He was called the White Pele but declares very emphatically, “I’m Zico,” ending all debate. As a young footballer, the tenacity and understanding of football is refined and almost psychic for Goa FC chief coach and manager Zico. Arthur Antunes Coimbra is an old hand at the prowess of the beautilful game. And even when Goa FC’s fortunes took a dip in the early stages of the ISL, he was like a rock, sticking to game plans, formations and gut feelings even as criticism flew helter- skelter. The older, wiser Zico is as passionate as he is quiet. And as Goa FC takes to the ISL, winning the past few matches, the man with the lucid eyes rejoices, yelps on field. Yes, football is where his energy and belief are most pronounced.
Sticking to his instinct, Zico is unapologetic. “When we keep the same team and formation, we get results. We have been playing more compact, and the trials and errors are much less, that’s why we are getting results. If we continue to play the way we are, we can manage to finish in the first place,” says the Brazilian.
Recalling his younger years as a playmaker, he says, “The moments that were most memorable were being on the field with Socrates and Falcao. They were the greatest players I have played with.” In 2004, Zico was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. He has represented Brazil in the 1978,1982 and 1986 World Cups but the 1982 squad was considered one of the greatest Brazilian national squads though people can’t fathom why he never won the World Cup.
Playing with greats leaves its indelible imprint, and he is a storehouse experience. “I have been spending time with the team as it helps me understand their strengths and weaknesses. We are training hard, and the team is bonding well. My objective is clear — to reach the finals and win,” Zico reveals. India is not really a footballing nation and the ISL has brought in many reputed names, but grass-roots foundation is lacking. Zico agrees that there is great talent in India, “It is important to develop football at the grass-roots level, a good academy is required as it is critical in development of football. A player needs to learn the basics at an early age — techniques and skills. ISL and FC Goa look to develop football at the grassroots level by providing facilities for kids,” he adds.
Brazil and Goa have similar passions and Zico says, “Goa is a very beautiful place but I don’t get a chance to explore, my focus is football and only football. This is how football is. Everybody has lot of expectations. We have to work towards meeting them,” he adds. On the refereeing at the ISL, he is candid, "No complaints. However, in general around the world, I don’t agree with the role of the line referee. His role is not to tell when it is a foul, but to help the main referee with off-sides."
His wife, Sandra Carvalho de Sá, was in Goa, “My wife came to Goa and has been watching the team play and win. I am really happy to have her here,” he adds in a rare moment of candour. His hobbies, we ask, “I have been too busy with football. There are a lot of expectations. I have come with one objective — to win,” which settles many a Goa FC fans’ nerves. According to Zico, his favourite young player is Colombian James Rodrigues who got the most goals at the Brazil World Cup 2014 (Six) and also the most beautiful — where he stopped the ball, letting it bounce of his chest and proceeded to wow crowds. We couldn’t agree more.
About Brazil’s World Cup performance he says, “What Brazil is missing, is creativity. When I was a player, the passion was immense. Pele took that passion even further. The present team lacks creativity but the players are good in tactical knowledge,” says the coach. Times have changed, Zico is the first to agree, “There is a lot of difference in playing and training now. Today, the players have agents, assistants, managers, one has to coordinate with all of them.” No guesses on who his favourite footballer is — Pele. “There is no doubt that he is the greatest-ever. He knew how to shoot, how to dribble, how to head, be physical. He had everything that a football player needed to have. It’s difficult for someone to achieve what he has in football.”
Football has taught Zico the importance of teamwork. Prod him about himself, and he laughs, “I am very reserved person. There are many things people don’t know about me.”
