Career at a Glance

48
International Goals
1976-1986
Brazil Career
FIFA 100
Greatest Living Players

Arthur Antunes Coimbra (born March 3, 1953, in Rio de Janeiro), popularly known as Zico, is a former professional football player. He was often called as the "White Pele". He first played professional soccer in Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (1967 – 1983, 1985-1989), then Udinese (1983-1985) in Italy, Kashima Antlers (1991-1994) in Japan, and many more. Zico played for Brazil from 1976-1986. When he retired, he became a coach, managing several teams, including Kashima Antlers, CFZ, CSKA Moscow, and FC Goa since 2014.

Zico was in charge of FC Goa as manager until 2016, where he played 47 matches. He was appointed as the Technical Director of Kashima Antlers from 2018 to 2022. Then, in 2022, he was appointed as the Advisor of Kashima Antlers. In 2025, Zico was appointed as the club representative of Flamengo. It is important to note that Zico was the manager of Japan from 2002 to 2006, where he played 71 matches.

Greatest Sporting Achievements

Zico scored a total of 48 goals when he played for Brazil, becoming the fourth-highest goalscorer for his national team. He became eight in the FIFA Player of the Century in 1999, part of the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. Pele even regarded Zico as the best player ever, saying:

"Throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico."
— Pelé, on Zico's exceptional talent

Why Was He So Good?

Zico was a very creative player. He was gifted with outstanding technical skill and vision, considered to be the 70s and 80s' most skilled finisher and best passer. Zico is the best playmaker in the sport and has performed the best free kicks of all time. He is able to strike the ball in any direction.

Technical Mastery

Outstanding technical skill and vision made Zico the most skilled finisher of his era.

Free Kick Specialist

Performed some of the best free kicks of all time with ability to strike in any direction.

Creative Playmaker

Considered the best playmaker of the 70s and 80s with exceptional passing ability.

What You May Not Know

  • Zico founded his own team in 1997 naming it "Rio de Janeiro Futebol Clube".
  • He played in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups for Brazil but didn't win.
  • In 1990, Zico became very popular in Brazil that he became the National Secretary of Sports.
  • Brazilian singer Jorge Benjor wrote a song in Zico's honor because he was greatly inspired from his achievements.
  • Outside Kashima Soccer Stadium is a statue of the Brazilian footballer/coach.