Falcão

The Eighth King of Rome — Falcão's five seasons at AS Roma in the early 1980s were among the finest individual performances by any player in Italian football history, earning him a second nickname that acknowledged the popular reverence of the Roman public. As the central midfielder of Brazil's 1982 World Cup team, his partnership with Zico, Sócrates and Cerezo in a side playing the most spectacular football the tournament had seen made him one of the most admired players of his generation globally. His tactical intelligence, range of passing and decisive goal-scoring at the highest levels of the game were without parallel among defensive midfielders of his era

Football at the highest level rewards technical mastery, physical conditioning and the mental fortitude to perform consistently across a long and unrelenting career. Career highlights included Serie A 1983 (Roma), Copa América, 34 Brazil caps. Falcão embodied the kind of complete athlete that football produces only rarely — technically accomplished, physically prepared and mentally equipped for the full demands of elite competition. The longevity and quality of Falcão's achievements place them firmly among the most respected figures in the modern history of football. Falcão's achievements in football were built on technical discipline, physical preparation and competitive commitment that allowed performance to be maintained at the very top across multiple seasons. The dedication required to perform consistently in football at international level defined every aspect of Falcão's approach to the sport.

Deep-lying playmaker with exceptional passing range and tactical intelligence

Considered one of Brazil's greatest midfielders and a Roma legend

• Serie A 1983 (Roma)
• Copa América
• 34 Brazil caps
• Copa América 1979

Club Career

Club	Period	Apps	Goals	Shirt
Internacional	1973–1980	234	32	#10
Roma	1980–1985	165	31	—
São Paulo	1986–1988	100	15	—
Brazil	—	34	6	—