Brazilian · Viamão, Brazil · Born 2 October 1953The 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
Paulo Roberto Falcão was the creative heartbeat of Roma's 1983 Serie A title-winning side, a deep-lying playmaker whose vision and passing range made him one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. He won the Copa América with Brazil in 1979 and was a key figure in the celebrated but ultimately unsuccessful 1982 World Cup squad, one of the most fondly remembered teams never to win the tournament, and later managed both club and international sides in Brazil.
Leading Brazil's golden midfield in the 1982 World Cup
How They Played
Deep-lying playmaker with exceptional passing range and tactical intelligence
Lasting Impact
Considered one of Brazil's greatest midfielders and a Roma legend
Career Honours
- Serie A 1983 (Roma)
- Copa América
- 34 Brazil caps
- Copa América 1979
| 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 | — |
Brazilian Athletes