Corinthians carried a banner onto the pitch in 1983 reading "Win or lose, but always with democracy", the work of their captain, who had the squad voting on its own decisions while Brazil was still run by generals. He captained the 1982 side in Spain, was voted South American Footballer of the Year in 1983, won three Paulista titles with Corinthians, scored 22 goals in 60 games for Brazil, and qualified as a doctor before he turned professional. Career record: 60 caps and 22 goals for Brazil; club career at Botafogo Futebol Clube, S.C. Corinthians Paulista, ACF Fiorentina.
| 1974–1978 | Botafogo Futebol Clube |
| 1978–1984 | S.C. Corinthians Paulista |
| 1984–1985 | ACF Fiorentina |
| 1986–1987 | Clube de Regatas do Flamengo |
| 1988–1989 | Santos |
| 1989–1989 | Botafogo Futebol Clube |
| 2004–2004 | Garforth Town A.F.C. |
| — | Torredonjimeno CF |
| Brazil | 60 caps, 22 goals |
One rank above: Nílton Santos at #11.
One rank below: Cafu at #13.
Brazil's editorial top five: Pelé · Garrincha · Ronaldinho · Ronaldo Nazário · Romário.