Quotes from Zico

Sometimes a team plays very well but doesn't manage to score, while another team comes and scores. But then, that's how football is.

My father taught me to love Flamengo, which has always been my second home.

Brazilian football has always been very much admired in Japan and, of course, after my participation and so many other Brazilians, it was like they created a new style of play in homage to Brazilian football.

My only dream was to wear the number ten shirt of Flamengo. Since then I have just taken things as they have come to me.

When Brazil take part in any competition they must always play to win.

I have always said that to manage Brazil I would have to be managing in Brazil first.

I am a Brazilian and only support our team.

I prefer to win a game and lose other 2 rather than draw 3 games. Both cases you get 3 points.

A lot of people talk about what the 1982 team did on the pitch but that side was so dear to Brazilian fans also because it featured players that supporters would see in flesh and bone on a regular basis, either at games or even on the streets. Now they basically only see the Selecao on the TV.

When God built Pele, he put everything that a player needs in him. He knew how to shoot, how to dribble, how to head, be physical. He had everything that a football player needs to have. It's difficult for someone to achieve what he has in football.

Maradona is among the best five players I've ever seen: Garrincha, Pele, Diego, Cruijff and Beckenbauer.

Football is a collective game, not an individual game.

India has a population of over 1 billion people. There is place for all sports and for sure there is space for football.

I've always done everything with love and dedication, thinking of the best for the club and the fans.

Brazilian boys as young as 14 and 15 are now based in Europe. They spend their best years in Europe and come back to Brazil when they are past their prime. This has destroyed local clubs and championships.

When I went to Japan, I was with Kashima Antlers. Very good results were produced with that team as I aimed to develop Japanese football.

Difficulty is when you go to a place where the people don't like you, they put a burden on you like what happened to me in Olympiakos.

There is nothing wrong in losing with dignity, it is a part of the game.

Tactically, technically, physically, mentally he was the best. A lot of things that I learnt was from Pele's sticker albums: how to head, how to shoot the ball. It was like a step-by-step guide. I learnt from Pele as a kid.

Profit and fame will not develop Indian football. Professionals, technique development, legacy specialists, and experts in football business, will develop India as football country.

In Japan, when I went there, there was no professionalism at all. But the biggest advantage was that everyone was united and wanted to progress from amateur football to professional.

In my days, players were only thinking about publicity during holiday and on rest days.

The history of Brazil goes from Pele to Garrincha, Didi, Tostao, Gerson, then to all of us who followed them.

Maradona, if the ball came from his right, he would turn and would use his left foot, because he did not use his right. But he did use his right hand.