Zico (footballer)

Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [aʁˈtuʁ ɐ̃ˈtũnis koˈĩbɾɐ], born 3 March 1953), better known as Zico ([ˈziku]), is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. Often called the "White Pelé",^[2] he was arguably the world's best player of the late 1970s and early 80s. A creative playmaker with excellent technical skills, vision and an eye for goal,^[3][4][5] he is also regarded as one of the best free kick specialists in history, able to bend the ball in all directions.^[6] By one estimate, Zico is the player that scored the most goals from direct free kicks, with 101 goals including friendlies, among which 62 verified in official games (8th of all time).^[7][8]

In 1999, Zico came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote, and in 2004 was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.^[9][10] As stated by Pelé himself, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".^[11] He was chosen as the 1981^[12] and 1983 Player of the Year.

With 48 goals in 71 official appearances for Brazil, Zico is the fifth highest goalscorer for his national team.^[13] He represented Brazil in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. They did not win any of those tournaments, even though the 1982 squad is considered one of the greatest Brazilian national squads ever.^[14] He is widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian never to win the World Cup.

Zico has coached the Japan national team, appearing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and winning the 2004 Asian Cup, and Fenerbahçe, who were a quarter-finalist in 2007–08 in the Champions League under his command. He has also coached CSKA Moscow, Olympiacos,^[15] and the Iraq national team.^[16] He works as technical director at Kashima Antlers.