Background
Rivellino was born on 1 January 1946, in Brazil. He is the son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena (Isernia).
Rivellino
Roberto Rivellino - Corinthians
Corinthians
Rivellino tries to get the better of Zaire's Lobilo Boba at the 1974 World Cup
Carlos Alberto, Pelé and Rivellino celebrate celebrate winning the 1970 World Cup
Roberto Rivelino of Fluminense in 1976
Rivelino in the Fluminense
Rivelino in the Fluminense
Rivellino 1978 World Cup
Rivellino posing for a photo with a young Al-Hilal fan.
Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
Roberto Rivellino - Corinthians
Corinthians
Roberto Rivelino of Fluminense in 1976
Rivelino in the Fluminense
Rivelino in the Fluminense
Rivellino posing for a photo with a young Al-Hilal fan.
Rivellino 1978 World Cup
Rivellino tries to get the better of Zaire's Lobilo Boba at the 1974 World Cup
Carlos Alberto, Pelé and Rivellino celebrate celebrate winning the 1970 World Cup
Rivellino was born on 1 January 1946, in Brazil. He is the son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena (Isernia).
The Brazilian started as a futsal player at Clube Atletico Barcelona. When he moved to Corinthians he decided to start as a professional footballer and quickly became fans favorite.
In 1974 Roberto was signed by Fluminense where he turned into the biggest star in the squad and helped the team to clinch the Rio de Janeiro league championship in 1975 and 1976. He made more than 150 appearances for the team, scoring 53 goals.
In 1978 the midfielder joined Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabi where he played till his retirement in 1981. Rivellino played a pivotal role in Brazilian campaign in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, scoring 3 goals. He had distinctive playing style with effective long-distance free kicks, superb passing and excellent ball controlling skills.
After Roberto's professional retirement, Rivellino started a career as a football commentator and coach (he has managed Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan's J. League). Rivellino further represented Brazil in the 1989 edition of the World Cup of Masters, scoring in the final against Uruguay.
He is remembered as one of the stars of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup winning team. A former attacking midfielder, he is widely regarded as one of the most graceful football players ever, and among the best midfielders of his generation. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.
Regarding the 2014 World Cup held in his country, Rivellino criticized the inclusion of the Amazonian city of Manaus with its stadium Arena da Amazônia in the hosting venues, saying "it’s absurd to play in Manaus. You start sweating the moment you leave the locker room".
Quotations:
"He (Sérgio Echigo) says now that he invented it, but I perfected it"
—Rivellino on the "flip flap".
Physical Characteristics:
Rivellino was famous for his large moustache.
His height is 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in).
He is a former Brazilian professional footballer.
