, won the game 4-1. 

Patenting the Scorpion Kick 

For all the goals he scored at World Cups, in Brazil and in Italy, however, Zico's personal favourite goal remains one he scored for Kashima Antlers. 

And why wouldn't it be? The technique he pulled off, now universally known as the near-impossible 'scorpion kick' was like nothing ever seen to this point, and a fitting testament to his unprecedented ability.

90min's 'Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time' can be found here.

Number 50: Luka Modric

Number 49: John Charles

Number 48: Hugo Sanchez

Number 47: Jairzinho

Number 46: Omar Sivori

Number 45: Paolo Rossi

Number 44: Paul Breitner

Number 43: George Weah

Number 42: Kaka

Number 41: Lev Yashin

Number 40: Gunnar Nordahl

Number 39: Kevin Keegan

Number 38: Hristo Stoichkov

Number 37: Gianluigi Buffon

Number 36: Johan Neeskens

Number 35: Xavi Hernandez

Number 34: Luis Suarez

Number 33: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Number 32: Andres Iniesta

Number 31: Rivelino

Number 30: Bobby Moore

Number 29: Socrates

Number 28: Sandor Kocsis

Number 27: Lothar Matthaus

Number 26: Ronaldinho

Number 25: Ruud Gullit

Number 24: Bobby Charlton

Number 23: Giuseppe Meazza

Number 22: Raymond Kopa

Number 21: Romario

Number 20: Eusebio

Number 19: Marco van Basten

Number 18: George Best