ROBERTO RIVELINO

Date Of Birth : 1 January 1946
Position : Attacking Midfielder
Nation : Brazil
Height : 173 cm
Major Club : Corinthians, Fluminese
Caps : 92 Games (26 Goals)
Professional Score Record : 194 Goals/ 629 Games
World Cup Participation : 1970, 1974, 1978 (15 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Brazil State Championship
International Honours : 1970 FIFA World Cup Winners
1978 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1977 Silver Ball South American Footballer of The Year
2 Times Bronze Ball South American Footballer of The Year (1973, 1976)
Brazil Football Museum Hall of Fame

Roberto Rivelino is one of the most recognized players in the 1970 World Cup Champion Brazil team. He was famous for his extremely potent left-foot shot, thunderous long-range free kicks, excellent long passes, quick thinking, distinct way of handling the ball and large moustache. He also invented a football move called the "Elastico", also known as "flip flap", famously copied by Ronaldinho, Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years. He is widely regarded as one of the most graceful footballers ever, and is sometimes ranked as the 4th best ever Brazilian, after Pelé, Zico and Garrincha, as well as one of the best midfielders the world has ever seen. Rivelino played for Corinthians during the most troubled periods in the history of the club, didn’t won any state trophy more than two decades and this reason effect him never won first place in any individual awards. He later move on Fluminense and finally won state trophies. He was a key player for Brazil to reach semi-final in World Cup two times during the 1970s. Aside from a few achievement in club level, Rivelino is totally underrated not included in World Cup 1970 all star team.