For a third consecutive week we stay in Brazil (not a bad place to stay) as we continue our World Cup legends series.

This week, the man that inspired the rebellious nature in Diego Maradona. The man that helped one of the greatest become the greatest with his artistry and power on the pitch.

Roberto Rivelino also was one of the first football players to really make an impact crossing over from Futsal court to the grass pitch. He took the baton from Garrincha and took it to the next level. He also added a feature to the Brazilian game that very few had seen before- a potent freekick. His way of attacking the ball completely changed the way the way the football world saw freekicks. He was one to really break that mold and evolve and made Jogo Bonito not just street rough and technically pleasing to the eye; he made it elegant.

Rivelino had one of the most potent shots ever seen to that date.  Many claimed that he would tear up the ball.  He hit the ball so hard, they named his Patada Atomica (Atomic Kick).  One can only imagine what he would do with today's balls.  The older balls would move in ways that no one imagined those heavier balls being able to move.   He was just not only power.  He was accuracy in freekicks and penalties, making that much more feared.

He was the inventor of the Elastico and was a player that was ahead of his time. Arguably one of the top ten greatest player in the history of the game.

Rivelino was born in São Paulo on January 1st, 1946 and his youth was a rather normal one.  He would be disappointed in his short stint at Palmeiras but would be given a shot at Corinthians.  At O Timão he would become an absolute star although he would not win any titles of significance during his time at the Pacaembu.  Despite that shortcoming he would become the most famous player to have ever played at the Parque São Jorge.  He would become known as O Rei Do Parque, the "King of the Park".

His success with Corinthians was so great, that he earned a spot with the Brazilian national team at the tender age of 19.  He would not make up the 1966 side at the World Cup, but his name was part of the future of Brazilian football, and there was no doubt that he was going to take the place of a group like Vava and Garrincha that would no longer be there come Mexico '70.

For Rivelino, 1970 was his breakout year where he showed his stuff alongside Tostão, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, and Pelé and would be part of one of the greatest teams ever assembled as the Canarinha   became the first team to ever win the World Cup three times.

"Rivelino was everything I wanted to be as a footballer. I saw Pelé go one way and Rivelino the other... and I'd follow Rivelino.   Because he was a lefty.  Because he was elegant.  Because he was a rebel.  Because Rivelino embodied everything that I wanted to be as a footballer." - Diego Maradona.

At the club level, he would see his greatest success at Fluminense.  He was the heart and soul of the Maquina Tricolor that dominated in Rio during the mid-70's.   Flu won three straight titles and were established a dynasty that to this day remains part of club lore.

Rivelino would become the big star of the national team come 1974 as Pelé retired from the national team and he would take the mantle from him. 

He would remain at Corinthians for four seasons, but he would make a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal after the 1978 World Cup, where Brazil ended up in third place behind the Dutch and host nation Argentina. He would play in the Middle East for two more seasons and after that he would retire.

As a player, Rivelino would be among the most respected footballers ever to step onto the pitch. He was recognized as one of the four greatest Brazilian players ever; behind Pelé, Zico, and Garrincha. 

He was also considered among the 100 greatest players of the XXI century.

Roberto Rivelino was definitely a Rebel with a Cause.  His style of play opened the eyes of future generations of players... players like Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, among others.  

Next week... Uruguayan legend Ladislao Masurkewicz.

World Cup legends: Roberto Rivelino

Brazilian legend Garrincha (Wikimedia)

It is an utter shame to not have Garrincha's name pronounced in the same breath as Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Di Stefano by several experts. if you speak to make older journalists, they would say that Garrincha was better than any other player in world football.

Despite that, the Brazilian legend is respected for what he was able to do and became a symbol of an era for the game in that South American country.

His skill was unparalleled in every aspect. He was organized chaos, personified. His recklessness on the pitch complimented Pelé's technical perfection on the national team's attack. That duo became one of the most feared in world football. When coaches put both these two legends together on the pitch, Brazil never lost. They fed off each other the way two opposites never off of each other up to that point.

"Without Garrincha, I would have never been a three-time champion."-Pelé

One of the greatest masters of the ball at his feet, he brought the entire footballing world to its knees with his incredible pace, furious shot, and frenetic style which was part of the signature of Brazil's jogo bonito during the late 50's and in the early part of the 60's.

Unfortunately for him as well as fans all over, his style on the pitch was mild compared to his lifestyle off it.

Manuel Francisco Dos Santos was born on October 28, 1933 in Pau Grande in the state of Rio. From the start of his life he had to overcome several obstacles in order to play the game he loved.

At first site, Garrincha should have never been a footballer from a physical or mental standpoint. As a child he suffered for several pathologies. His feet were inverted 80 degrees and his right leg was two inches longer than his left. He also had scoliosis. These two conditions were exacerbated by a severe case of polio that left his legs in worse shape than before. The young Garrincha underwent several surgeries to rectify the problem but to no avail.


Prior to the 1958 World Cup, team doctor João de Carvalahaes mentioned that Garrincha was not fit to play football. According to de Carvalahaes he was "mentally weak and uncapable of playing in a group." Well, this was the doctor that also mentioned that most of the Brazilian team was malnourished and unable to take part in the World Cup.

In a way, for him at least, it would end up being a blessing in disguise as his leg movement drove defenders all over the planet crazy.
Manuel Francisco Dos Santos became Garrincha after one of his brothers compared him to the Amazonian bird that was "free, ugly, clumsy, but fast". This was part of the reason why Botafogo picked him up after seeing his antics with the factory team that he played for as a young man.

"Pelé was the best, but Garrincha was better. Pelé was a machine, but Garrincha was an artist. Garrincha was Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney, and a snake charmer all rolled into one." - Nilton Santos

He eventually made his debut at age 23 with Botafogo where his career went meteoric. He led O Glorioso to three Carioca titles and would reach his apex in 1962 as he became the best player in the world during the 1962 World Cup in Chile as he was selected hands down as the player of the tournament.

After being part of one of the most explosive offenses in football history, Garrincha carried the Canarinha as Brazil repeated as champs four years in the Andes. With Pelé injured, Garrincha along with Vavá and Mario Zagallo would defeat the host nation and a surprising Czech side en route to their second title. Until this day that Brazil team is the last one to have ever repeated as champs.

Although the 1962 team was not as dominant as its predecessor, they were still the top attraction from a football standpoint in a World Cup marred by violence and rough play.

After that Mané (as he was also called) saw his career diminish due to his battle with alcohol and other excessive . In 1964, he signed with Corinthians and then would play one match with Colombian side Junior in 1968 and eventually finish off his career with Olaria.

Off the pitch, he made headlines just as much as he did on it. He married legendary samba singer Elza Soares but between his alcohol addiction and extramarital affairs, his relationship ended. His personal and professional life were taking a downward spiral into oblivion.

After he divorced Soares, he married two more times. According to various articles he had 36 kids; nine of which he recognized as his own. Eventually he would die of cirrhosis of the liver in complete financial, emotional, mental, and physical ruin. Although he was in relative ruin, his funeral procession was among one of the most massive in the history of Brazil as millions fans of Botafogo and the Beautiful Game came out to pay their respects to their idol.

Garrincha's legacy lived on as he was a symbol of Brazilian flair both on and off the pitch. In 1974, there was a stadium built in Brasilia named after the former Botafogo star and he was named the greatest player to have ever played for his beloved club.

Brazilian society always had a soft spot for one of its greatest legends. In 2003, Milton Alencar directed Garrincha, Estrela Solitaria and was released to a great deal of mixed reviews but experienced a great deal of popularity in Brazil as well as in Latin America.

In 2004 he was named the 8th greatest player to ever walk the earth. Two years later he would be declared the 4th best South American player behind teammate Pelé, and Argentines Diego Maradona and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Next week... Diego Maradona's inspiration.

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World Cup Legends: Garrincha

This weekly feature is here to teach about the true greats of The Beautiful Game and how they are interconnected through generations of stories, feats, and tall tales.

These are the players that have made the game what it is today.

These are... World Cup Legends
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If Beckenbauer brought the position of the libero to the forefront of the world game, Gaetano Scirea was the one that made the position exclusively Italian per excellence. He took the libero position to the next level, making it the first offensive option instead of strictly being the last bastion on defense.

Scirea's grace and style made him the player that raised the bar for defenders like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini to take into the future and give the position glamour. Scirea was pure class on that field as he was the fulcrum of the Vecchia Signora backline during the 70's and for the Italian national team in 1982.

His ability to find the ball, clear danger, and deftly make the first pass on a breakout was what added a new dimension to Italian catenaccio. More amazingly was that he was capable during his entire career to never earn a red card, especially in the position that he played for more than 14 years.

More importantly he was a reflection of the team. Intangibles like his calm attitude were infectious. There was no doubt that he was a leader of not just a group, but of men. Former teammate Dino Zoff mentioned that whenever players were nervous, "...they came to "Switzerland". (nickname for Scirea and Zoff's room in Italian bunker in Spain '82). It was the most tranquil place around."

Gaetano Scirea was born in Cernusco sul Naviglio, Italy on May 25th, 1953. From a young age he showed the skills to be a top finisher at forward, but ran through a period of hard luck as he only scored one goal in 58 matches with Atalanta. His first two years were frustrating offensively, but he showed a great deal of potential as a defender.
Juventus coach Čestmír Vycpálek requested young "Gai" to come to Turin and become the final piece to that formidable bianconeri Iron Curtain that had legends like Antonio Cabrini, Claudio Gentile, Antonello Cuccureddu, and Francesco Morini. This group of players would also be the backbone of the Italian national team. Add to that the presence of the eternal Dino Zoff under the sticks and capocannoniere Roberto Bettega as the primary scoring option up front and Juventus were one of the most dominant teams ever.

While Zoff, Cabrini, Tardelli, and Bettega got the headlines and mercurial Gentile received the ire of opposing fans, Scirea was the ice cold leader that kept the Juventus dynasty alive even when players like Platini, Boniek, Rossi, and took over in the early and mid 80's. Scirea was the continuous figure in the Juventus dynasty.

Scirea complemented his backline perfectly and was the player that gave synchronicity to the defense. He also gave Juve's play a particular rhythm which no one was able to keep up with.

National Team callup
Let's not kid ourselves, Scirea's position was not the most envious for any upcoming player. For a 21-year-old kid to replace a legend like Sandro Salvadore was going to be a challenge and he was up to it. So much so was his quiet confidence that by 1975, Scirea would earn a call up from national team coach Enzo Bearzot.

"Men like Scirea no longer exist. He was always ready to give you a hand, not only on the pitch"- Antonio Cabrini.

Italy would be left at the altar on several occasions in the late 70's and early 80's, but still impressed with their compact style of play. Although they would defeat eventual champs Argentina in the World Cup, their results would be disappointing as they would end up in fourth place.

After ending up in fourth place in the European Championships in 1980, Italy came to Spain in 1982 with hopes of winning their third World Cup. Things did not go too well at first as they drew their first three group stage matches against Poland, Peru, and Cameroon.

Poland, who virtually brought back all of their stars from the 1978 World Cup, would end up winning the group and things looked bleak for the Azzurri as they would be grouped with defending champs Argentina and prohibited favorites Brazil who had players the likes of Zico, Falcão, Junior, Socrates, Toninho Cerezo, and Eder. Italy would defeat Argentina and then see the verdeamarelha dismantle the Argentines 3-1 and young phenom Diego Maradona bow out in ungracious fashion.

Brazil needing only a draw face Italy and that encounter would end up being a football classic. It was Paolo Rossi time in the World Cup as he would score the next five goals for the Italians in the next two matches. Although the Juventus poacher was getting all the plaudits for his play, it was Scirea the most consistent player in the tournament.

Scirea's Italy would face Poland and fellow teammate Zbigniew Boniek once again and Rossi would be the star of the game as he scored a brace and led the Azzurri to an eventual showdown with the strong German side. Germany came into the final with an emotional win against Michel Platini's France, but would prove too drained to compete against the inspired Italians.

Rossi would score a sixth time and Marco Tardelli would help the Italian and Juventus cause with goals in the final. Alessandro Altobelli would seal the deal for Enzo Bearzot's side as Dino Zoff and Gaetano Scirea would finally celebrate the biggest prize in their respective careers.

Scirea would also be part of the Italian national team in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, but they would exit the tournament in second round after losing to France 2-0 thaks to goals by Michel Platini and Yannick Stopyra. He would then retire from the national team with one of the most impressive international resumes in Italian football history.

Juventus would continue their winning ways in the Scirea era as they would win eight more titles in the next three years. La Vecchia Signora dominated their league and were perennial powers but still had one more title to win- the European Cup. They would face defending champions Liverpool in Brussels, Belgium in a match that was anticipated to be a clash of titans, unfortunately the pre-game clash between fans would make this evening at Heysel Stadium a dark day for world football. Those events overshadowed the 1-0 result that favored Juventus in the end.

After slowing down considerably and his powerful runs on attack diminished,"Gai" decided to hang up his boots in 1988. He would go into an adminstrative role with Juventus immediately after as a player scout. Unfortunately for the football world, Scirea would tragically die in a horrific accident on a scouting trip to Poland.

Scirea's legacy is one of greatness both on and off the pitch. He is one of nine players in European football history to win every single title available to a professional player. He is also one of five (including teammates Stefano Tacconi, Cabrini, and Sergio Brio) to win the three big trophies in European football.

Upon his death, Juventus fans dedicated the Curva Sud at the Estadio Dell'Alpi as the Curva Scirea. Even former national team coach Enzo Bearzot proposed that the Italian number 6 jersey be retired by the Azzurri. That request would end up being rejected by FIFA.

Italian football set up an award in his name in 1992 to award a personality for their dedication to the game as. This year's recipient will be Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Next week, Paulo Roberto Falcão

World Cup Legends: Gaetano Scirea

When you mention feared German strikers, the next player to come out of anyone's mouth after Gerd Müller would have to be Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. During the early part of the 1980's Rummenigge was one of the best players in the world. He was being spoken in the breath as players like Rossi, Platini, Zico, Falcão, and Maradona.

His uncanny combination of pace and power, goalscoring ability and passing precision, and an atypical unselfishness in scoring opportunities made him one of the most dangerous and exciting players to have ever played in the World Cup. Just ask Mexico.

The great German forward was born in Lippstadt, Germany on September 25th, 1955. After developing into one of the young bright stars in a regional amateur, Bayern Munich saw him blossom into best German player of his generation. Although his rise tot he top would not be of the meteoric type, there would be one coach him take that great leap forward.

The Csernai years
When he arrived to Bayern, Pal Csernai saw that the young Rummenigge was rarely being used as a scorer. The Bavarian giants were using the youngster's dribbling skills. Csernai took advantage of this and placed Rummenigge as an natural striker and the goal began to pour in.

By the 1979-80 season, Rummenigge was the league's leading scorer and one of the most feared offensive threats in world football. That 1980 season would be the most magical season for the young man from Westphalia. He would lead the Bundesliga in scoring yet again and would lead West Germany to their second European Cup in 1980.

Alongside Paul Breitner, Bayern Munich became the most dominant team in Germany and a perennial contender in international play.

His form during the season earned him all individual honors available. He was being considered as the best footballer in the world behind Diego Maradona.

For the German superstar, this was his most brilliant phase of his career. He would leave the club as one of the most successful players to have played for the German side having won two league titles and two German cups in addition to the 1980 European title.

Rummenigge made a record move to Inter in 1984. He was looked upon as the final piece of the puzzle that would be able to end the domination of La Vecchia Signora of Platini, Boniek, Rossi, and Scirea. Although things looked good for the Neroazzurri after scoring 36 goals in 83 matches, but he was hampered by injuries.

If there was one thing that does not allow people to place Rummenigge among players like Beckenbauer, Matthäus, Breitner, and Müller was the fact that he was not able to win the World Cup.

After players like Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, and Uli Stielike were no longer the heart and soul of Die Mannschaft; Rummenigge was one of the players that ushered in a new generation of West German player that included Harald Schumacher, Felix Magath, Lothar Matthäus, Pierre Littbarski, and Hans-Peter Briegel.

During his time the national team went through some very high points and historic lows.

After being eliminated in the second round of the 1978 World Cup, they were able to win the 1980 European Championship courtesy of Horst Hrubesch's brace against Belgium.

Rummenigge would start out the World Cup in Spain in good form as he would score in the opener; that would not suffice as the Germans would fall to Algeria 2-1. The Germans would get back on track as their biggest threat continued to show why he was one of the best in the game with a hat-trick against Chile.

Struck down with a fever he was not able to be a starter in the semifinals against France. After ending the first 90 minutes even at a goal a piece, France jumped out to a 2-1 lead in extra time with goal by Marius Trésor. At this point the game seemed over and the only major dent that was made was in Patrick Battiston's face by Harald Schumacher.

This is when coach Jupp Derwall inserts the ailing Rummenigge and the game changed, although not before France scored third off a strike by Alain Giresse. The Bayern Munich star would answer back four minutes later and then he would be an important player in Klaud Fischer's equalizer in the 108th minute.

Then it was all Schmacher as they would move on to the finals. In the end it would not be enough as the Azzurri would raise their third World Cup behind the scoring of Paolo Rossi and Marco Tardelli.

After failing to qualify for the 1984 European Championships,West Germany came in to Mexico as a big favorite to win the World Cup. They would once again face France in the semifinals. Just like France was Brazil boogeyman, West Germany was France's. The difference is that this time around Rummenigge was not the factor that he was four years earlier.

West Germany would fall behind against Argentina 2-0 and the player he was always mentioned alongside- Diego Maradona. If there was a consolation, it was that Rummenigge was the catalyst behind the West German comeback as he scored the team's first goal, his last goal with the national side. Rudi Völler would equalize, but any chances of a title were quashed by a brilliant Maradona pass into space to Jorge Burruchaga who would score the title winner for the Albiceleste.

Rummenigge was a player that was too young to be a part of the 1974 side and retired only to see the Germans win the 1990 cup against the Argentines. He is fifth all-time on the German national team scoring list with 45 goals behind Jürgen Klinsmann (47), Rudy Völler (47), Miroslav Klose (48), and the iconic Müller (68).

Rummenigge retired in 1989 after being the Swiss league's top scorer while he played with Servette.

Retirement years
After four years of being in the broadcast booth, Rummenigge was invited to become vice president of Bayern Munich. He was then promoted to become Chairman of the Board in 2002.

Resumé
Titles
Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga
• European Cup
• Intercontinental Cup
• German Cup

• EuroCup 1980

• Named to FIFA 100 (2004)
  
• Bundesliga top scorer (1980, '81, '84)
• German Footballer of the year (1980)
• Swiss league top scorer (1989)
  
• European Footballer of the year (1980, '81)

World Cup Legends: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

When talking about Chilean football we all talk about the recent stars like Zamorano, Salas, Suazo, and a host of others. The one that is rarely mentioned by the younger generations is arguably the greatest player to have worn the red jersey- Elías Figueroa.

He was arguably one of the best defenders of the 60's and 70's as he anchored the Chilean backline in . Figueroa is mentioned in the same breath as contemporaries such as Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Ruud Krol, Giacinto Facchetti, Bobby Moore, and Daniel Passarella as well as bar setters like Franco Baresi, and Paolo Maldini. He was also a proponent of coming out with elegance and with the ball under control in various situations instead of booting the ball into the 30th row.

His three World Cup appearances made him a very popular name being uttered by attackers all over the world, especially in the 1966 World Cup.

There was no wonder why he was called the "Great Red Wall". During his 16-year career he was the anchor for various defenses throughout South America and was the face of La Roja for well over a generation. His road to immortality and his image of being a strong, elegant leader was the end product of childhood that saw lots of sickness.

Elías was born in Valparaíso, Chile on October 24, 1946. Although he was sick as a child, his spirit never detracted him from what his goal actually was. He suffered from heart problems which manifested themselves in symptoms similar to asthma. He took up the sport at age eight when his family moved to Quipqué.

He began to stand out as and was given the opportunity to play with the big local club, Santiago Wanderers. After lack of playing time he would go on loan to Unión La Calera where he would receive the nickname "Don Elías" at just the tender age of 17.



Inter days
His arrival at Inter was one that saw him turn up into an idol. He played on a side that included a rising star named Falcão who would eventually become King of Rome. Figueroa shored the backfield while Falcão was a threat on the offensive end. His shining moment was in the final week of the 1975 tournament when he scored the legendary "Gol Iluminado" against Cruzeiro to assure the Porto Alegre side their first-ever league title.

"He's one of the greatest of all-time."- Franz Beckenbauer.

A Strike-ing presence
After leaving Palestino, Figueroa decided to try his luck in the NASL where he would team up with Teófilo Cubillas, Gerd Müller, Jan van Beveren, and English midfielder Ray Hudson.

There he would help the South Florida side win the Southern division and reach the league semifinals. A great person to bring back as soon as the new NASL season begins in order to give the team a local boost.

World Cup Legends: Elías Figueroa

Before Alex Aguinaga, there was Alberto Spencer. If there was a player that was a true ambassador to Ecuadorian football it was him as he was the keystone in one of the most dominant teams of the 1960's in world football.

The Ecuadorian international can be considered among one of the greatest players to have never participated in a World Cup. His records haven't been touched even after close to four decades. Known as one of the most dominant goalscorers of his era, Alberto Spencer terrified defenses during the late 50's and throughout the 60's.

A native of Ancón, whose parents were Jamaican of English descent, Spencer showed a great deal of promise as a youngster. He had all the gifts that any striker would dream of- ambidextrous, fast, and with the ability to finish. He was setting the local league on fire with his local club, Los Andes, and made a name for himself there. He quickly was picked up by Everest where he became the star and caught the eye of the Tricolor. Scoring at a blistering pace allowed him to earn a spot in the Ecuadorian side that participated in the 1959 South American tournament. His performance in his backyard caught the eye of Uruguayan side Peñarol, thus starting one of the great love affairs of South American football. He would earn a hat-trick in his first-ever match with the Carbonero against Argentine side Atlanta. He would follow that up with a brace against Tigre.

He played for Peñarol for almost a decade and scored 326 goals and would have one of the most illustious resumes in club history. He would pass the baton to a youngster on the bench that would continue the Peñarol successes and would eclipse Spencer to a certain level- Fernando Morena. He did play for Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in 1964 in a friendly between the Charrúas and England. and the home side won 2-1, with a goal by Spencer in the losing cause. If there was a year in which Spencer really stood out was in 1966. At this point, he was already being offered Uruguayan citizenship and would have had the chance to play with La Celeste in England that year; but declined the offer. He was also being considered for international duty by the English national team due to his ancestry. Still he would lead Peñarol to one of the most historic comebacks in Copa Libertadores history against Argentine side River Plate. The Argentine took a 2-0 lead in the third and final match of the series between the two sides, only to see Peñarol storm back and win the match 4-2 lead by a Spencer brace.



The aurinegros would also win the Intercontinental Cup after beating Real Madrid in both legs. Spencer would once again be the hero after he scored three of the four goals that the South Americans scored throughout both legs of that memorable final.

In 1970, Spencer left Peñarol to return to his native Ecuador and play his final two years with Barcelona. He would help them earn the title in the 1972 season as he would say goodbye to the game he loved so dearly. So 510 goals later, Spencer retired and decided to move back to Montevideo.

After retiring, he would work as a Ecuadorian diplomat in Uruguay. He was named the Consul of Ecuador in Uruguay in 1982 and was able to raising his family in Montevideo.

Spencer died in Cleveland Ohio on November 3rd, 2006 due to heart complications that had affected him for well over two decades. His body was taken to Guayaquil for a special wake that lasted a few hours. He was then transported on a military plane to Montevideo where he was given one final tribute by Uruguayan football fans, especially those of his beloved Peñarol and he would then be lied rest in his second country.

Resume

Titles
Seven Uruguayan titles (1960-62, 64-65, 67-68)
Three Copa Libertadores titles (1960-61, 66)
Two Intercontinental titles (1960, 66)
One Ecuadorian league title (1971)

Personal
Four-time leading scorer in Uruguayan league
Two-time leading scorer in Ecuadorian league
Ecuadorian Footballer of the Century
All-time leading scorer in Copa Libertadores history (54)
11 caps with Ecuadorian national team
5 caps with Uruguayan national team
Ranked 20th in All-Time South American Footballers of the 20th Century

Football Legends: Alberto Spencer